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Antonov An-70

Modern (1992–2009)

Antonov An-70 — Fixed Wing
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The Antonov An-70 is a Ukrainian / former-Soviet four-engine medium field transport aircraft developed as a replacement for the An-12. The An-70 first flew on 16 December 1994 — the first major airframe certified after the Soviet collapse. The aircraft uses unique propfan / unducted-fan engines (Progress D-27) — the only production application of the propfan concept worldwide. About 4 An-70 airframes have been built. The programme has been repeatedly stalled by funding crises, the 1995 prototype crash, and the 2014 Russia-Ukraine break that ended Russian co-financing.

The An-70 used four Progress D-27 propfan engines (13,800 shp each, driving 14-bladed contra-rotating propfan stators). Maximum speed 466 mph; range 4,200 miles ferry / 1,860 miles with maximum payload; service ceiling 39,000 ft. Payload: 47,000 kg of cargo / 300 troops / 206 paratroops. The propfan engines deliver about 30% better fuel economy than conventional turbofans at the An-70's design cruise speed (Mach 0.7) — the propfan technology has been demonstrated but has not been adopted by any other production aircraft. The An-70 also has STOL performance: takeoff distance 600 m, landing distance 800 m fully loaded.

The An-70 programme has been largely stalled since 2014. Russian funding (which had originally supported about 40% of development costs and planned ~60% of production orders) ended in 2014 after the Russian annexation of Crimea. Ukrainian production capacity is limited; the Russian Aerospace Forces shifted to the Ilyushin Il-476 / Il-76MD-90A as the An-70 replacement. The Ukrainian Air Force operates the single-airworthy production An-70 (registered UR-EXA) but has not ordered additional units. As of 2026 the An-70 programme exists at low intensity; full series production has never been achieved.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Antonov An-70 is a Ukrainian military transport with a unique engine type. The An-70 first flew on December 16, 1994. Only about 4 have been built so far. The plane uses propfan engines (also called unducted fans), the only production aircraft to use them.

The An-70 is 134 feet long with a 144-foot wingspan, longer than a Boeing 737. Four Progress D-27 propfan engines each make 13,800 horsepower, driving 14-bladed contra-rotating propellers. Top speed is 466 mph, faster than most race cars. The plane can carry 47,000 kg of cargo or 300 troops.

A propfan engine is a cross between a turbofan and a turboprop. The huge contra-rotating fan blades work like exposed propellers but spin at much higher speeds. Propfan engines burn 30 percent less fuel than normal turbofans. But they are loud and complex, which is why no other production plane uses them.

The An-70 program has had many problems. The first prototype crashed in 1995. Russia and Ukraine co-funded the An-70, but after the 2014 Russia-Ukraine break, Russia stopped paying. Ukraine cannot afford to build the An-70 alone. The future of the program is uncertain in 2026.

Fun Facts

  • The An-70 is a Ukrainian military transport with propfan engines.
  • First flight was December 16, 1994.
  • Only about 4 An-70s have been built.
  • The An-70 is 134 feet long, longer than a Boeing 737.
  • Top speed is 466 mph, faster than most race cars.
  • Propfan engines burn 30 percent less fuel than normal turbofans.
  • The An-70 is the only production plane to use propfan engines.

Kids’ Questions

What is a propfan?

A propfan is between a propeller and a jet engine. Like a propeller, the fan blades are exposed (not inside a duct). Like a jet, the blades spin very fast. Propfans use 14 thin curved blades, often in two rows turning opposite ways (contra-rotating). The design saves 30 percent more fuel than normal turbofans, but they are louder and harder to build.

Why so few built?

The An-70 had a hard start. The 1995 prototype crashed in flight. Russia and Ukraine were supposed to share costs, but Russia pulled out after the 2014 invasion of Crimea. Ukraine could not afford to make the An-70 alone. Only 4 have been built, and the program has stalled. The future is uncertain.

Why don't other planes use propfans?

Propfans look great on paper (30 percent fuel savings). But they have problems: too loud for passengers, complex maintenance, and unpredictable behavior at high speeds. Boeing and Airbus tried propfans in the 1980s but stopped. The An-70 is the only production aircraft that uses them. Some new engine designs may bring propfans back in the 2030s.

Variants

An-70 (basic)
Standard production specification. ~4 airframes built; only one in active service. Progress D-27 propfan engines.
An-70T (proposed)
Proposed civilian transport variant. No prototype built; programme stalled by funding constraints.

Notable Operators

Ukrainian Air Force
Sole operator. One airworthy An-70 (UR-EXA). Used for limited transport and demonstration roles. No additional orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a propfan engine?

An ultra-high-bypass turbofan with very large unducted fans (often counter-rotating), combining the fuel efficiency of a turboprop with the speed of a turbofan. The Progress D-27 used on the An-70 is the only production-application propfan engine worldwide. Tests demonstrated about 30% better fuel economy than conventional turbofans at Mach 0.7 cruise speed; cabin noise issues and certification challenges have prevented adoption by other production aircraft.

Why has the An-70 not entered series production?

Multiple causes: the 10 February 1995 first-prototype crash that delayed the programme by 3 years, post-2014 Russia-Ukraine break that ended Russian co-financing (which had been ~40% of development costs), Ukrainian production capacity limits, and Russian Aerospace Forces shift to the Ilyushin Il-476 / Il-76MD-90A as the An-70's replacement.

How many An-70s have been built?

About 4 airframes — the first prototype (lost in February 1995 crash), a second prototype (1997), and a small number of additional pre-production airframes. Only one (UR-EXA) is in active Ukrainian Air Force service.

How is the An-70 different from the An-12?

The An-12 uses four conventional Ivchenko AI-20 turboprops (1959 design); the An-70 uses four Progress D-27 propfan engines (1990s design). The An-70 has roughly double the An-12's payload (47 t vs. 20 t) and similar range. The An-70 was specifically designed as the An-12's successor but has never achieved series production due to funding constraints.

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