Antonov An-74

Antonov An-74

Company type	Transport aircraft
Industry	Aerospace
Predecessor	An-72
Founded	September 29, 1983 (1983-09-29)
Founder	Antonov design bureau
Successor	An-148
Headquarters	Kyiv , Ukraine (formerly Soviet Union)
Area served	Arctic, Antarctic, polar regions, short to medium distances globally
Products	An-74 transport aircraft and variants
Owner	Antonov design bureau

Overview

The Antonov An-74 (Russian: Антонов Ан-74, NATO reporting name: Coaler) is a transport aircraft originating from the Soviet Union and later Ukraine, engineered by the Antonov design bureau. This model is an advancement of the An-72, featuring enhanced avionics, improved radar systems, an extended operational range, a five-member crew configuration, and a larger compartment for avionics. It also has the option to be fitted with ski landing gear for versatile operations.

Both the An-72 and An-74 are colloquially known as Cheburashka, a nickname derived from their distinctive large engine air intake ducts. These ducts bear a resemblance to the prominent ears of the well-known Soviet animated character Cheburashka.

Design and development

Originally conceived as an enhancement of the An-72 prototype, the An-74 was tailored specifically for operations in the Arctic and Antarctica regions, initially designated as the An-72A "Arctic". Its primary function is to transport cargo, equipment, and personnel over short to medium distances under extreme weather conditions, ranging from −60 to 45 °C (−76 to 113 °F), across all latitudes including the North Pole, and at elevated altitudes. The aircraft is capable of operating from rudimentary airstrips such as those composed of concrete, gravel, ice, or snow.

Developed concurrently with the An-72, the An-74 can be equipped with wheel-ski landing gear, advanced de-icing systems, and various modifications that enable it to perform effectively in polar environments.

File:Antonov An-74 2.jpg

An-74 touching down with thrust reversers engaged

A distinctive characteristic of the An-74 (shared with the An-72) is its exploitation of the Coandă effect to enhance STOL capabilities. This is achieved by directing engine exhaust over the upper surface of the wings to increase lift. The aircraft is powered by the Lotarev D-36 turbofan engine. Its design bears a resemblance to the Boeing YC-14, an early 1970s prototype that also featured overwing engines and utilized the Coandă effect.

The rear fuselage incorporates a hinged loading ramp, with a fairing that retracts backward and upward to provide clearance. The An-74 can carry a payload of approximately 11 tons, accommodating up to ten passengers in its cargo configuration or seating up to 52 in its passenger layout. It has a service ceiling of 10,100 metres (33,100 ft) and cruises at speeds between 550 to 700 kilometres per hour (300 to 380 kn; 340 to 430 mph). This aircraft is also suited for specialized missions such as:

• pilotage and escorting vessels;
• establishing and maintaining drifting stations;
• conducting research in polar regions;
• performing visual ice reconnaissance;
• monitoring fisheries.

Operational history

Template:Update The inaugural flight of the An-74 occurred on September 29, 1983, following four years after the initial flight of its predecessor, the An-72. Shortly thereafter, it underwent cold-weather trials and commenced Arctic missions, fulfilling its intended operational role. A notable mission includes evacuating personnel from Arctic station SP-32 on March 6, 2004.

By January 1, 2006, twenty-three out of thirty An-74 aircraft registered in Russia were actively serving.

Variants

File:Antonov An-74TK-200VIP, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine AN1532079.jpg

Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine An-74TK-200VIP

File:Antonov An-74D AN1528064.jpg

Shar Ink An-74D

• An-74: Designed for Arctic and Antarctic missions featuring a five-person crew, enhanced fuel tanks, an enlarged radar housed in a bulged nose radome, upgraded navigation systems, superior de-icing capabilities, and optional wheel-skis landing gear.
• An-74-200: Military transport variant derived from the An-74T.
• An-74-200D: Executive/VIP transport version based on the An-74TK-200; also known as An-74D.
• An-74A: Configured as either passenger or cargo aircraft.
• An-74MP: Marine Patrol variant capable of carrying 44 troops, 22 paratroopers, 16 stretchers with medical personnel, or ten tons of freight.
• An-74T: Cargo model equipped with an internal winch, roller systems, cargo securing points; adaptable for static lines for paratroop deployment or air-dropping supplies.
• An-74T-100: Cargo version operated by a four-person crew.
• An-74T-200: Cargo model requiring two crew members.
• An-74T-200A: Military transport aircraft.
• An-74TK-100: Convertible version of the An-74T-100 configurable for passengers, cargo, or mixed use.
• An-74TK-100S: Medical evacuation variant derived from the An-74TK-100.
• An-74TK-200: Convertible model based on the An-74T-200.
• An-74TK-200C: Cargo-specific variant of the An-74TK-200.
• An-74TK-200S: Medevac version adapted from the An-74T-200.
• An-74TK-300: Combination aircraft featuring underslung engines; this design evolved into the An-148.
• An-74TK-300D: VIP adaptation of the An-74TK-300.
• An-74-400: Proposed stretched variant of the An-74TK-300 incorporating a fuselage extension of approximately 26 ft (8 m) and upgraded engines; also referred to as An-174.

File:Antonov An-74TK-300D 3.jpg

The underslung-engine configuration on the An-74TK-300D

An-148: A derivative designed primarily for civil aviation customers featuring more fuel-efficient engines mounted conventionally beneath the wings. This trade-off sacrifices some STOL performance for reduced operational costs and increased speed. The model also emphasizes enhanced avionics and passenger comfort. Initially designated as An-74TK-300, it completed its first flight in 2004.

Civilian

File:RA-74051 AN72(74TK-100) UTair Cargo - United Nations livery VKO UUWW 1 (33619839673).jpg

An UTair Cargo An-74TK-100 adorned with United Nations markings

Template:IRN

• Pouya Air

Template:RUS

• UTair Cargo
• Shar Ink
• 2nd Sverdlovsk Air Enterprise

Template:UKR

• Motor Sich Airlines

Military

File:An An-74TK-200 of IRGC.jpg

An An-74TK-200 operated by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

Template:EGY

• Egyptian Air Force: Nine units of the An-74T-200A variant are in service, with an additional four aircraft on order

Template:IRN

• Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force: Operates four An-74TK-200 and seven An-74T-200 aircraft; subsequently, these were transferred to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard

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• Turkmen Air Force: Possesses two An-74TK-200 planes

Notable accidents and incidents

• On 16 September 1991, an An-74 transporting a cargo of fish from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy to Kyiv via stops at Lensk and Omsk crashed shortly after departing from Lensk Airport, resulting in the loss of all 13 occupants. The accident was attributed to the aircraft being overloaded and the wing flaps being retracted prematurely.
• On 23 April 2006, an An-74TK-200 operated by the Libyan Air Force, carrying humanitarian aid to Chad, crashed near Kousséri village in Cameroon after aborting its landing at N'Djamena. All six crew members from Ukraine perished.
• On 27 November 2006, an Antonov An-74 belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, bearing serial number 15-2255, crashed during takeoff at Tehran Mehrabad Airport. Among the 38 individuals on board, 37 lost their lives.
• On 17 May 2014, an An-74TK-300 operated by the Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force crashed in northern Laos's Xiangkhouang Province, nearly 500 kilometres (310 mi) from Vientiane. The flight was carrying Laos Defence Minister Douangchay Phichit along with other high-ranking officials.
• On 29 July 2017, an An-74TK100 registered UR-CKC and operated by CAVOK Air was destroyed beyond repair after overrunning the runway during a rejected takeoff at São Tomé International Airport. The incident involved a birdstrike which led to the aborted takeoff.
• On 3 August 2020, UTair's An-74TK-100 with registration RA-74044 was written off following a runway excursion upon landing at Gao International Airport, Mali, after a flight from Modibo Keita International Airport. The aircraft was engaged in operations for the United Nations mission MINUSMA. Although no fatalities occurred, all eleven occupants sustained injuries of varying degrees.
• On 24 February 2022, reports indicated that an unidentified Antonov An-74 was destroyed by Russian artillery fire during combat operations in Hostomel, Kyiv region. This event occurred alongside the destruction of the Antonov An-225 Mriya and other aircraft.

External links

• Technical specifications for An-74TK-200
• Overview of An-72/An-74 Family (Includes data on An-72A & comprehensive list of all An-72/An-74 variants)
• Gallery of An-74 images
• KSAMC site details for An-74TK-200 variant
• KSAMC page on An-74TK-300 modification
• Official Antonov site for AN-74TK-300 variant
• Antonov’s official page for AN-74T modification