Antonov An-225 Mriya

The Antonov An‑225 Mriya, built by the Ukrainian aerospace corporation Antonov, is the largest and most capable cargo aircraft ever produced. Developed in the 1980s to transport the Soviet Buran space‑shuttle components, the first prototype – serial number 1 – rolled out in 1988 and made its maiden flight in December 1989. A single airframe entered service, while a second unfinished fuselage was left incomplete after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Powered by six Progress D‑18 turbofan engines, the An‑225 boasts a maximum take‑off weight of 640 tonnes, a wingspan of 88.4 m, and a cargo hold that can accommodate 250‑tonne loads, including three standard intermodal containers side by side. Its eight‑wheel nose gear and four‑wheel main gear enable operation from relatively short concrete runways. The aircraft’s record‑setting capabilities – longest distance flown with a 250‑tonne payload and highest altitude for a fully loaded airliner – have made it indispensable for transporting oversized equipment such as generators, wind‑turbine sections, and humanitarian aid. Though destroyed in 2022 during the conflict in Ukraine, the An‑225 remains an iconic symbol of engineering ambition and continues to influence the design of future super‑heavy transports.

Antonov

Antonov An-225 Mriya

Classification

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Performance

Production & History

Design & Classification

External References