Antonov An-72

Antonov

Company type	Aerospace manufacturer
Industry	Aircraft manufacturing
Founded	1946
Founder	Oleg Antonov
Headquarters	Kyiv , Ukraine
Products	Aircraft, including An-72 transport aircraft

The Antonov An-72 (NATO reporting name: Coaler) is a transport aircraft originating from the Soviet Union, engineered by the Antonov design bureau. It was created primarily as a STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) transport solution, intended to succeed the Antonov An-26. Although initially designed for military logistical roles, some variants have also been adapted successfully for commercial freight operations.

The An-72 and its close relative, the Antonov An-74, are colloquially known as Cheburashka due to their distinctive large engine air intakes, which bear a resemblance to the oversized ears of the famous Soviet animated character sharing the same name.

Design and development

File:Russian Air Force Antonov An-72S Dvurekov-1.jpg

The An-72 features an unconventional design element that exploits the Coandă effect by directing engine exhaust over the upper wing surface to enhance lift during STOL operations.

The maiden flight of the An-72 took place on Template:Date2. Its development was likely influenced by the earlier USAF Advanced Medium STOL Transport (AMST) program initiated roughly a decade prior. The An-74 variant evolved alongside the An-72, incorporating modifications such as wheel-skis landing gear and de-icing systems, enabling it to function effectively in polar climates, including Arctic and Antarctic conditions. Additional versions include the VIP-configured An-72S and the maritime patrol-oriented An-72P.

Although its first flight occurred in 1977, serial production commenced in the late 1980s. The aircraft is powered by Lotarev D-36 turbofan engines. Its overall configuration bears similarity to the Boeing YC-14 prototype from the early 1970s, which also utilized overwing engines and leveraged the Coandă effect to improve lift characteristics.

The rear section of the fuselage incorporates a hinged cargo ramp with an extending fairing that moves backward and upward to clear the loading aperture. The aircraft can carry up to 7.5 tonnes (7.4 long tons; 8.3 short tons) of cargo that can be deployed via airdrop, and it features folding side seats accommodating up to 52 passengers.

In 2018, reports indicated that six An-72 airframes were undergoing modernization for use by the Russian Aerospace Forces and Navy. These upgrades aimed to increase fuel capacity and payload capabilities specifically for operations within Arctic environments.

Operation

The An-72 is equipped with Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) capabilities, requiring approximately 620 m (2,000 ft) for takeoff and around 420 m (1,400 ft) to land. Designed specifically for operations on rough terrains, its sturdy landing gear combined with high-flotation tires enables it to operate efficiently on surfaces such as sand, grass, or other types of unpaved ground.

Variants

File:Russian Border Guard Antonov An-72P at Vladivostok Airport.jpg

Russian Border Guard An-72P stationed at Vladivostok Airport

• An-71 "Madcap": A prototype airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft derived from the An-72 platform.
• An-72 "Coaler-A": The initial preproduction model, including two flying prototypes, one static test frame, and eight preproduction units.
• An-72A "Coaler-C": The first production STOL transport featuring an extended fuselage and a broader wingspan.
• An-72AT – "Coaler-C": Cargo variant of the An-72A designed to accommodate standard international shipping containers.
• An-72S – "Coaler-C": VIP transport version equipped with a galley in the forward cabin, combined work and rest spaces in the middle section, and 24 armchairs in the rear cabin. It can be reconfigured for cargo transport, seating 38 passengers, or serve as an air ambulance with capacity for eight stretchers.
• An-72P: Patrol variant armed with a single 23 millimetres (0.91 in) GSh-23L cannon along with bombs and/or rockets.
• An-72R (also referred to as An-72BR): Prototype electronic intelligence (ELINT) aircraft featuring conformal antenna housings along both sides of the fuselage. During development, it was designated 'Aircraft 88' and sometimes mistakenly called An-88.
• An-72-100: A demilitarized version of the An-72.
• An-72-100D: Demilitarized configuration based on the An-72S model.
• An-74: Modified for Arctic and Antarctic operations, this variant accommodates a crew of five, has increased fuel storage, a larger radar housed in an enlarged nose radome, enhanced navigation systems, improved deicing capabilities, and can be outfitted with wheel-skis landing gear.

Operators

File:Russian Navy Antonov An-72 Dvurekov-1.jpg

Front view of a Russian Navy An-72, noted for its resemblance to 'Cheburashka'.

File:Ukraine National Guard Antonov An-72 at Zhulyany.jpg

Ukraine National Guard An-72 at Zhulyany Airport

File:Kazakhstan Border Guards Antonov An-72-100 Batuzak-1.jpg

Kazakhstan Border Guard's Antonov An-72-100

Civilian operators

By August 2006, there were 51 An-72 and Antonov An-74 airplanes actively used by airlines. Leading operators comprised Badr Airlines with three units, Shar Ink operating eight, and Motor Sich Airlines with one aircraft. Additionally, approximately 17 other carriers utilized this model.Template:Fix/category

Military operators

As of December 2021, the military fleet included 45 An-72/An-74 aircraft:

• Template:ANG
  • Angolan Air Force: 6 units
• Template:COD
  • Air Force of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: 1 unit
• Template:KAZ
  • Kazakhstan Air Force: 1 unit
• Template:LBY
  • Libyan Air Force: 1 unit
• Template:RUS
  • Russian Aerospace Forces: 31 units
  • Russian Navy: 5 units
• Template:UKR
  • Ukrainian Air Guard: Minimum of 2 aircraft

Former military operators

• Template:ARM
  • Armenian Air Force
• Template:GNQ
  • Armed Forces of Equatorial Guinea
• Template:GEO
  • Georgian Air Force
• Template:Flagcountry
  • Libyan Air Force
• Template:MDA
  • Moldovan Air Force: 2 units
• Template:PER
  • Peruvian Air Force: Operated two aircraft until the late 1990s before transferring them to civilian use
• Template:Country data Soviet Union
  • Soviet Air Force

File:Antonov An-72 Cheburashka.jpg

Viewed from the front, the An-72 has been likened to the character Cheburashka.

Accidents and incidents

Up to May 2022, there have been 24 documented accidents or incidents involving the An-72 or An-74, with seven resulting in fatalities:

• Template:Date2Template:ThinspAn overloaded An-74 bearing registration CCCP-74002 attempted takeoff at Lensk Airport. The aircraft crashed about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from the runway, resulting in the deaths of all 13 onboard.
• Template:Date2Template:ThinspDuring a test flight, an An-72 chase plane collided mid-air with the prototype Antonov An-70 near Borodianka. The crash claimed all seven crew members aboard the An-70. The An-72 sustained damage to its right wing flap but managed to return safely to base.
• Template:Date2Template:ThinspThe Antonov An-72 registered ER-ACF vanished while on a cargo mission from Port Bouet Airport, Côte d'Ivoire, en route to Rundu Airport, Namibia. The five crew members onboard were never found and the cause remains unknown.
• 21 April 2002Template:ThinspThe Antonov An-72 ES-NOP, leased by Enimex and flown by Trigana Air, suffered a hard landing at Wamena Airport in Indonesia resulting in minor fire damage. Firefighters initially had to use handheld extinguishers due to a dead fire truck battery. The aircraft was ultimately written off but no casualties occurred.
• Template:Date2Template:ThinspThe An-74TK registered UR-74038 crashed in Cameroon while transporting humanitarian supplies from Libya to Chad, killing all six crew members onboard.
• Template:Date2Template:ThinspAn Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Air Force An‑72 crashed shortly after departing Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran, resulting in 37 fatalities out of the 38 occupants.
• Template:Date2Template:ThinspAn An‑72 carrying Kazakhstani border patrol personnel crashed near Shymkent, killing all 27 individuals onboard.
• Template:Date2Template:ThinspAn An‑72 operated by the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Air Force crashed with four crew members and four passengers aboard; there were no survivors. {{refn     title =ASN Aircraft accident Antonov An ‑72 EK ‑72903 Kole     url=https ://aviation-safety.net/database /record.php ?id =20191010 ‑0     url-status=l ive     archive-url=https ://archive.today /20220527035844 /https ://aviation-safety.net/database /record.php ?id =20191010 ‑0     archive-date =2022 ‑05 ‑27     access-date =2022 ‑05 ‑27     website=Aviation Safety Network     language=en }} }}
• Template:Date2Template:ThinspAn explosion destroyed an An‑72 operated by the Russian Navy at Ostafyevo airfield near Moscow. The blast originated from the main power unit, causing damage valued at roughly US$4.5 million.

Specifications (An-72)

File:Antonov An-72 3view.svg

External links

• Overview of An-72/An-74 Series (Specifications for An-72A & complete catalog of An-72/An-74 variants)
• Collection of An-74 Photographs
• Official page for AN-74TK-300 variant at Antonov
• Details on AN-74T modification at Antonov
• Information on AN-74T-200A variant
• Data on AN-74TK-300D version
• Overview of An-71 'Madcap' by O.K.Antonov (archived)
• Article and images related to An-71 (archived)
• Technical specifications for An-71 at globalsecurity.org