List of Antonov An-12 variants

Antonov

Industry	Aerospace
Founded	1946
Founder	Oleg Antonov
Headquarters	Kyiv , Ukraine
Products	Aircraft, including Antonov An-12

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File:Antonov An-12 of the Russian Air Force landing at Vladivostok Airport (1).jpg

An Antonov An-12 of the Russian Air Force touching down at Vladivostok Airport

File:Ukraine Air Alliance Antonov An-12 at PRG.JPG

Antonov An-12 (registration UR-CAK) operated by Ukraine Air Alliance at Václav Havel Airport Prague, Czech Republic (PRG)

The Antonov An-12 is a military transport aircraft featuring four turboprop engines, engineered and manufactured by Antonov. It was produced in numerous specialized configurations to serve both domestic and international demands.

This aircraft fulfilled a variety of roles including military transport, emergency response, movement of troops and equipment, passenger and freight carriage, as well as search and rescue missions involving space vehicles, their crews, and distressed aircraft.

Standard production

An-12

A cantilever monoplane constructed entirely from metal, featuring a high-mounted wing, a single vertical stabilizer, and retractable landing gear. This was the initial military transport model equipped with four 4,000 hp (3,000 kW) Ivchenko AI-20A engines.

An-12A

The first mass-produced variant featuring enhancements such as four additional fuel tanks in the inner wing sections and upgraded 4,250 hp (3,170 kW) AI-20K engines. Later iterations incorporated underfloor fuel tanks and were designated An-12AP.

An-12AD

A single unit built in Tashkent (CCCP-11528 No.2) delivered under this designation without a specified reason for the suffix.

An-12AP

A modified version of the An-12A featuring two additional fuel tanks beneath the floor as per the An-12P design.

An-12B

Enhanced model with detachable outer wing panels incorporating integral fuel tanks (1,390 L (310 imp gal; 370 US gal)), strengthened wings to support increased fuel load, a dedicated Flight Engineer station, more powerful cargo winches, and a TG-16 auxiliary power unit housed in the port undercarriage fairing—necessitating removal of rear bomb pylons from these fairings. Powered by Ivchenko AI-20M engines offering improved reliability at similar output to AI-20K. Some were produced as civilian transports with all military equipment removed but retained the same designation.

An-12B (LIAT)

('Laboratoriya Issledovaniya Aviatsionnoy Tekhniki' – aviation equipment research laboratory) In 1972, one An-12B was converted into an airborne accident investigation lab equipped with crash analysis gear and voice recording systems.

An-12B-30

A proposed version with a payload capacity of 30 tonnes (66,140 lb), intended to be powered by 5,180 hp (3,860 kW) AI-20DK engines.

An-12B-I

('Individooal'naya zashchita' – individual protection) This electronic warfare variant featured the Fasol active jamming system; only seven units were built or converted.

An-12BK

('Kompleks' – avionics) Designed exclusively for Military Transport Aviation (VTA), this version had an increased payload of 30 tonnes (66,140 lb), enhanced avionics suite, TG-16M auxiliary power unit, and a widened cargo door similar to that on the An-12BP.

An-12BK-IS

('Individooal'naya zaschita s sistemoy Seeren' – individual protection with Siren system) Forty units were outfitted as electronic countermeasure platforms carrying Fasol and Sirena systems installed in four pods beneath the forward fuselage sides and near the gunner’s position. Formation keeping equipment was located under a dielectric panel on the flight deck escape hatch. From 1974 onwards, another 105 aircraft were modified with Bar'yer and Siren systems plus automatic infrared jammers.

An-12BK-PPS

('Postanovchik Pomekh Siren') Evolved from the An-12PP ECM variant, this model included the Sirena system in four pods plus Booket jammers and chaff dispensers located in the tail cone or later relocated to the cargo door. Nineteen conversions served with the VVS until at least 2006; three were later demilitarized and returned to transport roles.

An-12BKTs

Nicknamed "Cyclone," this laboratory variant was configured for meteorological research. Two units were converted in 1979.

An-12BKK

Known as Kapsoola (capsule), this single conversion served as a VIP transport for VTA in 1975 featuring a pressurized cabin capsule.

An-12BKSh

('Shturmanskij') Navigator trainer variant equipped with ten trainee stations.

An-12BKT

('Toplivovoz' – tanker) Introduced in 1972 as an aerial refueling platform capable of servicing two aircraft simultaneously with a transferable load of 19,500 L (4,300 imp gal; 5,200 US gal) fuel.

An-12BKV

Military model fitted with a permanent conveyor belt for bomb or mine deployment via cargo door. Due to poor accuracy, further development was discontinued.

An-12BL

('Laboratornyj') Testbed for Kh-28 anti-radiation missiles carrying two missiles on pylons beside the forward fuselage and two under outer wings—possibly intended for SEAD missions.

An-12BM

('Molniya' – Lightning) A single An-12B adapted as a SATCOM relay platform for communication trials involving Molniya satellites.

File:Volare Antonov An-12 CBR Gilbert.jpg

Volare Airlines Antonov An-12BP at Canberra Airport

An-12BP

Variant of the An-12B fitted with two additional underfloor tanks from the An-12P design along with NAS‑1B1‑28 autonomous navigation system and RSKM‑2 radio coordinate monitoring system. Later production models featured a wider cargo door and revised cabin window arrangements. Some were manufactured as civilian transports without military equipment but retained their designation.

An‑12BPTs

('Tsiklon' – Cyclone) Two Tashkent-built aircraft converted into weather research laboratories equipped with measurement devices and cloud seeding gear before being reverted back to transport configurations.

An‑12BSh

Navigator trainer variant based on the An‑12B featuring ten trainee stations.

An‑12BSM

Enhanced commercial version designed to accommodate standardized freight pallets. The significance of 'BSM' remains unclear.

An‑12BZ‑1

Proposed IFR tanker variant from 1969 featuring a single podded hose/drogue refueling unit.

An‑12BZ‑2

Proposed IFR receiver variant from 1969 equipped with a fixed probe above the cockpit for aerial refueling operations.

An‑12D

Developed starting in 1964 as an extended-payload model featuring redesigned landing gear, tail assembly akin to that of Antonov An‑24, fully pressurized fuselage enlarged in length and width including a rear loading ramp door. Though not proceeded with commercially, it led to development of the STOL-capable An‑40 transport.

An‑12DK

Planned variant powered by 5,500 hp (4,100 kW) Ivchenko AI‑30 turboprops.

An‑12D‑UPS

('Oopravleniye Pogranichnym Sloyem' – boundary layer control) Boundary layer control version of proposed An‑12D featuring two turbo-compressors above wing center feeding air through slots on wings plus one compressor in fin fillet supplying tail surface slots.

An‑12M

('Modifitseerovannyy' – modified) Standard production model powered by 5,180 hp (3,860 kW) AI‑20DM engines offering improved performance but discontinued due to engine production cessation.

An‑12P

Early production model equipped with two supplementary fuel tanks installed beneath cargo hold floor.

An‑12PL

('Polyarny Lyzhnyy' – Polar ski-equipped) Two aircraft outfitted with fixed ski landing gear, heavily insulated hold and cockpit areas plus enhanced onboard heating systems alongside underfloor tanks taken from 'Polar' versions of the An‑12BP.

An‑12PP

('Postanovchik Pomekh') Also known as An‑12BK‑PP, this electronic countermeasures aircraft introduced in 1970 operated within transport formations providing radar jamming using automatic detection systems. It carried 'Booket' jammers emitting signals from three fuselage blisters while chaff dispensers were installed near tail gunner’s position. Cooling for mission equipment was provided by multiple heat exchangers on forward fuselage sides. Twenty-seven conversions were made from BK models with some retaining only chaff dispensers and non-standard antennas. At least two units were demilitarized for civilian use retaining distinctive tail cones.

An‑12PS

('Poiskovo-Spasatel’nyi') Search and rescue variant based on the B model fitted with 'Istok-Golub' emergency UHF homing system along with rescue boats named 'Yorsh' or 'Gagara', droppable inflatable rafts and crews specialized in sea recovery operations including cosmonaut retrievals. Also operated by Soviet Naval Aviation forces.

An‑12R (jet boosted)

Conceptual design for jet-powered version featuring swept wings/tail capable of carrying 25 tonnes over approximately 2,500 kilometres (1,600 mi), powered by four Lotarev D–36 high-bypass turbofans. This design evolved into Antonov's later An–112 project.

An–12R (reconnaissance)

Unconfirmed designation likely applied to limited ELINT variants operated by VVS starting around 1970 fitted with electronic mission equipment housed in dielectric fairings near main landing gear wells plus blade antennas positioned on forward fuselage areas. Some units operated without these antennas.

An–12RR ('Radiatsionnyy Razvedchik')

Nuclear, biological and chemical reconnaissance aircraft carrying RR8311–100 air sampling pods mounted alongside forward fuselage on special cradles. At least two also equipped with toxic agent detectors on starboard side.

An–12RU

Proposed JATO-equipped version fitted with two jettisonable PRD–63 solid rocket boosters attached near aft fuselage sides.

An–12SN ('Spetsialnogo Naznacheniya')

Special mission aircraft designed to airlift Soviet T–54 main battle tanks by widening cargo hold from 3 to 3.45 meters and powered by upgraded 5,180 hp (3,860 kW) AI–20DK engines supplemented by Mikulin RD–9 turbojet mounted at fin base replacing gunner station generating thrust of approximately 3,800 kgf (8,380 lbf). However, development ceased after Antonov’s larger AN–22 proved more suitable for tank transport roles.

An–12T ('Toplivovoz')

Fuel tanker variant designed to carry automotive fuels or aviation propellants including rocket oxidizers within specialized tanks installed inside cargo hold as required.

An–12TP–2

Unique long-range transport customized for Antarctic geophysical surveys featuring extended nose radome housing radar equipment plus magnetic anomaly detector boom extending from gunner’s position along with insulated cabin containing mission-specific gear. Ski landing gear adapted upon arrival at Antarctic base similar to that used on polar variants.

Unexplained 'T' suffix variants produced at Voronezh and Tashkent factories delivered both militarily and commercially without clear rationale

• An–１２TA
• An–１２TB
• An–１２TBP
• An–１２TBK

An–１２U ('Oopravleniye Pogranichnym Sloyem')

A boundary layer control experimental version proposed in 1962 replacing double-slotted Fowler flaps with simpler flaps supplied compressed air from DK1–26 compressors mounted under wings aiming to improve short-field performance especially when combined with JATO assistance.

An–１２UD ('Oovelichennoy Dahl’nosti')

Interim extended-range modification incorporating two auxiliary fuel tanks sourced from Myasishchev M–4 bombers placed inside cargo hold. Prototype converted from Irkutsk-built airframe c/n 9901007.

An–１２UD–3

Similar extended-range modification fitted with three auxiliary tanks also acquired from Myasishchev M–4 bombers converted from Tashkent-built c/n 3341007.

An−１２VKP ("Zebra")

Single Irkutsk-built airframe (c/n 9900902) transformed into an airborne command post carrying three cigar-shaped fairings at wing tips and fin tip plus additional equipment housed along rear fuselage sides including a pressurized command center ("war room"). Ultimately replaced by superior Ilyushin Il−22 "Zebra" command post leading to discontinuation of project.

An−４０

Planned derivative based on expanded AN−１２D airframe powered by four 55,000 hp (41,000 kW) AI−３０ turboprops supplemented by four Kolesov RD−３６−３５ booster/brake engines each rated at approximately , arranged in paired nacelles between inner and outer turboprops featuring thrust reversers. Full-scale mockup completed in 1965 but program cancelled when VVS selected larger Ilyushin Il−７６ instead for production.

An−４０PLO

Anti-submarine warfare adaptation of proposed AN−４０ designed to operate mixed-fuel engines burning kerosene combined with liquid hydrogen propellants.

An−４２

Variant derived from AN−４０ incorporating boundary layer control using compressed air supplied by three turbo-compressors derived from Kolesov RD36−35 turbojet installed above wing center section within fairings.

Antonov AN−１２ gunship

Close air support adaptation armed with twin 57-mm cannons alongside smaller caliber weapons and automatic grenade launchers resembling American AC−130 gunship concept; however in 2021 it was announced that this gunship would not be based on AN−１２ due to failure meeting operational requirements for "flying gunner".

Other versions

File:Myanmar Air Force Shaanxi Y-8 MRD.jpg

Shaanxi Y-8 operated by the Myanmar Air Force.

Shaanxi Y-8

Main article: Shaanxi_Y-8 § Variants

An unauthorized Chinese reproduction of the An-12BP.

Shaanxi Y-9

Main article: Shaanxi_Y-9 § Variants

Developed from the advanced Y-8F model, this is the sole successor to the An-12.

Sever ACV

In 1983, Professor V. Ignat'yev suggested repurposing retired An-12 aircraft as air-cushion vehicles designed for operations in the USSR's far northern regions. Despite support from the Kuibyshev Aviation Institute, a lack of suitable airframes prevented the project from advancing.

An-12 ballistic missile transporter

One An-12 constructed in Irkutsk (c/n 1901507) was modified in 1962 to transport ballistic missiles to launch sites. Due to restrictions on missile types and absence of safeguards against oxidizer leaks, this variant did not enter production.

An-12 with underwing tanks and IFR probe

A proposed in-flight refueling (IFR) modification featuring two 6,000 L (1,300 imp gal; 1,600 US gal) fuel tanks mounted on pylons between the inner and outer engines, along with an IFR probe positioned above the cockpit.

An-12A communications relay aircraft

At least seven An-12A units built in Voronezh were converted into communications relay platforms, equipped with a secondary TA-6 APU installed in the tailcone. Details regarding their specific mission equipment remain undisclosed.

An-12AP

The Magnitometr/Relikt geophysical survey variant. This aircraft, CCCP-12186, was adapted for the Leningrad branch of the Earth Magnetism Institute at the Soviet Navy’s 20th Aircraft Overhaul Plant near Pushkin. It featured a MAD boom extending from the gunner’s station, an L-14MA astro-navigation system mounted atop the MAD boom structure, and a camera affixed to the rear cargo door.

An-12B instrumentation calibration laboratory

Also known as Izdeliye 93T, this single An-12B was outfitted with a comprehensive calibration lab inside its cargo area to facilitate calibration of specialized instruments in remote locations.

An-12BP Polar support

Tailored to assist polar research bases in the Russian Arctic and Antarctica, this model incorporated three bladder fuel tanks within under-floor baggage compartments, providing an additional 9,800 L (2,200 imp gal; 2,600 US gal) of fuel capacity and extending its range to approximately 6,000 km (3,200 nmi; 3,700 mi).

An-12BK SAR variant

A lesser-known search and rescue version equipped with the Istok-Golob emergency UHF radio homing system, comparable to the Western SARBE technology.

Prototype and planned models

An-12 testbeds

Numerous experimental aircraft based on the An-12 platform were developed for flight testing purposes, most of which did not receive distinct suffix identifiers.