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Russia tenders for paratroop training aircraft, AN-3 offered

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  • Russia tenders for paratroop training aircraft, AN-3 offered

    Maybe another story of an old acquaintance donning new dresses

    DATE:26/04/08
    SOURCE:Flight International,
    Russia tenders for paratroop training aircraft
    By Vladimir Karnozov

    The Russian defence ministry has launched a tender for a light utility aircraft to be used as a training platform for paratrooper parachute jumping. Its initial order will be for two aircraft, but a total of 20-30 will eventually be sought.

    Polyet and the Smolensk Aviation Plant have responded, with offers of the Antonov An-3 and Technoavia SM-92T Turbo-Finist. Russian paratroopers currently use outdated An-2 biplanes, around 200 of which are in the inventory, but many are not airworthy. The An-3 is a turboprop-powered conversion of the design that uses an OMKB-developed, Baranov-built 1,400hp (1,045kW) TVD-20M engine. About 20 such conversions have been performed so far for civilian users.

    Antonov An-3 (turboprop version of An-2)


    Antonov and Polyet developed the special paratrooper An-3 version last year. This meets the defence ministry's requirement to carry 12 fully equipped paratroopers. The SM-92T is a turboprop version of the SM-92 Finist, produced in Smolensk since the late 1990s, with 26 airframes delivered so far. It can carry 10 passengers or 700kg (1,540lb) in cargo, compared with the An-3's totals of 12 troops and 1,800kg, respectively. The types have sticker prices of Rb40 million ($1.7 million) and Rb50 million, respectively.

    The SM-92 is a more advanced design than the An-3, featuring highly curved P-12 aerofoils with enhanced lift capability at low speeds, developed by TsAGI for next-generation agricultural and utility aircraft. The type can also reach a defence ministry-specified altitude of 13,800ft (4,200m) in 12-14min, compared with 30min for the An-3.

    Smolensk holds an order for two rocket- and machine gun-armed SM-92Ps from Russia's border guard, which is seeking additional examples with Russian engines, rather than the current Czech-supplied powerplants, while Venezuela has also expressed interest in such a version. Moscow-based MMPP Salyut has teamed with Ukraine's Ivechenko-Progress and Motor Sich on a turboprop version of the 450hp AI450 certificated in a basic turboshaft version and as an auxiliary power unit for the Antonov An-148 regional jet. Two An-3s are meanwhile on order for Kazakhstan's border guard.
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  • #2
    Amazing that they are going to tender to provide an updated version of the An-2. This aircraft was first manufactured in 1947. This aircraft already had the longest run of an production aircraft (45 years). To think that some is going to build new ones (or convert old ones) with turboprop engines is an incredible thought.

    Maybe they could build some Lisunov Li-2's as well with turboprops too while they're at it. (Russian DC-3 knock-off.) Basler could help em.
    Terry
    Lurking at JP since the BA 777 at Heathrow and AD lost responsiveness to the throttles.
    How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth? Sherlock Holmes

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    • #3
      Originally posted by FireLight
      This aircraft already had the longest run of an production aircraft (45 years).
      I thought that claim went to the C-130 - 50-plus years.

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