Antonov An-70

Antonov · Ukraine · first flew 1994 · transport aircraft

The An-70 is a large four-engine medium military transport notable for its unique Progress D-27 propfans driving contra-rotating scimitar propellers.

Recognition (WEFT)

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

• Four contra-rotating propfans
• High wing with rear cargo ramp
• Deep wide fuselage

Unmistakable are the four propfan installations, each with a pair of contra-rotating, many-bladed scimitar propellers. It otherwise shows a broad high wing, deep fuselage and a rear cargo ramp with a conventional tail.

Specifications

• The Antonov An-70 has a length of 40.73 m (134 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 44.06 m (145 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 780 km/h (485 mph).
• Typical crew: 3 (2 pilots and flight engineer).

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

First flown in 1994, the An-70 was intended as a next-generation tactical airlifter offering jet-like speed with turboprop efficiency and short-field performance. The programme was disrupted by a prototype crash and by the political fallout of Russo-Ukrainian relations, limiting production to a handful of aircraft.

Variants

Beyond the base transport, proposed developments included the shortened An-70T and various commercial freighter studies, none of which reached series production.

Where you'll see it

The An-70 remained essentially a Ukrainian and prospective Russian programme and never entered UK or Western service, though its propfan technology was closely watched during European transport studies.

Related aircraft

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• Antonov An-140
• An-225 Mriya
• Antonov An-71
• Beluga (A300-600ST)
• T-101 Grach
• Bombardier 415 (Canadair 415 SuperScooper)
• Canadair CL-415

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