After the Ruslan aircraft were exhibited at the traditional international Paris air show in 1985 and 1986, it became clear how Soviet designers had advanced far in creating super-heavy airliners.
Serial versions of this high-wing plan have 405 tons of take-off weight and cruising speed - up to 850 km / h.
Aircraft "Ruslan", considered the largest representatives of military transport aviation around the world, developed in the Design Bureau named. Antonova in Ukraine. The maximum range of their flights is sixteen and a half thousand kilometers.
To provide the An-124 with the highest possible speed, the designers for the first time created a rather thick arrow-shaped wing with a flatter upper “bow”. Aerodynamic perfection, which is considered one of the main characteristics of this airliner, is obtained thanks to the careful refinement of the tail fuselage, landing gear fairings and wing laps.
The Ruslan long-range heavy military and transport aircraft were originally intended for the transport of troops, full-time armored vehicles and weapons, as well as for parachute cargo landing. They can transport ballistic missiles, tanks and other heavy military equipment.
Ruslan airplanes were created using not only the most advanced technologies, but also composite materials. The equipment complex, on-board automatic control systems for the technical condition of the systems, two power auxiliary units, electric generators and turbopumps are designed to ensure autonomy during operation of the high-plan.
A few words about engines
Engines equipped with Ruslan aircraft have the ability to both start separately, and if necessary, simultaneously. In addition to manual control, each of them is equipped with an electronic system, using which the crew has the opportunity, even in very bad weather, to land both in automatic and semi-automatic modes.
To reduce the loss of aerodynamics during balancing, the An-124 Ruslan aircraft is arranged in the rear centering range. For this, all the capabilities of modern automation and electronics were used.
With the help of an automated helm loading, friction during the elevator operation was practically removed. This allows the crew to precisely fix its predetermined balancing position and to fly with one hand throughout the flight.
The developers paid great attention to the convenience of transporting goods. Ruslan aircraft load quickly and conveniently. They can carry bridge structures and long farms, small river vessels and drilling equipment.
An-124 cargo compartment has a length of thirty-six and a half, and a width of almost seven meters.
Self-propelled equipment drives into the front, and is unloaded through the rear hatches. For stationary loads, a ten-ton bridge crane on board is used. Interestingly, when using such a system, the Ruslan cargo plane, as it were, performs squats, which experts jokingly call the “elephant dance”.
According to the tradition already established at Antonov Design Bureau, flight safety of the An-124 has become the most important task. Therefore, Ruslan aircraft have such power structures and a propulsion system that they can continue to take off when one engine fails, horizontal flight - two engines, and landing - non-motorized.