AICC and Antonov to Resurrect and Modernize An-225

[Beast]

China is trying to expand its military reach with the biggest plane in the world
ALEX LOCKIE
SEP 9, 2016, 5:15 AM

View attachment 333982
The biggest cargo plane in the world, the An-225 Mriya.​

A recent deal between Beijing and Ukraine’s Antonov Company to restart production of the largest-ever cargo plane could potentially remedy the logistical woes of China’s People’s Liberation Army.

China’s military, still largely dependent on railroads for moving troops and heavy freight, could gain a lot from having the gigantic aircraft.

The plane, the AN-225 Mriya, holds 240 world records for its size and strength. It has six massive engines creating over 300,000 pounds of thrust, and the plane can reportedly carry a 200-ton load nearly 2,500 miles.

Such capability would be game-changing for the People’s Republic of China.

“It would provide China with the large and global lift that not even the US has possessed, except by rental,” wrote Peter Singer, an avid China watcher on Popular Science. “It’s large enough to carry helicopters, tanks, artillery, even other aircraft.”

For the most part, as Singer mentioned, China will rent the massive planes, but the agreement does allow for China to domestically build An-225s.

Additionally, the Center for Strategic and International Studies uncovered the fact that China has been developing large, military-grade runways, as well as military hardened hangars on it’s reclaimed islands in the South China Sea. Having massively improved freight dynamics in the region could greatly benefit China.

But the herculean plane lends itself to civil applications too. China could easily use it to move construction supplies, to offload its glut of steel, or to bring supplies to its several building projects as part of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative.

As Marcus Weisgerber at DefenseOne points out, the adoption of old, soviet-era technology from Ukraine is an instance of history repeating itself, as China’s sole aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, is also a refurbished Ukrainian hull.

China is going to buy one and not as some kind of military expansion as suggested by the author. Plus how is it going to land in highland plateau like Tibet? These gigantic plane can only land on few selected runaway and is very delicate. It is very difficult to achieve the kind of strategic value as it suggest. Y-20 is better, it can fit almost most of PLA equipment and can almost land on ill prepare runaway , meaning nearer to it intended target.

It doesn't has the payload of An-225 but can compensate by having more. An-225 by being too big is very high maintenance and delicate. Ask the USAF, their experience with C-5 galaxy is a nightmare. The plane spend most of the time in repairing , maintenance than operation.

 

[Economic superpower]

China is going to buy one and not as some kind of military expansion as suggested by the author. Plus how is it going to land in highland plateau like Tibet? These gigantic plane can only land on few selected runaway and is very delicate. It is very difficult to achieve the kind of strategic value as it suggest. Y-20 is better, it can fit almost most of PLA equipment and can almost land on ill prepare runaway , meaning nearer to it intended target.

It doesn't has the payload of An-225 but can compensate by having more. An-225 by being too big is very high maintenance and delicate. Ask the USAF, their experience with C-5 galaxy is a nightmare. The plane spend most of the time in repairing , maintenance than operation.

The Y-20 is 66 tons payload. C-17 is 77 tons payload. Not sure why China settled for 11 ton less carrying capacity than C-17.

China need a C-5/An-124 like super heavy transport.

 

[monitor]

China Will Resurrect The World's Largest Plane


Signs deal to restart Ukrainian An-225

By Jeffrey Lin and P.W. Singer September 7, 2016

Antonov

An-225

The An-225, which can carry 250 tons of cargo, is the world's heaviest aircraft. China buying and building An-225s would exponentially increase its power projection capabilities not just in Asia, but across the world.

On August 30, members of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AICC) and the Antonov Corporation, the leading Ukrainian aviation company, signed an agreement to restart production of the AN-225, the world's largest cargo aircraft.

Antonov

To Space

The An-225's large size was the result of its initial mission to transport the massive Soviet Buran space shuttle, which could weigh up to 105 tons, to launch. Unrealized Soviet planes also intended for the An-225 to launch other reusable space launch systems in mid air.

The 640 ton, six engine An-225 is the world's largest aircraft. Measuring at 84 meters in length and a wingspan of over 88 meters, it carries a world record payload of 250 tons (to put this into comparison, it can carry around 300,000 lbs more than the US military's Boeing made C-17). The sole operational An-225 began flying in 1988, initially carrying the Soviet Buran, a 105 ton reusable spaceplane, on its back. It was put into storage after the Soviet collapse, but restored and put into commercial service in 2002. Since then it has been rented out, flying super heavy cargos like gas and wind turbines, as well as military supplies for NATO forces in the Middle East.

Ivchenko Progress

D-18T

The powerful Ivchenko Progress D-18T turbofan, which produces 23 tons of thrust, will also be license produced by China to power domestically built An-225, and possibly other Chinese heavy transport aircraft.

The first phase of the agreement between AICC and Antonov will result in the completion and flight of the incomplete second An-225 in 2019. The second stage of the project will involve the complete transfer of technology, including the 23 ton thrust Progress D-18T turbofan engines, to China, for licensed production of a modernized version in Sichuan Province.

=GT at China Defense Forum

3325

3325 is the first of China's domestically built Zubr armed hovercraft, commissioned in early 2014. Weighing over 400 tons fully loaded, it can carry three battle tanks or company of armed soldiers. Presaging the An-225 deal, China purchased Ukrainian built Zubrs, as well as domestically building Zubrs at Chinese shipyard under license produciton.

Despite China's close relationship with Russia, Ukraine's rival, China has purchased outright and licensed a number of Ukrainian aviation and naval platforms, such as the ex Varyag aircraft carrier, the Zubr hovercraft and the An-178. Antonov itself has also provided design and technical advice for the Chinese ARJ-21 region jetliner and Y-20 heavy transport aircraft.

CCTV

Forward Sino-Ukrainian Relations

The official announcement and signing of the understanding to restart the An-225 production line was given high support by the Chinese government, despite the official Chinese partner, AICC, being relatively undersized compared to the AVIC industrial giant.

With the ceremony signed in the Diaoyu state guesthouse in Beijing, and presence of senior government officials, it is clear that there is strong government support for China for this deal. While AICC itself is a relatively small company, it could leverage its government connections to draw heavily on aviation giant AVIC's extensive Sichuan production base.

Antonov

Waiting for 2019

With much of the fuselage structurally complete, the second An-225 will have its wings, engines and avionics integrated on in the next three years before being handed over to China in 2019. Compared to the first An-225, it has a rear mounted cargo door and single tail, suggesting a greater emphasis on transporting internal cargo, compared to its Buran space shuttle carrying older brother.

Finishing the second An-225 by 2019 is an achievable goal, given that the airframe is already 60-70 percent complete. AICC will likely provide the majority of $300 million needed to complete the aircraft. Assuming that the second phase of the deal is completed, a completely Chinese version of the An-225 could begin first flights in the mid 2020s.

Ukrainian Internet

Belly of the Mriya

In addition to carrying space shuttles, the An-225 could carry multiple tanks, such as these four main battle tanks. A Chinese An-225 could not only carry a platoon of China's latest heavy tanks, but also other military cargo like missile launchers and heavy artillery.

For China, the An-225 would open whole new frontiers in commercial and military air transportation. A fleet of civilian An-225s could quickly ship heavy and bulky cargoes of massive scale, ranging from construction equipment to consumer goods. For humanitarian purposes, the An-225 could support disaster relief operations, able to fly in not just large amounts of aid, but also by bringing infrastructure like power generation and water treatment that are normally too big for airlift.

On the military front, the An-225 would provide China with the kind of large and global lift that not even the US has possessed, except by rental. The plane is large enough to carry helicopters, tanks, artillery and ballistic missiles to anywhere in the world, or even other aircraft like smaller fighter jets. The An-225's unparalleled payload could even make it a space launch platform, or the ultimate mothership for drone operations. In many ways, China's build up of global airlift capabilities mirrors the immense gains it has made in global sealift, investing deeply to reach across the globe in coming year.

 

[Aero]

So USAF order C-27J Spartan from Italy

USAF no longer taking C-27J and all USAF aircraft are being diverted to Coast Guard/Forest Service extras.
New orders directly going to Storage in Arizona
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/10/07/new-air-force-planes-go-directly-to-boneyard.html

 

[Ultima Thule]

USAF no longer taking C-27J and all USAF aircraft are being diverted to Coast Guard/Forest Service extras.
New orders directly going to Storage in Arizona
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/10/07/new-air-force-planes-go-directly-to-boneyard.html

what the fcuk your post is irrelevant to the thread @Deino please delete his post

 

[zestokryl]

Have a look to this. Source is Antonov employee, who happened to be appearing on some internet discussions under nickname "leutenant" ...

Antonov and chinese company «Beijing A-Star Aerospace Technology Co» concluded two contracts. First is for delivery of two An 178s and the second is for manufacturing 40 plane kits with ensuing delivery and assembly in China

Searching engines fail to come with some results, mentioning chinese company name. But other sources, say such a company is registered in China, but there are no activity traces

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2197311.html

 

[Pepsi Cola]

Have a look to this. Source is Antonov employee, who happened to be appearing on some internet discussions under nickname "leutenant" ...

Antonov and chinese company «Beijing A-Star Aerospace Technology Co» concluded two contracts. First is for delivery of two An 178s and the second is for manufacturing 40 plane kits with ensuing delivery and assembly in China

Searching engines fail to come with some results, mentioning chinese company name. But other sources, say such a company is registered in China, but there are no activity traces

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2197311.html

http://www.popsci.com/chinese-company-bets-ukrainian-cargo-plane

 

[beijingwalker]

China to develop 'modern' version of the legendary Antonov An-225 in bid to use the world's biggest plane to launch satellites

• China signed an agreement with Antonov Airlines, maker of the An-225, to use the planes to launch satellites
• But, China said it would 'modernize' the design in order to incorporate heavy lifting capabilities
• Would place a satellite on the back of an An-225 and launch it from no more than seven miles in the air

By Stacy Liberatore For Dailymail.com
PUBLISHED: 22:05 BST, 9 May 2017 | UPDATED: 23:08 BST, 9 May 2017

It has been called the 'the largest and heaviest cargo plane in the world' and now, the legendary Antonov An-225 Mriya aircraft could soon take on a new mission.

The Airspace Industry Corporation of China (AICC) signed an agreement with the plane's creator, which, if approved, will allow the organization to design its own fleet that would launch commercial satellites into orbit.

However, the aerospace and defense firm would 'modernize' the craft in a fashion that would provide it with heavy lifting capabilities that could be 'greater than that of the US military'.

It has been called the 'the largest and heaviest cargo plane in the world' and now, the legendary Antonov An-225 Mriya aircraft could soon take on a new mission. The Airspace Industry Corporation of China (AICC) signed an agreement with the plane's creator, which will allow the organization to design its own fleet that would launch commercial satellites into orbit

'The initial idea and early stage research of the An-225 started in 2009,' the president of AICC, Zhang Yousheng told Christian Borys with BBC Future.

'The official contact with Antonov began in 2011, and then from 2013 to 2016 was the acceleration phase of this project.'

Yousheng continued to explain to BBC that the program is working on a strategy that places a satellite on the back of an An-225 and launches it from no more than seven miles (12,000m) in the air.

If successful, this method would 'greatly reduce launch costs,' he told BBC.

Designed and built in Ukraine in the 1980s by the Antonov Corporation, the massive craft measures 275 feet (84 meters) long, with a 288-foot (88 meters) wingspan - almost twice the width of a traditional football field.

And it is capable of carrying a payload equivalent to ten battle tanks or some 418,000 pounds (189,601 kg).

Without a load, the colossal An-225 Mriya (Ukrainian for 'dream') can fly for up to 18 hours without stopping to refuel, but it also costs about $30,000 an hour to operate the massive plane.

The organization would place a satellite on the back of an An-225 and launches it no greater than seven miles (12,000m) in the air. This is a similar method that was used when the An-225 was launching he Soviet Buran space shuttle, which was a massive 105 ton reusable spaceplane, and Energia rocket's boosters

However, the aerospace and defense firm would 'modernize' the craft in a fashion that would provide it with heavy lifting capabilities that could be 'greater than that of the US military'


However, China is not looking to purchase an existing An-225, but wants to use the concept with a modern twist in order to make its way into the satellite launch industry – which is worth more than $200 billion.

The An-225 was originally developed to transport the Soviet Buran space shuttle, which was a massive 105 ton reusable spaceplane, and Energia rocket's boosters.

But following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1994, the An-225 was retired to storage where it sat until 2013 when Russia announced its plans to revive its air launch projects.

And then China approached them with their deal in 2016.

However, earlier this year, it was also revealed that the plane's Ukrainian operators wanted to expand their presences in the UK and the wider West after breaking ties with Russia.

Designed and built in Ukraine in the 1980s by the Antonov Corporation, the massive craft measures 275 feet (84 meters) long, with a 288-foot (88 meters) wingspan - almost twice the width of a traditional football field. And it is capable of carrying a payload equivalent to ten battle tanks or some 418,000 pounds (189,601 kg)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...t-plane-set-help-China-launch-satellites.html

 

[Stuttgart001]

It is part of China's space project.

 

[Shotgunner51]

It is part of China's space project.

Yes, that's highly possible as some sources suggest, and is a private-sector business. Quotes from BBC source:

• In 2016, the Airspace Industry Corporation of China (AICC), a privately-owned aerospace and defense company, signed a cooperation agreement with Antonov for the An-225 programme. “The initial idea and early stage research of the An-225 started in 2009,” the president of AICC, Zhang Yousheng tells BBC Future. “The official contact with Antonov began in 2011, and then from 2013 to 2016 was the acceleration phase of this project.”

• The Chinese company isn’t interested in purchasing the existing airworthy An-225. They have spent the past several years studying the feasibility of modernising the only other An-225, an unfinished airframe that has sat inside a hangar at Antonov’s giant corporate campus in downtown Kyiv for the past 30 years. This aircraft, when modernised, could give China a heavy lift capability that surpasses any other nation in the world.

• Heavy lift is not the only capability they’re after though. “The An-225 can be equipped with spacecraft to high altitude, and can launch commercial satellites at any height below 12,000m,” Zhang tells the BBC. “Its launch time is flexible, accurate, and can quickly send the satellite into intended orbit, which greatly reduces launch costs.” The Chinese are aiming to make their way into the lucrative satellite launch industry, which doubled revenue from 2006 to 2015, according to figures provided by AICC.

• http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20170503-the-worlds-biggest-plane-may-have-a-new-mission

 

[52051]

Have a look to this. Source is Antonov employee, who happened to be appearing on some internet discussions under nickname "leutenant" ...

Antonov and chinese company «Beijing A-Star Aerospace Technology Co» concluded two contracts. First is for delivery of two An 178s and the second is for manufacturing 40 plane kits with ensuing delivery and assembly in China

Searching engines fail to come with some results, mentioning chinese company name. But other sources, say such a company is registered in China, but there are no activity traces

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2197311.html

Actually I have one relative who is in the industry and happen to know the boss of this Chinese company's beijing office.

The Chinese company is a private-owned company, not a state-owned one, and it is jointly funded by several rich Chinese businessmen and some Chinese hedge funds/venture captial firms.Because aero/air industry are one of the key areas China state want to invest (there are at least 5-10 "critical state project" sponorsed by government in these area, and "critical state project" in China means basically you can access to unlimited amout of resource), so it is not surprising that rich businessmen in China try to take a piece of cake from it.For them, co-operative with Antonov is good start.

 

[帅的一匹]

I don't think China wants to send tanks and helicopters for quick intervention in foreign countries. Thus there is no need for military requirement of such large airlifted as AN-225.

Though having know how to building of large transport jet may help China to built new aircraft far larger than Y20.

Y20 can do all air lifting for home land defence from Liaoning to Tibet. Tanks and helicopters can reach hot spots quickly from current military bases.

For commercial purpose, it can transport large sacle products.

But why the An-225 ? ... The An-124 would make much more sense?

I think A124 is similar to Y20?

Ukraine is China's best buddy.

 

[Stuttgart001]

For commercial purpose, it can transport large sacle products.

The main use of Soviet Union for An-225 was to carry the space shuttle . Now China has a similar incentive .

I think A124 is similar to Y20?

Ukraine is China's best buddy.

A-124 is much bigger than Y-20 which is on a par with C-17.

 

[帅的一匹]

The main use of Soviet Union for An-225 was to carry the space shuttle . Now China has a similar incentive .


A-124 is much bigger than Y-20 which is on a par with C-17.

Same story goes again like Vayag, commercial shit?

 

[cirr]

China to develop 'modern' version of the legendary Antonov An-225 in bid to use the world's biggest plane to launch satellites

• China signed an agreement with Antonov Airlines, maker of the An-225, to use the planes to launch satellites
• But, China said it would 'modernize' the design in order to incorporate heavy lifting capabilities
• Would place a satellite on the back of an An-225 and launch it from no more than seven miles in the air

By Stacy Liberatore For Dailymail.com

PUBLISHED: 22:05 BST, 9 May 2017 | UPDATED: 23:08 BST, 9 May 2017

It has been called the 'the largest and heaviest cargo plane in the world' and now, the legendary Antonov An-225 Mriya aircraft could soon take on a new mission.

The Airspace Industry Corporation of China (AICC) signed an agreement with the plane's creator, which, if approved, will allow the organization to design its own fleet that would launch commercial satellites into orbit.

However, the aerospace and defense firm would 'modernize' the craft in a fashion that would provide it with heavy lifting capabilities that could be 'greater than that of the US military'.

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It has been called the 'the largest and heaviest cargo plane in the world' and now, the legendary Antonov An-225 Mriya aircraft could soon take on a new mission. The Airspace Industry Corporation of China (AICC) signed an agreement with the plane's creator, which will allow the organization to design its own fleet that would launch commercial satellites into orbit

'The initial idea and early stage research of the An-225 started in 2009,' the president of AICC, Zhang Yousheng told Christian Borys with BBC Future.

'The official contact with Antonov began in 2011, and then from 2013 to 2016 was the acceleration phase of this project.'

Yousheng continued to explain to BBC that the program is working on a strategy that places a satellite on the back of an An-225 and launches it from no more than seven miles (12,000m) in the air.

If successful, this method would 'greatly reduce launch costs,' he told BBC.

Designed and built in Ukraine in the 1980s by the Antonov Corporation, the massive craft measures 275 feet (84 meters) long, with a 288-foot (88 meters) wingspan - almost twice the width of a traditional football field.

And it is capable of carrying a payload equivalent to ten battle tanks or some 418,000 pounds (189,601 kg).

Without a load, the colossal An-225 Mriya (Ukrainian for 'dream') can fly for up to 18 hours without stopping to refuel, but it also costs about $30,000 an hour to operate the massive plane.

The organization would place a satellite on the back of an An-225 and launches it no greater than seven miles (12,000m) in the air. This is a similar method that was used when the An-225 was launching he Soviet Buran space shuttle, which was a massive 105 ton reusable spaceplane, and Energia rocket's boosters

However, the aerospace and defense firm would 'modernize' the craft in a fashion that would provide it with heavy lifting capabilities that could be 'greater than that of the US military'

However, China is not looking to purchase an existing An-225, but wants to use the concept with a modern twist in order to make its way into the satellite launch industry – which is worth more than $200 billion.

The An-225 was originally developed to transport the Soviet Buran space shuttle, which was a massive 105 ton reusable spaceplane, and Energia rocket's boosters.

But following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1994, the An-225 was retired to storage where it sat until 2013 when Russia announced its plans to revive its air launch projects.

And then China approached them with their deal in 2016.

However, earlier this year, it was also revealed that the plane's Ukrainian operators wanted to expand their presences in the UK and the wider West after breaking ties with Russia.

Designed and built in Ukraine in the 1980s by the Antonov Corporation, the massive craft measures 275 feet (84 meters) long, with a 288-foot (88 meters) wingspan - almost twice the width of a traditional football field. And it is capable of carrying a payload equivalent to ten battle tanks or some 418,000 pounds (189,601 kg)

Earlier this year, it was also revealed that the plane's Ukrainian operators wanted to expand their presences in the UK and the wider West after breaking ties with Russia

Michael Goodisman, from the Antonov Airlines UK office, told Graeme Paton of The Times: 'This is all about Antonov's desire to engage with the West . . . and develop a closer relationship with the UK.'

The company opened their base in Stansted in January, and mainly used a fleet of seven An-124s, which have four engines rather than eight, for its regular operations.

Its sole An-225 has made 11 trips to the UK using airports including RAF Brize Norton, Manchester, Prestwick and Doncaster-Sheffield.

The company opened their base (pictured) in Stansted in January, and mainly used a fleet of seven An-124s, which have four engines rather than eight, for its regular operations

Antonov Airlines opened their base in Stansted in January, and mainly used a fleet of seven An-124s, which have four engines rather than eight, for its regular operations

The electric generator was picked up from the Czech Republic in May 2015 and delivered to an aluminium-ore mining company in western Australia, where it will be used to power large drills and excavating machinery.

The plane also made an appearance in Australia in May 2016, with tens of thousands of fans cheering on as massive plane hit the tarmac in Perth.

More than 15,000 people gathered in a temporary viewing area on Airport Drive, giving them a perfect view as the 600-tonne beast came into land.

The sheer size of the An-225 was breathtaking, with the click of camera shutters audible over the roar of the six engines as it taxied past,' Perth Airport spokeswoman Fiona Lander said.

Never before has the An-225 made its way to Australia and the people of Perth made the most of its visit today.'

Its sole An-225 has made 11 trips to the UK using airports including RAF Brize Norton, Manchester, Prestwick and Doncaster-Sheffield

Without a load, the colossal aircraft can fly for up to 18 hours without stopping to refuel, but it also costs about $30,000 an hour to operate the massive plane.

The Antonov An-225 has twice the wing area of a Boeing 747, and its wingspan spreads the width of nearly two football fields


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...lp-China-launch-satellites.html#ixzz4gwhPsrIM
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