An 990 Updated: Antonov

An American startup, Radia, is building the — a cargo aircraft designed to carry 72+ tonnes of wind turbine blades. While smaller than an An-225, its wingspan (80 meters) rivals the Mriya. This is the closest real aircraft to the mythical An-990 in terms of "oversized logistics."

If you are looking to try this aircraft out yourself, let me know:

To move such a colossal airframe, the An-990 relies on sheer, brute-force power. While the exact number can vary across versions, the design is based on the principle of adding engines until the aircraft flies. Some community discussions have speculated that it would take , to get the An-990 off the ground. Its cruise speed is estimated to be Mach 0.58. antonov an 990

: In the simulation world, this plane dwarfs both. It is often depicted as having a wingspan so wide it barely fits on a standard commercial runway. Why the Fascination?

It can carry 600,000 gallons (2,270 tonnes) of water or fire retardant. Features in X-Plane An American startup, Radia, is building the —

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The pinnacle of this legacy is the (meaning "Dream" in Ukrainian). Originally developed to airlift the Soviet Buran space shuttle, the An-225 set over 110 world records for payload capacity, speed, and flight altitude. With a maximum takeoff weight exceeding 600 tons, a wingspan of 88.4 meters (290 feet), and six turbofan engines, the An-225 was an undisputed aviation giant. Tragically, this unique aircraft was destroyed during the Russian attack on the Antonov Airport in Hostomel, Ukraine, in February 2022. A project to rebuild "Mriya" has since been initiated by the Ukrainian government. While the exact number can vary across versions,

The largest operational cargo plane in history, boasting a 290-foot wingspan and a max takeoff weight of 640 tonnes. The destruction of the An-225 during the battle of Antonov Airport in 2022 left a massive void in aviation culture, prompting flight sim communities to pay tribute through even more ambitious digital designs.

600,000 gallons of water or fire retardant. This is more than 30 times the capacity of a converted Boeing 747 Supertanker. 🛠️ The Legacy Behind the Name: Why Antonov?