Antonov An-70

The advanced military transport built for short-field operations and heavy tactical airlift.

Overview

Antonov Ukraine ICAO: AN70 2010–2015 $60 million

The Antonov An-70 is a large military transport aircraft developed in the final years of the Soviet Union. Designed to combine jet-like cruise speeds with short takeoff performance, it introduced a distinctive propfan propulsion system. The aircraft was intended to replace earlier Soviet tactical transports.

Live Fleet Activity (AN70)

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Specifications

Units
Engine
4 × Progress D-27 propfans
Engine type
Turboprop
Power
4 × 13,880 shp · 10,350 kW
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
300
Crew
—
Cabin width
13 ft 1 in  ·  4.00 m
Cabin height
13 ft 5 in  ·  4.10 m
Cabin length
73 ft 6 in  ·  22.40 m
Exterior length
133 ft 8 in  ·  40.73 m
Tail height
53 ft 9 in  ·  16.38 m
Fuselage diameter
14 ft 5 in  ·  4.40 m
Wing span
144 ft 7 in  ·  44.06 m
Baggage volume
424 ft³  ·  12.0 m³
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
319,500 lb  ·  145,000 kg
Max landing weight
—
Max payload
103,500 lb  ·  47,000 kg
Fuel capacity
10,050 gal · 38,000 L · 30,400 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
400 kt  ·  460 mph  ·  741 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
—
Range
3,563 nm  ·  4,100 mi  ·  6,600 km
Fuel burn
2.31 nm/gal  ·  1.13 km/L
Ceiling
39,000 ft  ·  11,900 m
Rate of climb
4,900 ft/min  ·  25 m/s
Takeoff distance
5,900 ft  ·  1,800 m
Landing distance
6,550 ft  ·  2,000 m
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Antonov An-70 Ramenskoye Airport

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Operational Context

Antonov An-70 — four-engine propfan military transport

The An-70 first flew in 1994 as part of a program to modernize Soviet and later Ukrainian military transport fleets. Antonov engineers designed the aircraft with a high wing and advanced propfan engines mounted above the wing. This configuration allowed efficient cruise speeds while maintaining strong lift at low speeds for short runway operations.

Four Progress D-27 propfan engines producing approximately 13,800 shaft horsepower each power the aircraft. Cruise speed approaches 420 knots (778 km/h), which is unusually high for a propeller-driven transport. Maximum takeoff weight exceeds 300,000 pounds (135,000 kg), with payload capacity of roughly 100,000 pounds (45,000 kg).

The An-70 was intended to replace aircraft such as the An-12 in tactical airlift roles. Development faced delays and political challenges following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although several prototypes flew and demonstrated impressive performance, the program ultimately saw limited production and uncertain operational deployment.