For over 40 years, the An-124 "Ruslan" has remained one of the most cargo-lifting serial aircraft in aviation history. Despite the cessation of production, these machines still transport tanks, helicopters, turbines, and other oversized equipment worldwide.
"Pervyy Tekhnicheskiy" answers the three most popular questions about this legendary transport aircraft.
How many An-124s are left in the world?
Throughout the period of serial production in Kyiv and Ulyanovsk, 56 serial An-124s were built. Some aircraft have been lost, but most continue to exist.
Today, several dozen "Ruslans" are in operation, with Russia and Antonov Airlines remaining the largest operators.
How many An-124s are in Russia?
Russia has the largest fleet of these aircraft. In total, there are about 36 An-124s in the country, including those of the Aerospace Forces and civilian carriers.
However, not all aircraft are simultaneously in airworthy condition: some are undergoing repairs, modernization, or are in reserve. It is the Russian "Ruslans" that currently perform the majority of super-heavy cargo transportation within the country and abroad.
How does the An-124 differ from the An-225?
The main difference is their purpose and size. The An-124 was created as a heavy military transport aircraft with a payload capacity of up to 120 tons and became a serial production machine.
The An-225 "Mriya" is a significantly enlarged version of the "Ruslan". It received six engines instead of four, an elongated fuselage, a twin-tail empennage, and a maximum payload capacity of up to 250 tons.