Liutyi

The Antonov Liutyi is a medium‑range, twin‑engine turboprop transport aircraft developed by the Ukrainian design bureau Antonov in the early 1990s to replace aging Soviet‑era cargo planes. Work began in 1990 under the internal designation An‑112, and the prototype made its first flight on 15 July 1993 from the Kyiv‑Boryspil test field. Serial production started in 1996 at the Antonov plant in Kyiv, with a total of 84 units delivered to civil operators, the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and several humanitarian organizations. The Liutyi features a high‑mounted, rectangular wing with advanced composite leading edges, a pressurised cabin capable of carrying up to 27 metric tons of payload or 70 passengers, and modern avionics including a glass cockpit, GPS‑based navigation, and fly‑by‑wire controls for reduced pilot workload. Its four‑bladed AV‑68 propellers provide efficient short‑field performance, allowing operation from unpaved runways as short as 1,200 meters. The aircraft’s reliability, low operating costs, and versatility have made it a workhorse in regions with limited infrastructure, contributing to disaster relief missions and remote cargo delivery. The Liutyi is regarded as a symbol of post‑Soviet innovation, demonstrating Antonov’s ability to blend rugged Soviet design philosophy with contemporary Western technology.

Antonov

Classification

Design & Classification