Upgraded An-70 Aircraft To Undergo Three Flight Tests Soon

The Russian AN-70 military transport STOL aircraft will undergo three test flights after the completion of works on deep upgrading of its airborne equipment. Within the process of the trials, the new and upgraded systems of the aircraft including engine, propfans, aircraft and wing high−lift devices control systems as well as crew environmental control system were checked. Dmytro Kiva, President – General Designer of ANTONOV Company, said, “The test flights of the upgraded AN−70 became an important stage in the programme of this aircraft”. Work on the aircraft upgrading included improvement of power plant by installation of a modernized fan to provide lower noise level and improved control system of engine and propfan. Auxiliary power plant (APU) was replaced with a new one, which is able to work in a widen conditions of operation. About 20 flights are expected to be performed during the preliminary tests of the upgraded AN-70.