Antonov An-30

Antonov

Company type	Aircraft manufacturer
Industry	Aerospace
Founded	1946
Headquarters	Kyiv , Ukraine
Products	Aircraft, including Antonov An-24 series and An-30

The Antonov An-30 (NATO reporting name: Clank) is an adaptation of the Antonov An-24 specifically engineered for aerial cartography. It represents the second iteration within the Antonov An-24 series, following the original Antonov An-24 and preceding models such as the Antonov An-26, Antonov An-32, and the discontinued Antonov/Taqnia An-132.

Development

The initial aerial survey modification of the Antonov An-24 was developed by the Beriev design bureau (OKB) and named An-24FK, with "FK" denoting fotokartograficheskiy (photo mapping). The prototype originated from a converted An-24A at Beriev's No. 49 assembly facility during 1966. This An-24FK undertook its maiden flight on 21 August 1967. Following successful state acceptance trials in 1970 and civil certification finalized in 1974, it was rebranded as the An-30. Serial production commenced in 1971 at the Antonov manufacturing plant. Between 1971 and 1980, a total of 123 An-30 units were produced in Kiev, encompassing two principal variants.

Total production

Total Production	1979	1978	1977	1976	1975	1974	1973
124	8	13	27	24	27	17	8

Design

File:Lukaviatrans Antonov An-30.jpg

Lukaviatrans An-30A

The Antonov An-30 originates from the An-24 platform, featuring a completely redesigned fuselage forward of frame 11. Its nose section is extensively glazed, accommodating the navigator and advanced navigation instruments, including an optical sight designed for precise aerial photography. To facilitate consistent and accurate survey missions, the An-30 was equipped with computer-assisted flight path control systems as standard. This specialized equipment replaced the radar found on the An-24. Due to the integration of new navigational devices, the cockpit was elevated by 41 cm compared to the An-24, resulting in a distinctive cockpit hump.

Positioned immediately behind and below the flight deck were the radio operator and flight engineer stations. The mission-specific apparatus was installed further aft in a compartment outfitted with five camera windows embedded in the floor. Each window could be sealed with protective covers housed within streamlined fairings protruding beneath the fuselage. Typically, the aircraft carried four to five cameras during photographic missions. Three were mounted vertically for mapping objectives, while two others were angled at 28° on either side for oblique imaging. This same compartment included work areas for two camera operators as well as a crew rest zone.

The aircraft's camera systems operated effectively at altitudes ranging from 2,000 to 7,000 meters (approximately 6,500 to 23,000 feet), producing photographic scales between 1:200,000 and 1:15,000,000. The An-30’s powerplant consisted of two Ivchenko AI-24VT turboprop engines, each rated at a takeoff power of 2,820 equivalent horsepower.

Operational history

File:Ukrainian an 30.jpg

Ukrainian Air Force An-30

Beyond its primary role in aerial surveying, the An-30 has been utilized by countries including Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Romania, Russia, and Ukraine for observation flights under the Open Skies Treaty.

Certain variants designated as An-30M have served in weather modification roles. Some aircraft were equipped with frozen carbon dioxide tanks used to release CO2 into the atmosphere to induce artificial rain clouds. These modified An-30s have also been deployed to prevent hailstorms that could damage crops and to ensure favorable weather conditions for events such as maiden flights of new aircraft models or significant celebrations like May Day parades and Moscow’s 850th anniversary in September 1997.

Between 1971 and 1980, a total of 115 units were produced, with 23 exported to nations including Afghanistan, Bulgaria, China, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Mongolia, and Vietnam.

In 1982, An-30s completed comprehensive aerial mapping of Afghanistan; however, one aircraft was downed by a man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) during a photography mission near Kabul south of the Panjshir Valley on March 11, 1985. Cuban-operated An-30s were actively engaged in Angola during 1987.

On April 22, 2014, a Ukrainian An-30 conducting surveillance over Sloviansk in eastern Ukraine sustained minor damage after being struck by small-arms fire from pro-Russian separatists but managed to land safely. Subsequently, on June 6 of the same year, another Ukrainian An-30B was reportedly shot down near Slavyansk by separatist forces using a MANPADS.

Accidents

• On 23 May 2012, a Russian Open Skies An-30 experienced a fire during an emergency touchdown at an airport near the Czech town of Čáslav. Unverified reports suggest the incident was caused by the crew's inability to deploy the landing gear. Of the 23 individuals on board, including 14 Russians and nine Czechs, seven sustained injuries.
• On 3 October 2018, an An-30 operated by the Sudan Air Force crashed while attempting to land at Khartoum airport.

Variants

An-24FK

A unique prototype modified from an An-24B featuring a navigator’s station housed within a heavily glazed nose and a raised cockpit to accommodate specialized mission apparatus.

An-30A

Model tailored for civil aviation purposes. A total of 65 units were supplied to the Soviet Ministry of Civil Aviation, with an additional six provided to other Soviet civil entities. Furthermore, 18 An-30As were produced for export markets, including seven delivered to China.

An-30B

Variant developed for use by the Soviet Air Force, with 26 aircraft constructed. The primary distinction from the An-30A lies in its avionics configuration. Most An-30Bs were later upgraded with chaff and flare dispenser systems.

An-30D Sibiryak

A long-range adaptation of the An-30A created in 1990 featuring expanded fuel tanks. Five aircraft underwent conversion to this standard and were stationed at Myachkovo airfield near Moscow. This model served roles such as ice reconnaissance, fisheries monitoring, and transport missions. It was equipped with enhanced communication systems, including a data-link, as well as onboard rescue gear.

An-30FG

The designation used by the Czech Republic for the single An-30 in service with the Czech Air Force, which was upgraded with Western weather radar technology.

An-30M Meteozashchita

A specialized weather research platform capable of dispersing dry ice into the atmosphere for meteorological modification tasks. The dry ice was stored in eight containers weighing 130 kg each, replacing photographic equipment.

An-30R

This variant was a production An-30 (CCCP-30055/RA-30055, c/n1101) converted for nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) reconnaissance missions. It featured air-sampling pods mounted beneath the forward fuselage along with other sensors designed to detect warfare by-products. Another example, numbered 30080 and operated by the VVS, had a single sampling pod on the port pylon and was fitted to release large flare bombs from the starboard pylon. Notably, RA-30055 was deployed to monitor emissions from the fire at reactor No.4 during the Chernobyl disaster, becoming permanently contaminated and subsequently retired from service.

Operators

File:Antonov An-30.JPG

An-30 of the Bulgarian Air Force

File:An30.jpg

Antonov An-30 aircraft

File:Antonov An-30 at the Ukrainian State Aviation Museum.JPG

Former Soviet Antonov An-30 displayed at the Ukrainian State Aviation Museum

File:Antonov AN-30 Clank 5D3 4806 (52255513182).jpg

Upgraded sensor-equipped nose section of a Romanian An-30

Military users

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• Bulgarian Air Force – maintained one aircraft as of 2017

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• Romanian Air Force – initially operated three from 1976; two remain in service as of 2017

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• Russian Aerospace Forces

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• Sudanese Air Force

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• Ukrainian Air Force – operated three aircraft as of 2017

Previous military users

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• Afghan Air Force acquired an An-30 in 1985.

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• Angolan Air Force

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• Cuban Air Force

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• Czech Air Force retired its An-30 fleet in 2003.

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• Czechoslovak Air Force

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• Mongolian Air Force

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• People's Liberation Army Air Force

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• Soviet Air Force

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• Vietnam People's Air Force

Civil operators

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• Aero-Fret

Former civil operators

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• CAAC Airlines

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• MIAT Mongolian Airlines

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• Moskovia Airlines
• Lukiaviatrans
• Myachkovo Air Services
• Novosibirsk Air Enterprise
• Polet Flight
• Practical Geodinamics Center

Template:UKR

• ARP 410 Airlines
• Ukraine National Airlines

Template:VIE

• Vietnam Air Service Company

External links

• Photographs of the An-30
• Image collection of An-30 aircraft at Pravda.Ru