Antonov An-225 Mriya – Development
Viktor Tolmachev was the chief designer of the An-225 (and the An-124). For the Soviet space program, the Antonov An-225 was designed to transport the Buran rocket boosters and its class orbiters. It was a replacement for the Myasishchev VM-T. The initial mission and objectives of the An-225 are nearly identical to those of the US Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. The An-225 took to the air for the first time on December 21, 1988. It was on static exhibit at the Air show held in Paris in 1989, and it flew at the Farnborough Air Show in 1990 during the public days. Two An-225s were bought, but only one was completed (registration CCCP-82060, afterward UR-82060). Internally, it could transport ultra-heavy and large cargo weighing up to 250,000 kg (550,000 lb), Cargo on the upper wing might be as long as 70 meters (230 feet). The need for more An-225 capacity had become clear by 2000, thus in September 2006, the decision was made to construct the additional An-225. The second plane was supposed to be finished in 2008, but it was pushed back due to problems. The aircraft was not finished by August 2009, and development on it was halted. According to reports, the Antonov CEO stated in May 2011 that the development of a second An-225 Mriya cargo plane with a maximum limit of 250 tonnes will cost probably $300 million, but if funding is available. After more than a year out of service, the freighter launched a series of training flights from Hostomel Airport in Kyiv on March 25, 2020, in order to install a locally manufactured power management and control system.
World’s Largest Plane
The world’s largest plane is named Antonov An-225 Mriya. It is the world’s largest Cargo plane and was nationally designed by the Antonov Design Bureau in the Soviet Union (Ukrainian SSR, Ukraine) with a report named ‘DREAM’ and NATO for Cossack in the year 1980. Initially, the An-225 was developed as An-124 to transport Russian reusable space aircraft. After successfully completing its services, it was sent to a place where all retired aircraft were kept for a duration of eight years. After being refurbished and handed to Antonov airlines, used to carry heavy payloads. The An-225 set multiple records, including being the heavier aircraft ever built and having the biggest wingspan of any operating aircraft. In terms of size and distinctiveness, the Mriya drew a large amount of public curiosity and gained a global following.