MOSCOW. Nov 18 (Interfax-AVN) - The upgraded AN-124-100M heavy transport will be launched into mass production in two versions, Viktor Tolmachev, Technical Director of the Volga-Dnepr Group of Companies, told Interfax-Military News Agency.
"The business plan for resuming mass production of AN-124-family aircraft being developed envisions a step-by-step development of two versions of this aircraft," Tolmachev said.
"The first stage envisions developing the AN-124-100M aircraft, powered by the D-18T engine of the fourth series, at low cost, while the second stage envisions developing an aircraft, powered by 35-ton thrust engines," he said.
According to him, the business plan will specify design characteristics of aircraft of both types, as well as economic grounds for developing the aircraft with respect to both their flight characteristics and economic efficiency.
"The two versions differ in the flight range with a maximum payload, totaling 150 tons," Tolmachev said.
He said that the first version would have a slightly shorter range with a maximum payload, while the second version would be designed for carrying out non-stop intercontinental flights. "However, both versions will feature a greater range as compared with that of the existing AN-124-100 aircraft," Tolmachev said.
According to him, the initial stage envisions developing an aircraft, designated AN-124-100M and powered by D-18T engines of the fourth series, which will be a modernization of the AN-124-100. An aircraft of this type (c/n 08-03) became operational in 2004, he said.
"It is essential to resume production of AN-124 modifications, based on contemporary technologies, due to the increasing large-size and super-heavy freight traffic," he said.