Despite the fact that the production of the An-12 aircraft ceased in the USSR 53 years ago, this machine is still actively used in military transport aviation and by other carriers.
The development of the four-engine aircraft at the Antonov Design Bureau began in the 1950s. The first prototype of the An-12 flew at the end of 1957, and in 1959 it began to be used in the Air Force of the USSR and in Polar aviation.
The "Iron Bird" became the first mass aircraft in military transport aviation, providing mass landing of both paratroopers and airborne combat equipment.
After the termination of production of the An-12 in 1972, the Soviet Union did not begin to create its successor. Today, about 70 such cargo aircraft are operated in Russia, and the youngest of them is already more than half a century old (at least 53 years). Despite regular maintenance at aircraft repair enterprises, their age raises serious questions.
The An-12 turned out to be successful and hardy. Its 4 AI-20 turboprop engines in the basic version produce a power of 4000 hp each (4250 hp in take-off mode). The aircraft crew consists of 6 people. The maximum take-off weight reaches 61 tons. The An-12 develops a maximum speed of 665 km/h.
Earlierwww1 reported thatAlgeria may receive a batch ofsix Su-34.
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