Dan

The Dan, developed by the Soviet design bureau OKB Simonov, emerged in the early 1970s as a response to the USSR’s need for a versatile, medium‑range transport capable of operating from unprepared fields. Work on the project began in 1968 under the direction of chief designer Aleksandr Simonov, who sought to combine rugged simplicity with modern aerodynamics. The first prototype rolled out in 1972 and completed its maiden flight in April 1973, demonstrating a high‑wing monoplane layout, all‑metal airframe, and a spacious cargo bay that could accommodate up to ten standard pallets or twelve fully equipped troops. Powered by two Ivchenko‑Progress AI‑24V turboprop engines, the Dan achieved a cruise speed of 480 km/h and a range of 2 400 km, while its fixed landing gear and reinforced undercarriage allowed operations from gravel strips, frozen tundra, and forward operating bases. Over 250 units were produced between 1974 and 1986, serving both civilian airlines in remote Soviet regions and military transport units. The Dan’s durability, low operating costs, and ability to deliver supplies in harsh climates cemented its reputation as a workhorse of Soviet aviation, influencing later utility aircraft designs in the post‑Cold‑War era.