Today, on December 28, ukroboronprom State Enterprise Antonov demonstrated the first AN-178-100R No. 001 military transport aircraft designed for certification tests. Specialized government officials and senior military leadership of the state took part in the events on the occasion of the completion of the construction and transfer to the test of this aircraft.
An-178-100R No. 001 is a new generation aircraft, which was created on the basis of modern world information technologies. It is equipped with hundreds of electronic job computer computers that allow you to integrate all systems and sensors of the aircraft, automate the control of their performance and optimize control.
The AN-178 can be used to transport personnel, deliver weapons and light military equipment by landing and parachute, as well as for the transportation of goods.
“Tomorrow will be exactly a year, as in this department we gathered in order to sign a historic contract with the support and direct participation of the President, which launches new aircraft into the sky for our Army and for our Armed Forces.
Today we see the first fruits of this contract – aircraft that will soon take off into the sky and will serve our Armed Forces. Then, a year ago, few believed that we were capable of what we were ready for, and that we would do so. Today we confirm not only the capacity, but also the ambitions for new contracts – contracts for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, for the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Therefore, I am convinced that we have a lot of work ahead with you. And let the new year 2022 bring us many new contracts, a lot of work, many new aircraft This year, the production indicators of the SC “UkrOboronProm” increased by more than 20% primarily due to the aircraft industry. Therefore, I want to sincerely thank you for your work. Glory ANTONOV COMPANY, glory to every employee of this legendary plant and glory to Ukraine!”, – said Ukroboronprom Director General Yurii Husiev.
More than 30 Ukrainian enterprises participate in the AN-178-100R creation program, which have mastered the production of 177 components for this aircraft. In particular, for the first time in Ukraine ANTONOV COMPANY, STC “Screen”, PJSC “FED”, SE “KHAKB” developed and introduced a modern electronic control system of the aircraft, a system for controlling the mechanization of the wing. SE “Pivdennyi Machine-Building Plant” has established production of the main chassis elements.
Foreign suppliers from Europe, the USA and Canada are also involved in the aircraft equipment.
During the implementation of the AN-178-100R program, a large amount of work was carried out to ensure a qualitatively new level of all aircraft systems, in particular the hydraulic system, aircraft control systems, power supply, air conditioning, etc.
“A very sensitive and emotional moment. Many of us as a child dreamed of being pilots. But the most difficult thing is to build an aircraft, which will then be used by pilots. It seems to me that it is symbolic and important that Ukraine demonstrates its defense capability through synergy, thanks to combined efforts. Today, this ceremony is attended by representatives of the relevant Committee of the Parliament, who fully support the Armed Forces, representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Air Force Command, the leadership of ukroboronprom and the plant, the Ministry of Strategic Development and the Ministry of Defense. I am sure that this synergy is the key to our victory. And there will be not only three such aircraft, there will be more. We demonstrate that we are able to build, know how to fly and know how to protect ourselves. Thank you very much for this,” Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov emphasized.
“I am sincerely grateful to The Antonov employees for what they have shown in the case, showed in metal that we are one team that does everything to improve our Armed Forces. Believe in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, believe in Ukraine!”, said Oleksandr Zavitnevych, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence.
In turn, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yevhen Moysiuk stressed: “The Armed Forces of Ukraine need modern military equipment that will increase our capabilities and strengthen national resilience. I am sure that this aircraft, AN-178, in the skillful hands of our pilots will bring ukraine’s victory closer.”
Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykola Oleshchuk emphasized: “The Air Force has been waiting for the first flight for the Ukrainian army for thirty years. And it is pleasant that it will be a Ukrainian-made aircraft – an-178!
However, we still have to go a difficult way – to prepare flight personnel, specialists of the aviation engineering service so that we can master this aircraft, serve it and perform combat missions qualitatively.”
First Deputy Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine Denys Sharapov stressed in his speech that with the creation of the Ministry of Strategic Development, the state began to pay much more attention to the aircraft industry.
The official said that the Ministry, together with stakeholders, had developed the State Target Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of the Aviation Industry for 2021-2030, which was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine last autumn.
“The implementation of the program will contribute to the creation of new aviation technologies and materials, new jobs in Ukraine. Aircraft construction should become a locomotive for many sectors of our economy,” said Denys Sharapov.
The design of the aircraft was amended to ensure the function of landing people and cargo, as well as to perform other tasks of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
State order for the construction of three aircraft ANTONOV COMPANY with the support of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the end of December 2020.
Construction of aircraft for the needs of the Armed Forces is carried out in accordance with the plans. The construction of the first of the three ordered aircraft has been completed. Ahead of the deadlines, the fuselage, wing, tail of the second AN-178-100R were folded, the assembly of the glider of this machine began.
“The event that is taking place today became possible due to the coordinated work of the ANTONOV team. We can confidently say that this work was selfless, because it did not stop even during the pandemic intensification. I sincerely thank every employee of the enterprise and our partners! There is a lot of work ahead, but I am sure that together we will fulfill all the tasks aimed at equipping the Armed Forces of Ukraine with new transport aircraft!”, said the Ceo ANTONOV COMPANY Sergei Bychkov.