The Antonov An-225 Mriya was the largest aircraft in the world.
This six-engine leviathan was a vital asset in the air cargo world, and was formerly designed
to carry Energia rockets and Buran orbiters for the Soviet space program.
It has though become most famous for carrying huge items across the globe and helping in
humanitarian missions, ferrying medical supplies during the Covid-19 pandemic, and as a symbol
of pride for Ukraine.
However, the Mryia is sadly no more.
The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine has sadly seen the aircraft succumb to attacks
at Antonov airport, and images online show the remains of the once proud aircraft.
While at the end of the day it is just an aircraft, and many things much worse are taking
place in the conflict, its loss will be felt not just by aviation fans, but those in Ukraine
as it meant so much to the country.
Here's everything that made the Mriya so special.
10.
It Was The Largest Aircraft In The World
The An-225 had the distinction of being the largest aircraft in the world.
Larger than the likes of the Lockheed C-5A Galaxy, Boeing 747 and the Airbus A380.
The aircraft was an astonishing 84 meters (275 ft) long while its wingspan was 88.4
meters (290 ft), with three Progress D-18T turbofans under each wing.
The size was highlighted by its incredible cargo capacity of 1,300 m3 in volume.
9.
Only One Example Was Ever Built
What helped to make the An-225 so special was its rarity.
So rare in fact that it was the only example of its type ever built.
The first flight of the aircraft took place in December 1980, and it was then shown off
to the public at the Paris Air Show in 1989 and the Farnborough Air Show in 1990.
A second example was ordered, but that still lies some 60-70% complete.
8.
It Was Initially Used For The Soviet Space Program
The An-225 was very much a product of the former Soviet Union, and it was initially
aimed to be a large airlifter that could haul the Energia rockets for the Buran orbiters.
The Buran was the Soviet version of the American space shuttle, and the An-225 would be expected
to carry the Buran as well.
Its intended purpose was hence similar to the American Boeing 747 carrier aircraft.
Of course, the An-225 did not serve the Soviet space program for a great length of time after
the project was canceled.
7.
The Aircraft Is A Symbol Of National Pride For Ukraine
While it was designed and built in the era of the Soviet Union, Antonov is an Ukrainian
company and the aircraft is thus Ukrainian in origin.
In its latter years of service, the An-225 became a symbol of national pride for the
country, and its name Mriya means “dream” in Ukrainian.
Its loss to the country is more than just symbolic, hence the intention to possibly
one day rebuild the aircraft.
6.
It Was Vital In Humanitarian Missions
Its loss will not just be felt in Ukraine, either.
The An-225 was vital to so many humanitarian missions, in particular during the Covid-19
pandemic.
It was used to fly vast amounts of PPE to various countries, taking medical supplies
from China all over the globe.
The aircraft also flew medical supplies to Namibia back in 2021 to further highlight
how important it was.
5.
The Only Aircraft That Could Fly Certain Types Of Cargo
Antonov Airlines hold the absolute record for an airlift single-payload item, with the
An-225.
The record stands at 418,830 lbs.
The aircraft once carried a generator for a gas power plant in Armenia, back in 2009,
which weighed in at 417,000 lbs.
The An-225 was the only aircraft in the world that could fly such large items in one go
without needing a pair of aircraft to carry multiple components.
4.
It Was A Huge Attraction Wherever It Flew
The An-225 gained something of a cult following during its career.
Being a one-of-a-kind machine and so large, word would soon spread of its taking flight
and where it was heading.
Large crowds always gathered at airports it landed at, be they in the UK, America, Canada,
Germany, or in its home of Ukraine.
Its loss to the aviation world will be immense.
3.
One Of The Few Jet Aircraft With Six Engines
Very few aircraft in the world have six jet engines.
The Scaled Composites Stratolaunch is one aircraft.
Most though were either just concepts, such as the Beriev Be-2500, or no longer fly, such
as the XB-70 Valkyrie and the Douglas D-906.
The loss of the Mryia just leaves the Stratolaunch as the only flying six-engine jet aircraft
in the world.
2.
Developed From The Successful AN-124
The impressive An-225 bears some similarities with the extremely successful Antonov An-124.
In fact, the An-124 was what the Mriya was developed from.
The An-124 was in fact the largest military transport aircraft in service, and the second-largest
cargo aircraft in the world, behind the An-225.
The An-124 first flew in December 1982 and many are still in service today, with at least
26 still in service as of 2019.
1.
A Vital Asset To The Air Cargo Industry
We touched upon this earlier, but the An-225 was an important aircraft for the air cargo
industry.
It was expensive to operate, but it was vital to transport cargo that either needed multiple
aircraft or simply could not go in any other aircraft at all.
Its loss will be huge, but hopefully, not only will the current conflict soon pass,
but after that, perhaps using the second airframe, the An-225 will take to the skies once again.
The dream may not yet be over.