User:BadaBoom/Antonov-74

Design and development
An-74 was initially the upgrade of the An-72 test aircraft to be used at the Arctica and Antarctica and had the designation An-72A "Arctic". The aircraft's main purpose was to deliver cargo, equipment and personnel over short- and medium-range routs in any climatic conditions ranging from −60°C to +45°C and at any longitudes, including the North Pole, and high altitudes. It can operate to and from low grade airstrips such as concrete, pebble, ice and snow aerodromes.

Produced in tandem with the An-72, the An-74 can be fitted with wheel-skis landing gear, de-icing equipment and a number of other upgrades allowing the aircraft to support operations in Arctic or Antarctic environments.

An unusual design feature of the An-74 (as well as An-72) is the use of the Coandă effect to improve STOL performance, utilizing engine exhaust gases blown over the wing's upper surface to boost lift. The power plant used is the Lotarev D-36 turbofan engine. The An-74 bears a resemblance to the Boeing YC-14, a prototype design from the early 1970s which had also used overwing engines and the Coandă effect.

The rear fuselage of the aircraft has a hinged loading ramp with a rear fairing that slides backwards and up to clear the opening. An-74 has the payload of 7.5 tons, including up to 10 passengers/couriers (up to 52 passengers depending on the variant), operating ceiling of 10,100 meters and cruising speed of 550—700 kph. The aircraft may also be used for highly specialized operations:
 * pilotage and vessel escort;
 * establishing and servicing of drifting stations;
 * research operations in Arctic or Antarctic regions;
 * visual ice patrol;
 * fishery reconnaissance.

Operation
As of Jan 1, 2006, 23 out of 30 aircraft registered in Russia we in operation.

Variants

 * An-74: Arctic/Antarctic support model with room for five crew, increased fuel capacity, larger radar in bulged nose radome, improved navigation equipment, better de-icing equipment, and can be fitted with wheel-skis landing gear.


 * An-74A: Passenger or freighter model.


 * An-74MP: Marine Patrol version. Can transport 44 soldiers, 22 para-troops, 16 stretchers with medical staff, or 10 tonnes of cargo.


 * An-74T: Freighter version equipped with an internal winch, roller equipment, and cargo mooring points, can also be fitted with static lines for paratroops or dropping air cargo.


 * An-74T-100: Variant of the An-74T fitted with a navigator station.


 * An-74D


 * An-74-100: Variant of the An-74T fitted with a navigator station


 * An-74-200: Military transport based on the An-74T


 * An-74TK: Convertible passenger/cargo model that can be equipped for up to 52 passengers, all cargo, or a mix of the two.


 * An-74TK-100: Variant of the An-74TK fitted with a navigator station.


 * An-74TK-200: Variant of the An-74TK configured for only two flight crew


 * An-74TK-200C: Cargo variant of An-74TK-200


 * An-74TK-300: Upgraded model primarily for civil customers with more fuel efficient engines in a conventional underwing position, lacks the STOL capabilities of earlier models but is less expensive to operate.


 * An-74T-200: Military Transport aircraft


 * An-74T-200A: Military Transport aircraft


 * An-74TK-300: An-74TK model primarily for civil customers with more fuel efficient engines on conventional underwing pylons that gives up the STOL capabilities of earlier models in favor of lower operating cost and higher speed, also incorporates improved avionics and passenger comfort features


 *  An-74TK-300D: An An-74 with engines fitted underneath the wings.


 * An-74-400: Proposed stretch model of the An-74TK-300 with a fuselage insert to extend length by 26 ft (8 m), also would be equipped with uprated engines.