On December 28, the Antonov State Enterprise, part of Ukroboronprom, demonstrated the first An-178-100R №001 military transport aircraft designed for flight certification tests. Specialists and senior military officials took part in the completion of the construction and testing of the aircraft.
Follow Air Recognition on Google News at this link
First An-178-100R (Picture source: Ukroboronprom)
An-178-100R №001 is a new generation aircraft created on the basis of modern world information technologies. It is equipped with hundreds of electronic computers that allow you to integrate all systems and sensors of the aircraft, automate control of their performance and optimize control.
Military transport An-178 can be used for transportation of personnel, delivery of weapons and light military equipment by landing and parachute methods, as well as for transportation of goods.
"Tomorrow will be exactly one year since we gathered in this shop to sign a historic contract with the support and direct participation of the President, which launches new aircraft into the sky for our Army and our Armed Forces.
Today we see the first fruits of this contract - the planes that will soon take off into the sky and will serve our Armed Forces. Then, a year ago, few people believed that we were capable, that we were ready, and that we would do it. Today we confirm not only the ability, but also the ambitions for new contracts - contracts for the Armed Forces, for the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Therefore, I am convinced that we have a lot of work ahead of you. And let the new year 2022 bring us many new contracts, a lot of work, many new aircraft. This year the production figures of Ukroboronprom have increased by more than 20%, primarily due to aircraft construction. So I want to sincerely thank you for your work. Glory to Antonov, glory to every employee of this legendary plant and glory to Ukraine! ” Said Yuriy Gusev, General Director of Ukroboronprom.
The program to create the An-178-100R involves more than 30 Ukrainian companies that have mastered the manufacture of 177 components for this aircraft. In particular, for the first time in Ukraine SE "ANTONOV", STC "Ekran", PJSC "FED", SE "HAKB" developed and introduced a modern electronic aircraft control system, control system for wing mechanization. SE "Southern Machine-Building Plant" has launched the production of the main racks of the chassis.
Foreign suppliers from Europe, the USA and Canada are also involved in the aircraft equipment.
During the implementation of the An-178-100P program, a large amount of work was carried out to ensure a qualitatively new level of all aircraft systems, including hydraulic system, aircraft control systems, power supply, air conditioning and more.
"It's a very emotional moment. Many of us dreamed of being pilots as children. But the most difficult thing is to build an airplane, which will then be used by pilots. It seems to me that it is symbolic and important that Ukraine demonstrates its defense capabilities through synergy, through joint efforts. Today the ceremony is attended by representatives of the relevant parliamentary committee, which is fully supported by the Armed Forces, representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Air Force Command, the leadership of Ukrobornprom and the plant, the Ministry of Strategy and the Ministry of Defense. I am sure that this synergy is the key to our victory. And there will be not only three such planes, there will be more. We demonstrate that we know how to build, we know how to fly and we know how to defend ourselves. Thank you very much for that, " said Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov.
Changes have been made to the design of the aircraft in order to ensure the landing function of people and cargo, as well as to perform other tasks of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (Picture source: Ukroboronprom)
"A year ago, few people believed that the company would be able to make this plane and three others. But a year has passed and we see that the result is there. I am sincerely grateful to Antonov's employees for showing in the case, for showing in metal that we are one team that does everything to improve our Armed Forces. Believe in the Armed Forces, believe in Ukraine! ” Said Oleksandr Zavitnevych , Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence.
In turn, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yevhen Moisyuk stressed : “The Armed Forces of Ukraine need modern military equipment that will increase our capabilities and strengthen national stability. I am sure that this plane, AN-178, in the skillful hands of our pilots will bring victory to Ukraine. "
Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, emphasized: “The Air Force has been waiting on board for the Ukrainian army for thirty years. And it's nice that it will be a Ukrainian-made aircraft - An-178!
However, we still have to go through a difficult path - to prepare the flight crew, specialists of the aviation engineering service, so that we can master this aircraft, service it and perform combat missions with quality.
In his speech, First Deputy Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine Denis Sharapov stressed that with the establishment of the Ministry of Strategic Industry, the state has become much more focused on aircraft construction.
First An-178-100R (Picture source: Ukroboronprom)
The official said that the Ministry, together with stakeholders, has developed a State Targeted Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of the Aviation Industry for 2021-2030, which was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine last fall.
"Implementation of the program will contribute to the creation of new aviation technologies and materials, new jobs in Ukraine. Aircraft construction should become a locomotive for many sectors of our economy, "said Denis Sharapov.
Changes have been made to the design of the aircraft in order to ensure the landing function of people and cargo, as well as to perform other tasks of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
The state order for the construction of three ANTONOV aircraft was received at the end of December 2020 with the support of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.
Construction of aircraft for the needs of the Armed Forces is carried out according to plans. The construction of the glider of the first of the three ordered aircraft has been completed. The fuselage, wing, tail of the second An-178-100R were assembled ahead of schedule, and the assembly of the glider of this machine was started.
The An-178-100R aircraft is designed for:
- transportation of people;
- transportation of special means, equipment and other material means and cargoes;
- landing of special equipment and paratroopers;
- medical evacuation of the wounded and injured;
The main objects of transportation of the An-178-100R aircraft:
- material means, special equipment, material and technical means in standard packaging, as well as on pallets MIL-P-27443E HCU-6E 88 ”× 108”;
- people in need of medical evacuation: 40 people on standard sanitary stretchers, 38 people on side seats accompanied by 4 paramedics;
- people totaling up to 100 people.
The main landing objects of the An-178-100R aircraft:
- paratroopers up to 86 people;
- cargoes in A-22 containers;
- loads on Type V / 88 platforms ”.
