Special features on the world's largest plane have just been destroyed

The AN-225 is dubbed the "record breaking aircraft" when it has set 124 world records for speed, altitude and overhead mass.

Developed based on the AN-124

The AN-225 is a strategic transport aircraft model developed by the Soviet Union from the AN-124. Before the arrival of the AN-225, the world record for total tonnage was held by the AN-124 for 30 years.

Initially, the AN-225 was designed with four engines, but in order to carry more weight, Antonov equipped the AN-225 with six Progress D-18T turboshaft engines.

The AN-225 aircraft is equipped with up to six Progress D-18T axial turbine engines.

As planned, the AN-225 is equipped with an Ivchenko-Progress engine. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, this engine was removed from the AN-225 and used on smaller aircraft models, such as the AN-124.

A total of 55 AN-124s were built, while only one AN-225 was completed.

AN-225 has been "destroyed" in the past

The "giant" AN-225 was abandoned and scrapped once in the early 1990s. After about 7-8 years of freezing, this model was completely overhauled and put back into service.

AN-225 participated in the first transport flight with a capacity of 187 tons.

The overhaul of the AN-225 was completed in 2001. The AN-225 took part in the first transport flight with a capacity of 187 tons, a volume that required two Boeing 747s.

Record-breaking aircraft

Today, the Antonov AN-225 Mriya is known as a super cargo plane, specifically chartered to carry oversized and bulky cargo. In such a role, most of the AN-225's time is spent idle at the airport or in maintenance. In addition, the cost of using and renting the AN-225 is not cheap. It costs an average of $30,000 per flight hour.

Antonov AN-225 Mriya is known as a super cargo plane.

The AN-225 is also known as a record-breaking aircraft model. According to Antonov, in September 2001, the AN-225 set 124 world records and 214 records for speed, altitude and overhead mass.

In fact, it broke many world records, including the record for a single item carried by plane (189,980 kg). In addition, the AN-225 also set a record for the heaviest payload ever carried (253,820 kg).

Shuttle transport

The most interesting thing about the AN-225 is that it was created to transport the space shuttle into orbit. When the Soviet Union began expanding its space program with the Buran orbiter, it realized that a transport plane was needed that could transport the orbiter. The United States used the Boeing 747 to send the shuttle into space, and the Soviet Union did not lose.

The first purpose of creating the AN-225 aircraft was to transport the space shuttle into orbit.

They asked Antonov Aircraft to develop the largest transport aircraft possible, and the Antonov AN-225 Mriya was born. The AN-225 can carry the Buran shuttle and the Engerigia rocket.

The Soviet Union successfully launched the Buran for the first time in 1988, the launch point is in present-day Kazakhstan.

After the Soviet MAKS space program was cancelled. Antonov also did not build any more AN-225s. Therefore, the first aircraft becomes unique in the world to this day.

Second AN-225 being built?

It was rumored that a second AN-225 is under construction and will be put into service soon. In 2016, it was reported that Antonov was perfecting this aircraft and starting mass production thanks to investment from China. However, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has complicated the situation and not much has been known about the project since then.

After the cancellation of the MAKS space program, Antonov did not build any more AN-225s.

In 2021, it is reported that Antonov still wants to complete the 2nd "giant" and is still looking for investors. The airline has active negotiations with several countries on the development of Ukraine's fleet and specifically mentions the AN-225. Even some Western sources said that the second AN-225 was 60-70% complete.

Information about the second AN-225 is still just a rumor. Ukroboronprom - a company specializing in Ukrainian defense equipment, which manages Antonov - on February 27 released a statement saying that the AN-225 aircraft will be rebuilt at a cost of up to 3 billion USD.