Antonov An-178

Antonov

Industry	Aerospace
Founded	May 31, 1946 (1946-05-31) in Kyiv, Ukraine
Headquarters	Kyiv , Ukraine
Products	Aircraft, including Antonov An-178
Website	www.antonov.com

Antonov An-178

The Antonov An-178 (Ukrainian: Антонов Ан-178) represents a medium-range military transport aircraft developed and manufactured by the Ukrainian company Antonov. It is derived from the Antonov An-158 (An-148-200) platform, with the project officially unveiled on 5 February 2010. The initial prototype was completed on 16 April 2015 and successfully completed its inaugural flight on 7 May 2015.

Designed to succeed older transport models such as the An-12, An-26, and An-32, the An-178 incorporates an avionics system comparable to that of the Antonov An-148 and is powered by Progress D-436-148FM engines. It is positioned as a competitor to Brazil's Embraer C-390. Antonov has projected production of more than 200 units for this aircraft.

Development

Initiated in 2009 as an independent project funded by Antonov, the An-178 was conceived to succeed the company's earlier generation of transport aircraft developed during the Soviet period, such as the An-12, An-26, and An-32. The aircraft was designed to replace older international models like the Transall C-160. To achieve this, Antonov conducted extensive market analysis to determine current global aviation demands alongside specific client requirements, concluding that an optimal payload capacity would range between 13 and 18 tonnes. Detailed design efforts began in 2011, with the decision made to base the new transport on the existing An-148 and An-158 series.

File:Antonov An-178 rollout ceremony.jpg

Rollout ceremony of the Antonov An-178 prototype, April 2015

Compared to its predecessor, the An-12, the newly developed transport aircraft utilizes two engines instead of four, requires less maintenance, and operates with a smaller flight crew, all contributing to reduced operational expenses for users. Antonov has highlighted the aircraft's compliance with modern international air freight standards and its minimal dependence on airport infrastructure during loading and unloading of heavy cargo. This capability allows it to operate from rudimentary airfields and challenging environments such as tundra and desert regions. The design anticipates both civilian and military roles in the global market.

Reports from the early 2010s indicated that future production models of the An-178 would feature an extended wingspan while maintaining the original wing panels from the An-158. This modification would enable a maximum takeoff weight estimated at 56 tons. Additionally, subsequent variants were expected to be equipped with turbofan engines delivering approximately 9,500 kgf thrust, such as the new-generation Ivchenko-Progress AI-28 engine under development. However, for the first prototype, Antonov installed less powerful D-436-148FM engines, likely as a temporary solution. This engine is an enhanced version of the standard D-436-148 with an improved fan that increased takeoff thrust to 7,800 kgf and an emergency power rating of 8,580 kgf.

By 29 July 2014, assembly of the initial prototype’s main fuselage was completed and transferred to the final assembly area for integration with other airframe parts. The first prototype was officially unveiled on 16 April 2015 during a ceremony in Kyiv, followed by its maiden flight on 7 May 2015. At that time, the program was approximately two years behind its original schedule, as flight testing had initially been planned to start in 2013. By May 2017, over 115 test flights had been completed, accumulating more than 194 hours in total.

The An-178's Western introduction occurred at the 2015 Paris Air Show. During this event, Antonov announced securing multiple orders for initial production aircraft reportedly already underway at their main facility near Kyiv. The company also revealed ongoing discussions about further manufacturing agreements with both Azerbaijan and China, noting that customers could access associated simulator training through Antonov. In November 2015, the aircraft made its Middle East debut at the Dubai Airshow, shortly before it was announced that the Royal Saudi Air Force had signed a letter of intent for 30 An-178 units; this agreement potentially included localized production within Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Antonov explored possible joint manufacturing ventures with Turkey.

The Ukrainian domestic market has played a significant role in advancing the program. In June 2019, Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs ordered 13 An-178s with delivery expected within three years. By January 2021, Antonov commenced production of three initial An-178s for the Ukrainian Air Force after formalizing a cooperation memorandum. In May of that year, fabrication of the fuselage for Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence’s first An-178 was finalized. By December 2021, construction of the first production An-178 was declared complete and certification testing began soon after.

Design

File:Antonov178Peru.jpg

An An-178 being assembled for the Ministry of the Interior of Peru, November 2020

The Antonov An-178 features a high-wing configuration with moderately swept wings, equipped with winglets and a T-tail. It is developed from the 99-seat An-158 regional jet, sharing the standardized F1 fuselage nose section along with an identical cockpit, wing components, tail assembly, and the majority of onboard systems. However, the fuselage was redesigned with an increased diameter, expanded from 3.35 m to 3.9 m, resulting in a larger cargo bay—the cargo compartment cross-section measures 2.75 m by 2.75 m. While the wing structure, outer panels including winglets, forward fuselage nose, cockpit, and nose landing gear are adapted from the An-158, an additional pair of tandem main wheels has been installed on each side.

Constructed primarily from aluminium alloys and composite materials, the airframe incorporates a semi-monocoque fuselage with a circular cross-section. The retractable landing gear consists of dual main wheel bogies paired with a twin nose wheel assembly. The aircraft is equipped with advanced digital avionics. Its flight control system employs a dual duplex fly-by-wire design divided into two units: FCS-A and FCS-B, each managing two control channels. Control surfaces include ailerons positioned near the wing tips, four control spoilers, six lift-dump/speed-brake spoilers, as well as a rudder and elevators, backed up by an emergency mechanical cable system. Propulsion is provided by two Progress D-436-148FM turbofan engines mounted beneath the wings on pylons, supplemented by an auxiliary power unit.Template:Fix/category

The An-178 can transport payloads up to 18 tonnes over distances of approximately 1,000 km or carry up to 10 tonnes across ranges reaching 4,000 km. Its cargo hold is fully pressurized—a notable improvement over various Soviet transport models—removing limitations related to transporting certain loads such as passengers, perishables, and foodstuffs at high altitudes. This feature broadens both operational range and mission versatility. Military configurations may include standard cargo containers, up to 99 fully-equipped infantry troops, as many as 80 paratroopers, or a medical evacuation setup accommodating 40 patients on litters alongside 30 seated casualties.

Operators

File:Antonov An-178 prototype in flight (2).jpeg

The An-178 prototype airborne

Orders and Letters of Intent

Template:UAE

• Maximus Air - signed a letter of intent

Template:AZE

• Silk Way Airlines - initial customer with a confirmed order for 10 units placed in May 2015. Later cancelled.

Template:KSA

• Royal Saudi Air Force - memorandum of understanding for 30 aircraft, although this commitment was subsequently reported as cancelled.

Template:IRQ

• Iraqi Army - placed order for two aircraft

Template:PRC

• A-Star - Beijing-based technology firm ordered fifty units and proposed establishing joint manufacturing in China.

Template:UKR

• Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine - procured thirteen aircraft
• Ukrainian Air Force - ordered three AN-178-100P models (assembly of the first unit began in spring 2021)

Template:PER

• Ministry of the Interior of Peru - initially ordered one aircraft, which was subsequently cancelled.

External links

• Official website