Power was served through 4 x Kuznetsov NK-12MA turboprop engines driving contra-rotating propellers and each delivering up to 15,000 shaft horsepower. Performance included a maximum speed of 460 miles per hour with a range out to 6,800 miles under load. When empty, the aircraft weighed 250,000lb - this value drove up as high as 550,000lb for a maximum take-off weight (MTOW).
Variants of the An-22 was limited beginning with the three prototypes (differentiated by their heavily-glazed noses). Thirty-seven production forms of the base An-22 then followed. The An-22A designation marked new aircraft with improved electrics and communications as well as an "air-start" function. Some twenty-eight of this mark were completed. The An-22PZ was a short-lived follow-up design noted for its three-finned tail unit and able to utilize the wing sections of the An-124 and An-225 aircraft. Only two were converted for this purpose. Antonov even developed a proposed civilian airliner with seating for over 700 passengers but this initiative fell to naught.
In practice, the Antonov An-22 proved its airlift capabilities, first by undertaking a series of humanitarian missions to ravaged parts of the world. The military was soon to enjoy its benefits when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979. During the fighting, at least one was lost to the enemy outside of Kabul in 1984. Beyond that, the An-22 has served its purpose in delivering large quantities of personnel, vehicles (including medium-lift helicopters and supplies to various points in the world. Despite her qualities, operators of the An-22 have proven relatively few over the years - the Soviet Air Force An-22 stock fell to the now-Russian Air Force and limited examples have been in service with Ukraine and Bulgaria (only leased). Numbers of the An-22 have dwindled over time with the Russian Air Force having moved on to the An-124 line.
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