Antonov An-26
| An-26 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| An-26 of the Serbian Air Force | |
| Role | Transport aircraft |
| National origin | Soviet Union (Ukraine) |
| Design group | Antonov |
| First flight | 21 May 1969 |
| Status | Operational |
| Primary users |
Soviet Air Force Pakistan Air Force |
| Produced | 1969–1986 |
| Number built | 1,403 |
| Developed from | Antonov An-24 |
| Variants | Antonov An-32 |
The Antonov An-26 (NATO reporting name: Curl) is a twin-engined turboprop civilian and military transport aircraft, designed and produced in the Soviet Union from 1969 to 1985.
After successful operations of the An-24T tactical transport in austere locations, interest in a version with a retractable cargo ramp increased. Initial studies for the retractable ramp were carried out as part of the projected An-40 medium transport. When given the go-ahead for the An-26 in March 1968 the Antonov OKB adapted the ramp design of the An-40 to the An-24 fuselage, thus was born the An-26. Particular attention was given to the military mission and the majority of early An-26 production was delivered to the VTA (voyenno-transportnoy aviatsii).
Using the majority of the An-24 airframe, with its high-set cantilevered wings, twin turboprops and stalky main undercarriage, the An-26 included military equipment, such as tip-up paratroop canvas seats, overhead traveling hoist, bulged observation windows and parachute static line attachment cables. The An-26 made its public debut at the 27th Paris Air Show at Le Bourget where the second prototype, CCCP-26184 (c/n00202), was shown in the static aircraft park.
The An-26 is also manufactured without a license agreement in China by Xian Aircraft Factory as the Y-14, later changed to be included in the Xian Y7 series.
The An-26 has a secondary bomber role with underwing bomb racks. In the bombing role it was extensively used by the Sudanese Air Force during the Second Sudanese Civil War and the War in Darfur. Also Russian Forces train with the An-26 as a bomber.
1 aircraft stored from 2005 to 2014 will resume service in the spring of 2016.
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988–89
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