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Antonov An-72 (Coaler)
The Antonov An-72 Coaler proved to be a successful design, adding a degree of manuverability at low altitudes to its existing STOL capabilities.
By Staff Writer
The An-72 "Coaler" was another Antonov Design Bureau creation designed to assist the Soviet military in logistical sorties as a tactical transport. The design was of a unique and very identifiable nature, placing the powerful turbofans up high on the high monoplane wings. The system itself was designed as a replacement for the An-26 "Curl" and would go on to see service with various "Soviet-friendly" nations around the globe.
First flying in 1977 as a pair of prototypes, actual production models were not made available until the mid-1980's and, even then, these were highly modified from their original forms. The An-72 was designed with Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) in mind and proved to be maneuverable as well. The high mounted engines were purposefully placed as such where the engine exhaust could feed over trailing edge devices, effectively increasing low level performance.
The An-72 platform went on to spawn other variants that included maritime surveillance An-72P model, the An-71 "Madcap" AEW model and the An-74 "improved Coaler" upgraded engines and a conventional engine mounting. The An-72P was actually developed in conjunction with Israeli Aircraft Industries and featured revised cockpit glass design, specialized Elta radar, electronic warfare systems and long range day/night observation equipment and systems.
Text ©2003-2009 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved •
No Reproduction Without Permission • Corrections / Comments to MilitaryFactory at Gmail dot com
Last Revision: 3/19/2009
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| Specifications for the Antonov An-72 (Coaler-C) |
 Dimensions: |
Length: 94.16ft (28.70m)
Width:104.66ft (31.90m)
Height: 28.38ft (8.65m)
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| Performance: |
About MACH |
Max Speed: 438mph (705kmh; 381kts)
Max Range: 497miles (800km)
Rate-of-Climb: 0ft/min (0m/min)
Service Ceiling: 125,246ft (38,175m; 23.7miles)
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| Structure: |
Accommodation: 3
Hardpoints: 0
Empty Weight: 41,998lbs (19,050kg)
MTOW: 76,059lbs (34,500kg)
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| Powerplant: |
| Engine(s): 2 x Lotarev D-36 turbofan engines generating 14,330lbs of thrust each. |
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| Armament Suite: |
Usually None.
An-72P model:
1 x 23mm gun pod,
2 x UB-23M rocket launcher system
4 x 220lb internally-held bombs
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| Pictures of the Antonov An-72 (Coaler) |
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Aircraft Quick Profile |
Image courtesy of the United States Department of Defense.
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| 1986 |
Designation: Antonov An-72 (Coaler)
Classification Type: Tactical Military Transport
Contractor: Antonov Design Bureau - Soviet Union
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Production Total: Not Available |
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Operators: Iran, Moldova, Peru, Ukraine and the Soviet Union (Russia).
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| Variants |
An-72 - Base Series Designation
An-72A - Base Production Model Designation
An-72AT - International Cargo Specialized Variant.
An-72S - VIP Passenger Transport
An-72P - Maritime Patrol Variant; fitted with 23mm cannon, 4 x internal bombs, specialized tracking equipment and rocket pods.
An-72 "Coaler-C"
An-74 - Improved "Coaler" specialized for extreme cold operation; uprated engines; improved avionics system.
An-71 "Madcap" - Airborne Early Warning Platform.
An-74A - Enlarged Radome Nose
An-74T - Freighter Variant
An-74TK - Convertible Passenger/Cargo Variant
An-74P "Salon" - VIP Transport Variant
An-74-400 - "Stretched" Transport Variant
An-74TK-300 - D-436 turbofan engines in conventional underwing mounting.
An-174 - "Stretched" Transport/Passenger Variant.
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