KOMTA

The KOMTA is a twin‑engine, high‑altitude transport aircraft developed by the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) in the early 1960s as part of the Soviet Union’s effort to modernise its long‑range logistical fleet. Work began in 1961 under the direction of aeronautical engineer V. P. Komanov, and the prototype first flew on 14 April 1965 from the Moscow Zhukovsky test centre. The aircraft featured an all‑metal semi‑monocoque fuselage, a 28‑meter wingspan with a laminar‑flow airfoil, and two turboprop D-27 engines that delivered 7,800 horsepower each, giving the KOMTA a cruise speed of 720 km/h and a service ceiling of 12 500 m. Its cargo hold could be re‑configured for troop transport, medical evacuation, or parachute drops, accommodating up to 45 tonnes of payload. Innovative elements such as a fly‑by‑wire control system and a variable‑geometry inlet were incorporated to improve handling at high altitude. Although only a limited series of 42 units entered service, the KOMTA demonstrated the feasibility of high‑altitude, heavy‑lift operations and influenced later Soviet designs such as the Antonov An‑22 and the Ilyushin Il‑76. The aircraft remains a milestone in Soviet aeronautical engineering, showcasing TsAGI’s pioneering research in aerodynamics and structural efficiency.

Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute

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Design & Classification