Here at Simple Flying, we have published several articles, some recently, about the behemoth aircraft known as Mriya, the An-225. Of course, during its lifespan, it broke several records including, but not at all limited to, the heaviest-built aircraft, largest wingspan, and carrying the heaviest payload. But how does it compare to its record-breaking cousin, the An-22?
What is the An-22?
With its maiden voyage at the end of February 1965 and appearing publicly outside the Soviet Union at that year’s Paris Air Show, the Antonov An-22 Antei is a high-wing multi-engine aircraft tasked with military and humanitarian transport. Initially built to support the Soviet Air Force and Aeroflot, it was and remains the largest turboprop aircraft. Overall it looks like a very large An-12, as they both feature four turboprop engines, but has a twin tail.
Photo: Oleksandr Naumenko | Shutterstock
Compared to the single, destroyed An-225 that will be rebuilt (as listed “on repair” in ch-aviation), there were 67 An-22s built, spanning three variants: the original An-22, the An-22A with some general equipment upgrades, and one An-22PZ featuring a centerline fin and can carry An-124 or An-225 wings. Overall, the An-22 required a crew of 5 or 6, could carry up to 29 passengers, and had an MTOW of 250,000 kg / 551,156 lb.
This is impressive, and its four Kuznetsov NK-12MA turboprop engines, providing 11,000 kW (15,000 shp) each, enabled speeds of 740 kph (460 mph) and a 5,000 km (3,100 mi, 2,700 NM) range with maximum payload. The Antei was, on average, 57.92 m (190 ft 0 in) long, with a 64.4 m (211 ft 3 in) wingspan and 12.53 m (41 ft 1 in) high. With its empty weight of 114,000 kg (251,327 lb), all of this was held up by 12 main gear wheels plus two at the nose.
How does it compare to the An-225?
By all accounts, the An-22 is a beast of an airliner. However, stacking up against Mriya’s recognizable six Progress D-18T turbofans, creating 229.5 kN (51,600 lbf) or thrust each, these aircraft are in different classes. According to ch-aviation, the An-225 had an MTOW of 640,000 kg / 1,410,958 lb, just under three times that of the An-22, and could travel at max speeds of 870 km/h (540 mph).
Photo: Liner/Shutterstock
And weighing precisely 2.5 times as much as its smaller cousin, at 285,000 kg (628,317 lb), the An-225 is supported by a whopping 32 wheels, 28 for the main and four at the nose; another of its many accolades. It’s no wonder the former world’s largest aircraft was hired to do the impossible, like move 130-ton generators, wind turbine wings, and locomotives by air.
That said, it’s incredible to think about how, over the course of two decades, the Antonov Design Bureau would innovate in such a manner. They brought not only an awe-inspiring turboprop airliner to fruition but also the mammoth An-225, which we hope to see flying again as soon as possible.