FReeper Canteen~The Antonov An-225 Mriya~29 March, 2007

The Canteen Crew

[AZamericonnie]

The Antonov An-225 Mriya


The Antonov-225 at Munich Airport

Antonov An-225 "Mriya" is the world's largest aircraft. When it was built, it surpassed any airliner built before by 50%. It was designed for the transportation of the Russian Space Shuttle "Buran" by the Antonov Design Bureau (HQ in Kiev, Ukraine), which already had built good and large cargo aircraft such as the Antonov An-124 "Ruslan". The basic configuration of the An-225 is the same as the An-124, except the An-225 is longer, has no rear ramp/door assembly, and incorporates a 32-wheel landing gear system (two nose and fourteen main wheel bogies, seven per side, each with two wheels).


An-225 carrying the Buran shuttle

An-225 "Mriya" ("Mriya" is Ukrainian word for "dream) is also capable to transport other oversized objects/cargo. It is not a military aircraft, but it could find many military uses, because of the ability to transport cargo that no other aircraft is capable to.

The plane had the first flight in early 1988 and entered service in 1989. It's first flight took 75 minutes. After the cancellation of the Buran space program, the only An-225 built was stored in spring 1994, and it's engines were used for An-124s. In 2001 the aircraft was made airworthy again, and made it's new first flight on May 7. There were rumors that the European Space Agency had plans to launch the unmanned British HoTOL (Horizontal Take-Off and Landing) from the An-225, though these rumors appear to be unfounded. Although, some possibilities for deployment have already been found. Plenty of customers are to be found in the USA. According to Bruce Bird, Director of the Charter Division of Air Foyle, parts of rocket launchers like the Delta and Atlas could be transported in the An-225. Lockheed's planned Venture Star could be transported on its back. Additionally the Mrija could serve as a launch platform for the X-34B. Furthermore big sections of aircraft could be transported in it. The complete assembled fuselage of a Boeing 737 can be fitted in the hold.

General characteristics
Crew: 6
Payload: 250,000 kg (551,000 lb)
Door dimensions: 440 x 640 cm (14.4 x 21.0 ft)
Length: 84 m (276 ft)
Wingspan: 88.40 m (291 ft 2 in)
Height: 18.1 m (59.3 ft)
Wing area: 905.0 m² (9,741 ft²)
Empty weight: 175,000 kg (385,800 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 640,000 kg (1,411,000 lb)
Powerplant: 6× ZMKB Progress D-18 turbofans, 229 kN (51,600 lbf) each
Takeoff run: 3,500 m (11,500 ft) with maximum payload

Performance
Maximum speed: 850 km/h (460 knots, 530 mph)
Cruise speed: 750 km/h (400 knots, 465 mph)
Range:

With maximum fuel: 14,000 km (8,700 mi)
With maximum payload: 4,000 km (2,500 mi)
Service ceiling: 10,000 m (33,000 ft)
Wing loading: 662.9 kg/m² (135.5 lb/ft²)
Thrust/weight: 0.234

A size comparison between four of the largest aircraft. Put on yer glasses to read this!:)

Shuttle Buran & Antonov AN225 Mriya Video

THE WORLDS BIGGEST PLANES!!

[luvie]

I had a great day...OFF!! Yay

Slept late, talked to my best friend nearly all day, ate lunch at Wattsburger, took a short nap, and am off tomorrow and Friday, too. What's not to like? :D

(((hugs)))

[AZamericonnie]

Good evening news Diva! *Hugs*

[laurenmarlowe]

03/23/07 - U.S. Army Soldiers revisit Dugmat village, Iraq, March 23, 2007, for the first time since the Nov. 7, 2006, firefight, in which Staff Sgt. Richwell Doria was killed in action. The Soldiers are assigned to the 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway) (Released)

03/20/07 - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Shannon Sixkiller, left, and Lance Cpl. Roy Clayton, both aviation electricians with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 (VMAQ-1), work on electrical wires on an EA-6B Prowler aircraft engine at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, March 20, 2007. Members of VMAQ-1 are deployed as a part of Multi-National Forces - West in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Al Anbar province of Iraq. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Michael L. Haas) (Released)

03/23/07 - U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Juan Alba (left), Cpl. Joseph Casiano (2nd from left), Spc. David Tunstall (3rd from left) and an Iraqi National Police officer conduct a combined cordon and search foot patrol at a market in Ghazaliya, Iraq, on March 23, 2007. The soldiers are from Black Hawk Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. DoD photo by Sgt. Tierney Nowland, U.S. Army. (Released)

[The Mayor]

I will be out of the area until late Friday early Saturday. I am driving to Cincinnati Ohio to pick up this new addition to Thompsons Contracting. Mini Concrete Delivery Services

Need one or two yards of Pre mixed Concrete delivered in the Buffalo, Western New York area? We can deliver just the amount you need and you pay only for what you order. We fill post holes, pour sidewalks, slabs and all your concrete needs. Small lightweight truck can deliver to your back yard with out the weight of the huge delivery trucks. Give us a call. 716-560-9901 E Mail to set up for future delivery and or work. Deliveries start when Spring has sprung.

[luvie]

*sigh*

I miss Tonkin!

[Kathy in Alaska]

"Grand Ole Opry member John Conlee's son has returned from the war in Iraq with a Purple Heart medal. Marine Lance Cpl. Johnny Conlee served in combat operations against insurgents around Fallujah and provided security for the Iraqi elections. While on a mission in Anbar province in December 2005, his unit was hit by an improvised explosive device, and he was awarded the Purple Heart for shrapnel wounds received in combat. "It's a sacrifice to serve and to be among those who wait," John Conlee said. "But it's important to the country, and we are very proud."

John Conlee knows what it means to serve by waiting.

[Vinnie]

That plane was in RDU (Raleigh, NC) a few months ago.
Came to pick up a huge generator and deliver it to somewhere in Africa.
I went to the airport and watched it take off at 10pm in a cool drizzling rain.
Amazingly quiet for such a huge beast.
The crowd of about 100+ clapped when it rotated and disappeared into the mist.

I figured it was a once in a lifetime sight.

(whoever needed that generator must have had a very fat wallet)

[AZamericonnie]

Well hello MoochPooch!

A relative sent me an email about this aircraft & I started looking it up on the web. I just thought it was so interesting maybe others would too.

I hope you are well & having a good week! *Hugs*

[Kathy in Alaska]

[The Mayor]

Tanks!

[SevenofNine]

DID you hear about Cindy Sheehan group may be busted by IRS according to Texas news station apparently all those time of buying meth and weed then diss Dubya at his Crawford crib maybe IRS take notice LOL!

Can you imagine if say Cindy Sheehan go to jail can you imagine Big Bertha who may have US miltary relative what would she do to Cindy in jail LOL!

OHHHHH I am so bad TONIGHT

Trust me Big Bertha wouldn't be pleased having Cindy as cell mate

[luvie]

Way to go, Rus! You did it!

I hope it's a very successful addition to Thompson's Contracting! It sounds like such a good idea!

[Kathy in Alaska]

[AZamericonnie]

Please remove your hats & rise for the National Anthem!

Good evening Ms Lauren...I trust you are well? *Hugs*

[Kathy in Alaska]

[luvie]

He certainly does...I wondered why his lyrics sounded so knowledgeable!

Thanks to his son, Lance Cpl. Johnny Conlee, for serving his country with honor!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

What a great "salute".

[luvie]

There she is! (((Lauren)))

Thanks for your dedication to letting families see what
their sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, moms and dads are doing to keep us free.

And thanks for your flags!

[Kathy in Alaska]

d:o) You earned it....

[AZamericonnie]

Wow! The C-5 is huge!

You got to see take off? Now that would be cool!

Once they get in the air it's like it's effortless!

As always...thank you for your service!