An-225 Mriya

The massive six-engine Antonov An-225 Mriya, NATO referred to by Cossack codename, is the world's largest aircraft produced ever. It was developed to provide highly demanding strategic airlift capability to the Soviet Air Force that couldn't be achieved by the four-engine An-124 Ruslan. Thus, the An-225 aircraft is able to carry payloads larger in size and heavier than the Ruslan. The An-225 is larger than the An-124 tactical transport aircraft. Its airframe evolved from the proven An-124 cargo aircraft despite externally it seems to be a completely distinct aircraft. It is powered by six engines instead of four and retains the double-deck layout from the An-124 with a more spacious lower deck compartment for wider, large-sized cargo. It is capable of airlifting payloads weighing up to 250 tons, conduct non-stop continental flights carrying between 180 and 200 tons of cargo or intercontinental flights carrying up to 150 tons. In addition, the An-225 can carry single piece payloads of up to 200 tons on the outside of the fuselage such as the Buran space shuttle. The huge pressurized cargo compartment in the lower deck is 43 meters in length, 6.4 meters width, and 4.4 meters height. The cargo compartment also includes cargo handling system and the front ramp for easy loading/unloading operations. Special cargo can be attached to the fuselage increasing the airlift options for this tactical aircraft. To date, the An-225 has been employed for commercial airlift missions operated by an Ukraine-based agency related to Antonov. The Antonov company along with Ukraine and Russia are studying the possibility of converting the An-225 into a flying launch platform for future aerospace systems. The flying launch platform will allow to achieve costs reduction of the payloads orbital injections.

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