The Ulyanovsk-based Aviastar-SP, an affiliate of the United Shipbuilding Corporation transport aviation battalion, has handed over an An-124-100 Ruslan airlifter for operational service (vehicle identification number is 0605), the enterprise’s press service said.

Aviastar hands overhauled An 124 100 airlifter to Russian Air Forc 001 Aviastar SP delivered an overhauled An-124-100 airlifter to the Russian Air Force
(Credit: Aviastar SP)

The renovated aircraft took off from the runway of the Ulyanovsk-Vostochny airfield and lay a course for the home station.

"The Aviastar-SP joint-stock company produced the An-124-100 aircraft in February 1991. Its hours in service amount to 3,164. It made 1,414 landings in the period of operation," Nail Gabidullin, the An-124 program director, said.

The Aviastar-SP assessed the technical state and restoration of the aircraft’s flight worthiness; finalized Operational Bulletins; replaced outdated components and removed Ruslan’s service-induced damages under the program of restoration of flight worthiness. The aircraft successfully passed flight tests under the assigned program of ground and flight trials and extended its endurance to 30 years.

The Aviastar-SP enterprise modernizes and provides maintenance service of two thirds of An-124-100 Ruslan airlifters, which operate around the globe.

The An-124 Ruslan heavy airlifter is designed to airlift cargoes, including small-size freights, as well as for intensive transportation of the army personnel and military hardware. Maximum carrying capacity is 120 tons. Maximum speed is 865 km/h. Flight range with full payload is 4800 kilometers. According to the Military Balance, the Russian Aerospace Forces have nine An-124 aircraft in service. Another 10 Ruslans are operated by the Volga-Dnepr group of companies.

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