An-22 Antey transport aircraft: specifications, fuel supply, design

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

The Soviet-made aircraft An-22 was presented to the general public in the summer of 1965 at the international air show in Paris. As stated, the air giant could accommodate 720 passengers and about 80 tons of cargo. At the initiative of the general designer O. Antonov, the unit was given a second name - "Antey". The general impression of the show, as described in the press, was very positive from the presented huge, but elegant and comfortable car. Consider the features of this vessel, its characteristics and scope.

Description

In mid-December, the An-22 aircraft made its first real takeoff, with a carrying capacity of 16 tons. The main purpose of the machine is the transportation of personnel, equipment and equipment of the Airborne Forces units. It was quite realistic to transport to the desired point, for example, a T-54 type tank.

In the early summer of 1958, the Antonov design bureau developed the An-20 project with the possibility of being transported by a pair of NK-12M high-pressure fuel pump power plants. The aircraft is focused on the transfer of engineering and combat devices with a total weight of up to 40 tons. Into the cargo bay with easefit more than 140 paratroopers, and there was the possibility of landing cargo.

The release of soldiers was planned through a pair of hatches in the front of the cargo area, as well as through two rooms in the tail section of the aircraft. Since the cargo compartment is not pressurized, the transportation of people in it is not provided at an altitude of more than 6 kilometers, even with the presence of oxygen tanks. In the frontal part of the fuselage there is a cell for 27 people, which corresponds to the required sealing parameters. According to the project, the aircraft was equipped with a DB-35-AO guided artillery mount with a pair of 23 mm cannons.

Feature: multi-wheel landing gear made it possible to use the car on takeoff even from unpaved air runways.

What's next?

After the work on the creation of the An-20 was curtailed, the designers began to manufacture an even heavier air vehicle. The technical development of the machine was completed in the summer of 1960 (working designation - VT-22). The aircraft was designed to transport cargo up to 50 tons over a distance of about 3500 kilometers and airborne landing of single objects weighing up to 15 tons. The An-22 was equipped with four NK-12MV power plants with a maximum power of 15 thousand e. l. s.

A pair of main landing gear retracted into the engine cells of the internal engines, the other two similar parts - into the fuselage fairings. The wing is made according to the "reverse gull" type, has a bend at the innerpower unit. It is also possible to process the element with a boundary layer. The An-22 cabin, due to its dimensions, made it possible to solve a maximum of tasks for the transfer of all engineering and military equipment that was relevant at that time.

Development

In the early 60s of the last century, the USSR Ministry of Defense instructed the aviation industry to create a complex for the air transfer of intercontinental missiles. In theory, the foundations of the offensive nuclear potential were to be transported to the airfield closest to the launch point, after which they were transferred by helicopters directly to the silo.

The parameters of the prototype VT-22 for the most part corresponded to the goal, the development of the final version was entrusted to the Antonov Design Bureau. The result was to be a full-fledged aircraft capable of transferring both ICBMs and all equipment transported by rail. The national economy also needed aircraft of this type, especially in the developed regions of Siberia and the Far North, where it was not possible to deliver many structures without disassembly in any other way.

Plumage

The An-22 abandoned the single-tail plumage, which was previously used on Antonov's transport aircraft. This is due to the fact that the fuselage, weakened by a significant cutout, will not be able to cope with the characteristic torsional loads that occur when the rudder is deflected or equipment slips under the influence of lateral gusts of wind.

The reduction of such stresses has become a prevailing moment, the cargo hatchwas carried out in a hermetic form, and for the transportation of personnel it was required to provide a pressurization of the fuselage of at least 0.25 kgf / sq. see As a result, the tail of the An-22 became two-keel.

However, the designers ran into a problem. It was expressed in the installation of VO washers along the edges of the stabilizer, which significantly reduced its maximum speed on flutter. This problem haunted designers led by Antonov for a long time. As a result, it was decided to arrange the washers in such a way that the mass from a negative position is transformed into a positive factor. The solution turned out to be quite simple: the elements were shifted forward with respect to the axis of the rigid GO by 70% of the stabilizer span.

First trials

During the first testing of the An-22, sand was poured at the end of the runway. This was due to the fact that the Svyatoshinsky airfield had a relatively short length (1.8 km). However, during the winter the sand froze over and the safety lane became problematic. Departure decided not to postpone. This was largely influenced by the decisiveness of the An-22 crew, consisting of Kurlin (commander), Tersky (co-pilot), Koshkin (navigator), Vorotnikov (flight engineer), Shatalov (lead test engineer) and Drobyshev (on-board radio operator).

Aircraft with a takeoff weight of 165 tons, after a run of 1.2 km, took off from the airfield without any problems. The landing was carried out at a test base in Uzin, Kyiv region. The first real test of the aircraft lasted 70 minutes. According to the crew, it went quite well.fine. The next testing of the unit in question took place in a month. Three test flights were carried out in Uzin, after which the equipment was sent to Gostomel for further testing.

Demo

In June 1965, the tests of the An-22 "Antey" were interrupted due to the exhibition at the Paris International Salon. After landing at a French airport, the aircraft in question became a real sensation and was not deprived of press attention.

At that time, the Soviet Union proved that it was really ahead of its competitors in the creation of powerful transport aircraft. The aircraft in question did not take part in the demonstration flights, since shortly before that it had made six test flights, and therefore the management did not dare to approve the participation of equipment in the air. It should be noted that the capacious cabin of Antey has become the place for meetings and conferences. The aircraft received the NATO code name "Rooster" (Cock).

Interesting facts

After returning from France, testing of the An-22 transport aircraft continued. On the vessel, the power plant of the NK-12MV type was replaced with an analogue of the NK-12MA. After test samples, these engines were finally accepted along with the AB-90 propeller.

Tests of the first series of the aircraft in question cannot be called smooth. What is the premise for a serious incident during the flight from Boryspil to Gostomel. Then, in the fuselage part, immediately after takeoff, several powerful uncharacteristic blows sounded. As it turned out, there was a destruction of the elementsshock absorber in the front right pillar of the main chassis. Before landing, it was possible to activate only the rear support, since the middle part was also damaged. Due to a manufacturing defect, the KT-109 wheels (weighing 0.52 tons) were later replaced with a lighter version of KT-133 (0.45 tons).

Perturbations

In the autumn of the same year, the operation of the An-22 continued in Tashkent, as an unstable weather situation was observed in Kyiv. Mass production of these aircraft was also launched there. In mid-November, the first modification was released under the index 01-03, and already in January of the following year, the Tashkent Antey was lifted into the air, the flight of which was led by the chief designer Kurlin. From 1966 to 1967, 7 more models of the experimental line were produced, the testing of which took place mainly in Gostomel.

Achievements

At the end of October 1966, the aircraft in question began to set the first records. The carrying capacity of the An-22 was 88.103 tons at a height of 6.6 km. Under the leadership of the crew commander I. Davydov, 12 achievements were established in one flight. Thompson's record on the Douglas S-133 apparatus (53.5 tons per 2 km) was immediately surpassed by more than 34.5 tons.

Most of the next year was devoted to flight tests of the An-22 to study its running and operational capabilities. Including calculations were made for the landing of personnel and military equipment. Cargo drops were carried out in Gostomel, as well as in Lithuania (Kedainiai). First dropped layoutsmachines, dummies on primitive parachute platforms along with a 20-ton blank. The shipment height was up to 1.5 kilometers.

Then practiced ejection of light tanks from a height of 0, 8-1, 0 km. After testing, the limit speed range was determined (from 310 to 400 km / h). It was possible to determine the stable operation of parachute knots within the length of the strand up to 60 meters. A system for landing individual cargoes up to 20 tons was introduced in stages, and a number of other studies were also carried out. It is worth noting that the indicated weight is the maximum for dropping even in the case of the heavier Ruslan analogue (An-14).

Presentation

In June 1967, the size of the An-22 and its capabilities were able to evaluate at the next air show in Paris. Model No. 01-03 did not participate in demonstration performances, however, it performed several flights to deliver communications, including the Vostok spacecraft. Soon "Antey" was officially presented in the USSR.

Three serial modifications in July of the same year demonstrated the landing landing of army equipment. This happened at the Domodedovo airport (Moscow region). The event was timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution. And in October, the crew of the car, headed by commander Davydov, again surprised the world. The aircraft lifted a load weighing 100.444 tons to a height of 7.848 km.

Special concrete blocks weighing up to 12 tons were made for loading. Even today, the number of Antey's unsurpassed world records reaches four dozen. Twelve of these achievementsinstalled under the direction of Marina Popovich.

State testing

In order to determine the possible fuel supply of the An-22 and other technical capabilities, in the fall of 1967, state tests of this aircraft began. Leading pilots and navigators conducted 40 flights. For greater safety, a parachute was installed on the aircraft against spin drifts. The attachment halyard of this design withstood a force of 50 tons.

Maneuvers were carried out over a deserted and deserted area in the Tashkent region. As a result of the testing, it was determined that with skillful and timely actions of the crew, the aircraft can easily be pulled out of the stall, excluding it from falling into a tailspin. The full deflection of the steering wheel led to a steep dive, which made it difficult to rebuild the machine in a horizontal position.

The spin parachute was never used in real conditions, but it passed the test. This was done on a horizontal section, where the element was released and fired after 8 seconds. The parameters of the steady spin were 16.6/39.5% MAR. The same data was demonstrated when testing the element in a wind tunnel.

The first demonstration flights "Antey" held in the summer of 1969 as part of the Paris Air Show. Among the elements is a spectacular flight at low altitude (no higher than 20 meters with a couple of disabled power plants on the starboard side).

An-22: specifications

The following are the main parameters of the considered airvessel:

• Wing length/span - 57, 3/64, 4 m.
• Machine height - 12.53 m.
• Weight normal/take-off/empty – 205/225/118, 72 t.
• The mass of fuel is 96 tons.
• An-22 engine type - four NK-12MA type TVDs.
• Maximum speed - 650 km/h.
• Flight range (practical/ferry) – 5225/8500 km.
• Payload – 60 t.
• The crew is from 5 to 7 people.
• Passenger capacity - 28 people.

Serial and experimental modifications

On the basis of Antey, several versions were developed, designed to perform specific and complex tasks. Among them:

• Basic variation under index 22.
• 22-A – model with payload up to 80 t.
• Modification 22P3 - the possibility of transportation for other aircraft on the fuselage is provided.
• "Amphibian" - it was supposed to use the car to supply submarines, carry out rescue operations and install combat mines on the water.
• PLO is an aircraft designed to counter nuclear submarines. The model has a huge flight margin and is equipped with a specially configured reactor.
• PS - search and rescue version.
• P - for transporting ballistic intercontinental missiles.
• SH - machine with an enlarged fuselage.
• KS - tanker.
• In addition, a passenger version was developed on the basis of Antey.

Use in the national economy

For business purposesAn-22 began to be tested at the stage of factory testing. In March, models 01-01 and 01-03 made more than 20 flights to the Tyumen region. At the same time, they transported large mono-cargoes for geological and oil developments, weighing over 625 tons: pumping units, gas turbine stations, bulldozers, well heating devices and other specific equipment.

In addition, "Antey" worked in Siberia, providing the construction of the Sudzhensk-Anzhero - Aleksandrovsk oil pipeline. The total time of the raids was about 240 hours per month. The chief designer even developed a special scheme for landing in unfamiliar territories. In this direction, Yuri Vladimirovich received a certificate of authorship. The method is to descend, touch the ground, then run and take off. Then the approach to the second circle and the final landing is performed. In November 1970, the crew of I. Davydov from Leningrad delivered a diesel power plant weighing 50 tons to Cape Schmidt.

The use of "Antey" in the harsh conditions of the Far North showed the high reliability of the aircraft. For example, under the leadership of Kurlin in 1970, a flight was made with two excavators (total weight - 60 tons). At the same time, takeoff was made from the runway in Surgut, which was covered with a meter layer of snow.

The possibilities of landing on a swamp, the water in which was frozen by only 40 centimeters, as well as various loading options with testing the aircraft in conditions of increased flight intensity, were worked out. Steel runs proved to be excellent,developed by Kurlin and Vasilenko. They were placed on a ramp and served for loading and unloading self-propelled tracked vehicles.

An-22 plane crashes

In July 1970, five Antey planes delivered humanitarian aid to the people of Peru, who suffered from a severe earthquake. 60 flights were made, about 250 tons of cargo were transported. At the same time, the first accident occurred with the An-22. On July 18, Model 02-07, en route to Lima, disappeared over the ocean 47 minutes after taking off from Keflavik, Iceland. On board was a cargo of medical supplies and 26 passengers. There were no radio messages from the crew about the crash. What happened?

A special coordination center was created to search for the board. As a result, a special life raft and the remains of packages from medical supplies were found. Experts concluded that the accident could have occurred due to an explosion on board. There were other versions as well. However, the exact reason could not be determined.

Given how much the An-22 weighs, handling this machine requires great skill and careful checks before departure. In December 1970, there was another accident with the Antey. Four units carried out a special task of delivering various cargoes to India, many regions of which were affected by floods. 40 minutes after takeoff from Pakistan, modification 02-05 turned off all four engines. One of the engines managed to start and bring the car to the airfield in Panagarh. However, the crew was unable to land the aircraft at high speed (150km/h). "Antey" flew over almost the entire runway, collapsed and burned down. The commission determined that the cause of the disaster was a broken blade of one of the propellers.

After the accident in India, flights on the An-22 resumed only in February 1971. A year later, the fleet of cars consisted of 17 copies, which were operated within the country and abroad. The main areas of use are the transportation of military equipment, as well as national economic goods for the northern regions.