The largest aircraft in the world: the history of creation and interesting facts

The largest aircraft is the airship hybrid Airlander 10, produced by a company from Britain called Hybrid Air Vehicles. It was created specifically for the US Army. A in the project directly involved American military industrial company, known as Northrop Grumman Corporation. However, everything is in order.

Characteristics

The largest aircraft embodied the useful qualities of a balloon (lighter than air) and an airplane. Because this airship is a kind of symbiosis. He uses the lifting force to reach a certain height, after which he moves through the air thanks to helium.

The weight of this airship is 10,000 kilograms. Its length reaches 92 meters, the height is 26 meters, and the width is 43.5 meters. The take-off weight is 20,000 kilograms.

The largest aircraft is driven by four 4-liter V8 engines equipped with turbochargers. They consume diesel fuel. Each of them produces 325 liters. from. Cruising speed of the airship is 148 km / h. The flight lasts 5 days in manned mode. If there is no pilot in the airship, the time limit will increase to 2 weeks.

History of creation

The largest aircraft is designed to reconnoiter, observe and reconnoitre ground forces. The project began to be developed in 2010, on June 14. The airship was built quite quickly - in 2012, on August 7, the first test flight was organized. It happened in the state of New Jersey, in the city of Lakehurst. On the board during the flight, which lasted an hour and a half, there was a crew.

Then something strange happened. The US Army decided in February 2013 to abandon the project, because it seemed too expensive. Well, Hybrid Air Vehicles decided to buy it back. They paid $ 301,000 for this. Ho only in 2014 the largest aircraft in the world got its name. That's when Airlander took its place at the Royal BBC (in Bedfordshire, by the way). It was decided to use the vessel for civilian purposes.

Interesting Facts

It is worth noting that the largest aircraft in the world in March of this year, 2016, came out in a new version. The latest version has an entertainment purpose. The first copy was decided to be called "Marta Guin". This name, by the way, belongs to the spouse of the head of the company's management. The hangar for the first time left in August, that is, literally a couple of months ago. And on the 17th Airlander 10 made its debut flight, which lasted 19 minutes.

As can be seen from the presented photos, the largest aircraft in Britain (and the world as a whole) has a very ambiguous and original form, which asks to be commented on. And even the representatives of the company - the creator of the project with humor refer to their creation. Moreover, on their own site, they willingly mention a nickname, sounding like Flying Bum. Translated literally as a "flying ass." And after all it is really similar on appearance.

About the crash

At the end of August of this year, in 2016, a headline rang in many media: "The largest aircraft crashed!" Naturally, almost no one remained indifferent. But it turned out that only the largest aircraft crashed in the world. When did it happen? August 24, if you specify. And this is even a fall is difficult to call. There is a video on which everything is perfectly visible. The vessel at a minimum speed gently rests against the bow to the ground, slightly pushing away as a result of this. After that it "swims" about 200 meters and stops.

The fact is that during the landing the gondola of the balloon was damaged. This is the control cabin of the airship, in which the crew and control devices are located. Ho the fall of the largest aircraft turned into news of a global scale. And of course, everyone was interested. Moreover, the information that the largest aircraft crashed underwent, was published on the official website of the British Air Force. By the way, the reason was also noted there. It turns out that during the test flight the airship ... crashed into the telegraph pole. Because of this trouble and the subsequent entry of the ship into the ground, serious damage affected the nose of the flying hybrid.

An-225 Mriya

Well, really everyone was able to surprise the UK. The largest aircraft looks truly huge and awesome. Ho now I would like to note the attention of the An-225 Mriya, which is many times more powerful than an airship. This is the world's largest airplane. Differing to the same maximum capacity. It was designed during the period from 1984 to 1988 at the Kiev Mechanical Plant. Initially, two models were designed. And one of them is still operated by the freight company Antonov Airlines.

The length of the aircraft is 84 meters, the height is 18.2 meters. The wing span is 88.4 meters. An empty plane weighs 250,000 kilograms (!). The maximum weight with a cargo is 640 000 kg. At the same cruising speed - 850 km / h. The range of the flight is 15,400 kilometers, which takes 300,000 kilograms of fuel. If the load is 200 tons, the distance will be reduced from 15,400 km to 4,000 km.

The An-225 Mriya is powered by a turbojet 2-circuit D-18T engine.

Mi-12

Talking about the largest aircraft, it is worth noting the attention and helicopters. Mi-12 is still known under the designation B-12 or the name "Homer". This is the heaviest helicopter, featuring the maximum load capacity, the design of which was entrusted to the Moscow plant named after M.L. Mile. Its distinctive feature is the screws on the wings of the reverse judgment, having a lateral arrangement. They are driven by the operation of D-25VF engines (of which there are only four).

An empty plane weighs 69,100 kilograms. The maximum take-off weight is 105,000 kg. In this case, it can accommodate 196 passengers + 6 crew members. Also, the Mi-12 can accelerate to a top speed of 260 km / h. The range of the flight is 1000 kilometers.

This aircraft was created in the 60s of last century. The first flight took place in 1968, July 10. And in the following year, in February, the ship lifted 31,030 kilograms of cargo (the altitude was 2910 meters).

Mi-26

This is the world's largest transport helicopter, produced serially. It is produced at the Rostvertol plant. Its length is 40 meters. An empty helicopter weighs 28,200 kilograms, and the maximum take-off weight is 56,000 kilograms. Inside, there are 6 crew members, 85 soldiers, 70 paratroopers, 3 doctors and 60 wounded. The maximum speed is 295 km / h. The range of flight at the maximum refueling is 800 kilometers, and the volume of fuel tanks is 12,000 liters.

Unfortunately, the Mi-26 is known as a victim of the largest helicopter crash in the world. A catastrophe occurred in 2002, on August 19, in Chechnya. In Mi-26 a shell was launched from an anti-aircraft missile system called "Igla". The number of victims is 127.

Other vessels

It is worth noting the attention still Hughes H-4 Hercules. It is the record for aircraft in the span of the wing, which is 98 m. It was designed to transport an army of 750 soldiers for long distances.

A Boeing B-52 Stratofortress - this is a living American legend. This bomber-rocket carrier develops a maximum speed of 957 km / h and can overcome a distance of 16,090 kilometers. It has an automatic 6-gun M61 "Vulcan", and the bomb load can be 31,500 kg. Boeing 747-8, for example, is a passenger 2-deck aircraft, which is the longest among all the others.

Another worthy of attention is the German Dornier Do X. This is the world's largest passenger flying boat, which was developed in the 20s of last century. It could accommodate 165 people (including the crew). And the maximum speed, by the way, was 210 km / h.

And finally, Tu-160 with a beautiful nickname "White Swan". This is the most powerful and large supersonic aircraft. Having a mass of 110,000 kilograms (take-off maximum - 275,000 kg), the Tu-160 can develop a speed of 2220 km / h (at altitude)! And it's really impressive.

There are many amazing aerial creations. But those that were listed are the most significant, and all over the world.