The largest aircraft is the Airlander 10 hybrid airship, manufactured by a British company called Hybrid Air Vehicles. It was created specifically for the US Army. And the American military-industrial company known as Northrop Grumman Corporation directly participated in the project itself. However, about everything - in order.
Characteristics
The largest aircraft embodied the useful qualities of an aerostat (an aircraft is lighter than air) and an airplane. Therefore, this airship is a kind of symbiosis. It uses lift to reach a certain height, after which it moves through the air thanks to helium.
The weight of this airship is 10,000 kilograms. Its length reaches 92 meters, its height is 26 m, and its width is 43.5 m. The take-off weight is 20,000 kilograms.
The largest aircraft is powered by four turbocharged 4-liter V8 engines. They consume diesel fuel. Each of them produces 325 liters. with. The cruising speed of the airship is 148 km / h. The flight lasts 5 days in manned mode. If there is no pilot in the airship, then the period will increase to 2 weeks.
History of creation
The largest aircraft is designed to carry out reconnaissance, surveillance and reconnaissance of ground forces. The project began to develop in 2010, June 14. The airship was built quite quickly - already in 2012, on August 7, the first test flight was organized. It happened in the state of New Jersey, in the city of Lakehurst. On board during the flight, which lasted an hour and a half, was the crew.
Then something strange happened. The US Army in February 2013 decided to abandon the project, because it seemed too expensive. Well, Hybrid Air Vehicles decided to buy it back. They paid $ 301,000 for this. Ho only in 2014, the largest aircraft in the world got its name. It was then that Airlander and took his place on the basis of the Royal BBC (in Bedfordshire, by the way). It was decided to use the ship for civilian purposes.
Interesting Facts
It is worth noting that the largest aircraft in the world in March of this year, 2016, was released in a new version. The latest version received an entertainment destination. The first copy, it was decided to call "Martha Guin." This name, by the way, belongs to the wife of the head of company management. The airship first left the hangar in August, that is, literally a couple of months ago. And on the 17th, Airlander 10 made its debut flight, which lasted 19 minutes.
As can be seen from the photographs presented, the largest aircraft in Britain (and in the whole world too) has a very ambiguous and original form, which asks to be commented on. And even representatives of the company, the creator of the project, have a humorous attitude towards their creation. Moreover, on their own site they eagerly mention a nickname that sounds like Flying Bum. Translated literally as "flying ass." But it really looks like in appearance.
About the crash
At the end of August of this year, 2016, the headline rattled in many media: “The largest aircraft crashed!” Naturally, almost no one was indifferent. But it turned out that there was only the fall of the largest aircraft in the world. When did it happen? August 24, to be specified. And even this is hard to call a fall. There is a video on which everything is perfectly visible. The vessel at minimum speed gently rests its bow against the ground, slightly repelling as a result of this. After which it “swims” for about 200 meters and stops.
The fact is that during landing, the balloon nacelle was damaged. This is the airship control cabin, in which the crew and control devices are located. Ho the fall of the largest aircraft turned into global news. And of course, everyone was interested in this. Moreover, information that the largest aircraft crashed was published on the official website of the British Air Force. By the way, the reason was also noted there. It turns out that during the test flight the airship ... crashed into a telegraph pole. Due to this trouble and the subsequent entry of the ship into the ground, serious damage affected the bow of the aircraft hybrid.
An-225 "Mriya"
Well, the UK really surprised everyone. The largest aircraft looks truly huge and intimidating. Ho now, I would like to point out the An-225 Mriya, which is many times more powerful than an airship. This is the largest aircraft in the world. Also characterized by maximum load capacity. It was designed from 1984 to 1988 at the Kiev Mechanical Plant. Initially, two models were designed. And one of them is still operated by the cargo company Antonov Airlines.
The aircraft is 84 meters long and 18.2 m high. The wingspan is 88.4 m. An empty airplane weighs 250,000 (!) Kilograms. The maximum weight with cargo is 640,000 kg. At the same time, cruising speed is 850 km / h. The range is 15,400 kilometers, which takes 300,000 kilograms of fuel. If the load is 200 tons, then the distance will be reduced from 15,400 km to 4,000 km.
An-225 "Mriya" is driven by a turbojet 2-circuit engine D-18T.
Mi-12
Talking about the largest aircraft, it is worth noting the attention and helicopters. Mi-12 is also known under the designation B-12 or the name "Homer". This is the heaviest helicopter, characterized by maximum load capacity, the design of which was entrusted to the Moscow plant named after M.L. Mile. Its distinctive feature is the screws on the wings of the reverse judgment, having a lateral arrangement. They are set in motion thanks to the operation of the D-25VF engines (of which there are only four).
An empty plane weighs 69,100 kilograms. The maximum take-off weight is 105,000 kg. At the same time, it can fit 196 passengers + 6 crew members. Mi-12 is also able to accelerate to a maximum speed of 260 km / h. The flight range is 1000 kilometers.
This aircraft was created in the 60s of the last century. The first flight took place in July 1968. And the very next year, in February, the ship lifted 31,030 kilograms of cargo into the air (the height was 2,910 m).
Mi-26
It is the world's largest mass-produced transport helicopter . It is produced at the Rostvertol plant. Its length is 40 meters with a small one. An empty helicopter weighs 28,200 kilograms, and the maximum take-off weight is 56,000 kg. Inside are 6 crew members, 85 soldiers, 70 paratroopers, 3 doctors and 60 wounded. The maximum speed is 295 km / h. The flight range at maximum refueling is 800 kilometers, and the volume of fuel tanks is 12,000 liters.
Unfortunately, the Mi-26 is known as the victim of the largest helicopter crash in the world. A disaster occurred in 2002, on August 19, in Chechnya. Mi-26 launched a projectile from an anti-aircraft missile system called the Needle. The number of victims is 127.
Other ships
It is worth noting the attention of the Hughes H-4 Hercules. This is a record holder among aircraft for a wingspan of 98 meters. It was designed to transport an army of 750 soldiers over long distances.
A Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a living American legend. This missile-carrying bomber has a top speed of 957 km / h and can cover a distance of 16,090 kilometers. It has an automatic 6-barrel M61 "Volcano" cannon, and the bomb load can be 31,500 kg. The Boeing 747-8, for example, is a passenger 2-deck aircraft that has the longest length of all the rest.
German Dornier Do X is also worthy of attention. It is the largest passenger flying boat in the world, which was developed in the 1920s. She could accommodate 165 people (including the crew). And the maximum speed, by the way, was 210 km / h.
And finally, the Tu-160 with the beautiful nickname "White Swan". This is the most powerful and largest supersonic aircraft. With a mass of 110,000 kilograms (take-off maximum - 275,000 kg), the Tu-160 can reach a speed of 2220 km / h (at altitude)! And it is really impressive.
There are many more amazing aviation creations. But those that were listed are the most significant, and all over the world.