In the early 1970’s designers over at Antonov design bureau were tasked with the creation of a cargo plane, as usual with Antonov. But this was no ordinary cargo plane, it was to be designed as a direct result of the United States AMST program, or as many may know it, simply as the Boeing YC-14. AMST standing for Advanced Meduim STOL Transport, the main reason for the An-72’s existence, the YC-14, which was eventually scrapped with the project, as the C-130 it was seeking to replace was better, more reliable, and easier to maintain. This didn’t deter the Soviet engineers at Antonov design bureau to finish their end of the deal.
With the first prototype flying in 1977, was considered a major success, being very similar in design to the Boeing YC-14, both using the same engine layout, a T-Tail, and the Coandă Effect, while the YC-14 did come much earlier, it fell much flatter than anticipated, and like earlier stated, scrapped. However this design was promising enough to enter the planes into full production in 1980.
While this is just the basic form of the An-72, we know this is all about the star ‘fighter’ of the many variants of this plane. The An-72P, with NATO call sign ‘Coaler’ or as its Soviet pilots called it ‘cheburashka’ after the large eared cartoon, was armed to the teeth with weapons, that is, for a cargo plane. Designed as a patrol aircraft in post Soviet Russia in 1992, packed with old Soviet S-5K rockets in the UB-32 launch containers, one under each wing, as well as a UPK-23 gun pod system mounted on the starboard bow just in front of the rear landing gear. It also had a rack store of four FAB-100 bombs that could slide out the cargo bay door to be dropped. With this new armament system, the plane that was once simply distributing ammo to its comrades, was now shilling out rounds to its enemy.
The An-72P, with a top speed of 705 km/h (438 mph) and no guided air-to-air weaponry makes it almost exclusively a strike aircraft. However, its allowance of the GSh-23L in a similar setup to the UPK-23 gun pod, allows it to have some Defence against other aircraft. It’s S-5K 57mm rockets, while not being of extreme precision do have decent anti-tank capabilities when used properly, and it’s four FAB-100 bombs are effective against ground targets of small and medium size. It’s engine setup with the Lotarev D-36 engines allowed STOL capabilities, also having thrust reversal systems, and good acceleration makes it a good light CAS pick for players.
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Crew: 3 (Pilot, Co-pilot, & flight engineer)
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Engines: 2x Lotarev D-36 Turbofan engine | 63.74 kilo-newtons of thrust (14,330 Ft-lbs)
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Max speed: 705 km/h (438mph)
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Max Take-Off weight: 34,500 kg
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Empty weight: 19,050 kg
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Fuel weight: 12,950 kg
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Service ceiling: 11.8 km
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Combat Range: 800 km
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Take-Off distance: 620 meters
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Landing distance: 420 meters
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Bombs: 4x FAB-100
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Rockets: 64x S-5K rockets (Two UB-32 pods)
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Guns: GSh-23L (250 rounds)
