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Subject: An-124 set to get into production again
giblets    9/6/2004 9:31:22 AM
The Federal production agency of Russia have announced they are going to start producing the An-124-100M again, but with uprated avionics, new more powerfull engines, and reduced crew numbers down to four (from six). Apparently they have a number of 'undisclosed' customers, and think they will produce up to 80 of these behemouths in 2006-2020 I wonder if they are considering 'western engines?
 
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gf0012-aust    RE:An-124 set to get into production again   9/6/2004 9:11:16 PM
Dniepr and Volga won't be too impressed. That may mean that they start to lose their heavy freight monopoly. A reduction in crewing seems to indicate a digital pit modification.. Weren't Antonov testing the commercial partnership waters with Boeing and Lockmart at various stages???
 
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hybrid    RE:An-124 set to get into production again   9/7/2004 1:04:11 AM
Yes but I believe the problems were due to lack of pressurization for cargo loads hence meaning the cargo master (and crew) couldn't check on the loads safely without some special gear after take off which is usually one of the first things you do. If this is changed some please state so.
 
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gf0012-aust    RE:An-124 set to get into production again   9/7/2004 2:52:32 AM
An-124-100M: Proposed improved model equipped with uprated D-18 Series 3 engines allowing greater range and shorter takeoff distance, also to be fitted with more advanced Western avionics allowing crew size to be reduced from 6 to 4
 
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gf0012-aust    RE:An-124 set to get into production again   9/7/2004 3:01:41 AM
or, it could be the An-124-210 Similar to An-124-100M but to be equipped with Rolls-Royce RB211-52H-T engines as well as new avionics
 
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giblets    RE:An-124 set to get into production again   9/7/2004 5:33:39 AM
Welll I think Volga and Dneiper may be customers, especially if they can increase the load, range,a nd decrease fuel consumption (Something Russian engines are known to be poor on), reducing the crew by two will also reduce the cost somewhat. The current cost figures are: Currently, to rent "Ruslan" for one hour will cost you between $14-16 000 USD, reports "Military industrial courier." The airplane"s load carrying capacity equals to 120 tons. European airplane Beluga (load capacity 47 tons, cost per "block hour" $20 000 USD) and American airplane C-17 (load capacity 79 tons, cost per "block hour" $45 000 USD) are Ruslan"s main competitors on the market.
 
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gf0012-aust    RE:An-124 set to get into production again   9/7/2004 5:47:52 AM
bloody hell, not much contest on picking the cheaper hourly rate! It would be interesting to see the Israeli's or SAGEM do a refit on these + the RR engines. It would be a nice conversion.
 
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