Antonov An-3

The Antonov An-3 is a Soviet (later Ukrainian and Russian) civil multipurpose and agricultural aircraft. It is essentially a turboprop-powered development of the An-2, designed to upgrade or replace it. The basic transport version (An-3T) is supplemented by a cargo/passenger version (An-3TK), an agricultural version (An-3SH), a forest fire-fighting version (An-3P), as well as an ambulance version.[1][2] It is designed to carry passengers and cargo, operating from paved or unpaved airfields, including snow covered surfaces up to 35 cm (using a ski landing gear).[3]

An-3
Antonov An-3T of MChS Rossii in June 2007.
Role Utility aircraft
Manufacturer Antonov
First flight 13 May 1980
Introduction 1990s
Status In production
Primary user Private agricultural interests
Produced 1990s–present
Number built 25
Unit cost
US$ 1 500,000
Developed from Antonov An-2

Upgrading

The upgrading consisted of replacement of the piston engine with a 1375 hp TVD-20 turboprop engine, featuring a three-blade reversible pitch (type AV-17) propeller and a R-17 speed governor. The flight compartment was rearranged; a heating and ventilation system was installed as well as advanced electric and flight and navigation equipment; centralized warning system; a new fire extinguishing system; and an improvement of the external wide-spreading dispensing equipment for agricultural needs. The upgrading allowed the aircraft to be more reliable and to increase the cargo lifting capacity of the aircraft by 20%, as well as ensuring more comfortable conditions for the crew, including the lowering of the noise and vibration inside the cockpit. The rate of climb was increase by 1.9 times, and the take-off and landing performance of the aircraft was increased. The upgrading allowed the use of kerosene and lubricants commonly used for other aircraft instead of gasoline.[2] The take-off weight and payload was also increased and the upgrade allowed the landing performance to use ground strips of 500 meters long.[1] The upgrading will be arranged at both the "Polyot" Production Association in Omsk, Russian Federation, and at Antonov ASTC, Kiev, Ukraine.[3]

The first example flew as early as May 13, 1980, but because of a lack of official interest in the project, work proceeded very slowly. Flight testing was not complete until 1991. It is one of the few turbine-powered biplane designs to date. The An-3T received its Type Certificate on 31 August 2000. Supplements to the Type Certificate included version with ski landing gear and an agricultural version.[2]

Versions

The project was revitalised in the late 1990s when it was taken over by Polyot State Aerospace Enterprise, and a marketing campaign began in earnest in 2000, although sales have been limited. It is available in four forms, the basic transport version (An-3T), the convertible cargo/passenger able to carry 12 passengers or 1,800 kg (4,000 lb) of cargo (An-3TK)k the agricultural aircraft (An-3SH—"Selsko-Khosiajstwenni") and the fire-fighting version (An-3P).[2]

Although it is designated An-3, this number is not assigned sequentially. Antonov assigned it to the plane because it was meant to replace the An-2.

Another attempt to replace the An-2 on Soviet farms was made in the 1970s with the WSK-Mielec M-15 Belphegor, but it failed.

From 2007, the "Polyot" Production Association started to upgrade the first ten An-2s of the Russian Airborne Troops to An-3T-10 standard. The overall requirement is estimated at approximately 200 aircraft.[4][5]

Specifications (An-3T)
Antonov An-3
Antonov An-3T

Data from Antonov An-2[6]

General characteristics

  • Crew: two
  • Capacity: Useful Load 1,800kg (3,970lb)
  • Length: 14 m (45 ft 11 in)
  • Wingspan: 18.176 m (59 ft 8 in)
  • Height: 4.235 m (13 ft 11 in)
  • Wing area: 71.51 m2 (769.7 sq ft)
  • Max takeoff weight: 5,800 kg (12,787 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Glushenkov TVD-20-03 Turboprop, 1,010 kW (1,350 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 260 km/h (160 mph, 140 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 220 km/h (140 mph, 120 kn) at 2,000m (6,560ft)
  • Range: 550 km (340 mi, 300 nmi) with a 1,500kg (3,300lb) payload
  • Service ceiling: 4,400 m (14,400 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 5 m/s (980 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 81 kg/m2 (17 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.174kW/kg
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See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References
  1. Antonov 3 (1998), Antonov Scientific/Technical Complex, specification card
  2. Antonov-3 Family (2002), Antonov Scientific/Technical Complex, specification card
  3. An-3 Light Multipurpose Aircraft, Antonov Aeronautical Scientific/Technical Complex, news release. n.d.
  4. Military Parade 4-2007, page 33.
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-10-06. Retrieved 2011-08-25.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. Gordon, Yefim (2004). Antonov An-2. Red Star. 15. Hinkley: Midland publishing. ISBN 1-85780-162-8.
  • Самолет АН-3. Russian Weapons and Military Technologies (in Russian). CompActive Ltd. Archived from the original on 26 May 2006. Retrieved 2006-07-01. (Shortened version in English available here)
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