New Antonov An-178 makes international debut at ILA Berlin Air Show
The new Ukrainian transport aircraft An-178 which was developed by the state enterprise Antonov, and boasts a lifting capacity of 18 tons debuted in the summer program at the International Aerospace ILA Berlin Air Show-2016. As the company’s press service reports, the new Ukrainian freighter fulfilled all aerobatic elements in extremely adverse weather conditions.
"Due to difficult weather conditions demonstration flights were allowed only for the European transport A400M produced by Airbus and the Ukrainian An-178, which was the debutant of the International Exhibition," the press service noted.
The An-178 was created to replace the An-12, and according to experts, in some regions it may also become the modern replacement of C-160 aircraft. The aircraft has a modified fuselage, a ramp for loading and unloading of bulk cargo and can carry up to 18 tons of cargo, including heavy-duty shipping containers. About 200 companies from 15 countries are involved in the production cooperatives for the An-178. Today Antonov is promoting the An-178 program in the Middle East and Central Asia and interest in the new Ukrainian freighter has already been confirmed in the UAE, China and Azerbaijan.
The An-178 premiere was held at Le Bourget - 2015 (Paris, France), where the new Ukrainian freighter was one of the main events, as well as at the regional Dubai Air Show 2015 (UAE) where it was on display.
According to a source of Interfax-Ukraine, at present Antonov is also negotiating with the European NATO countries on a joint development program for the An-178.
Antonov is the leading Ukrainian aircraft developer and manufacturer, a recognized leader in the niche of transport aircraft and cooperates with 76 other countries around the world. As of April 2015, the Ukrainian government made Antonov became part of the State enterprise, Ukroboronprom.
The International Aerospace ILA Berlin Air Show, which ran from June 1 - 4 in Berlin, Germany, is one of Europe's largest specialized exhibitions. According to the organizers, 1,200 companies from 40 countries are involved in the work of the ILA Berlin Air Show 2016. At the ILA Berlin Air Show 2016 along with the An-178, Ukraine presented a new multipurpose An-132, a version of the special purpose of An-148/158 family, and the medium transport An-70.