Myasishchev VM-T

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myasishchev_VM-T

The Myasishchev VM-T Atlant (Russian: ??????? ??-? «??????», with the "VM-T"
("BM-T") standing for Vladimir Myasishchev – Transport) was a variant of
Myasishchev's M-4 Molot bomber (the "3M"), re-purposed as a strategic-airlift
airplane. The VM-T was modified to carry rocket boosters and the Soviet space
shuttles of the Buran program. It is also known as the 3M-T


Role
Outsize cargo transport

Manufacturer
Myasishchev

Designer
Vladimir Mikhailovich Myasishchev

First flight
29 April 1981

Introduction
January 1982

Retired
1989

Status
Retired

Primary users
Soviet Air Force
Russian Federal Space Agency (Soviet space program)

Number built
2

Developed from
Myasishchev M-4

The design was conceived in 1978 when Myasishchev was asked to solve the problem
of transporting rockets and other large space vehicles to the Baikonur
Cosmodrome. Engineers used an old 3M (a modified M-4 bomber) and replaced the
empennage with dihedralled horizontal stabilizers with large, rectangular
end-plate tailfins to accommodate payloads measuring as large as twice the
diameter of the aircraft's fuselage. A large, aerodynamically optimized cargo
container, placed on top of the aircraft, would contain the freight. In
addition, a new control system was added to the plane to compensate for the
added weight.

The Atlant first flew in 1981 and made its first flight with cargo in January
1982. Its main task was to ferry Energia rocket boosters from their development
plant to the Baikonur Cosmodrome. On several occasions, the Soviet space shuttle
Buran was piggybacked to the Cosmodrome as well.

Two Atlants were built. They were replaced in 1989 by Antonov's An-225 Mriya.
One Atlant (RF-01502) is kept at the Zhukovsky International Airport in Russia
owned by TsAGI and Gromov Flight Research Institute, the other one (RA-01402) at
Dyagilevo (air base) in Ryazan

Specifications (VM-T)

General characteristics
Crew: 6
Capacity:

0GT payload container 45,300 kg (99,869 lb) - (38.45 m (126 ft) long, 23.8 m (78
ft) diameter)
1GT payload container 31,500 kg (69,446 lb) - (44.46 m (146 ft) long, 7.78 m (26
ft) diameter)
2GT payload container 30,000 kg (66,139 lb) - (26.41 m (87 ft) long, 7.75 m (25
ft) diameter)
3GT payload container 15,000 kg (33,069 lb) - (16.67 m (55 ft) long, 7.75 m (25
ft) diameter)
Length: 51.23 m (168 ft 1 in)
Wingspan: 53.14 m (174 ft 4 in)
Wing area: 351.78 m2 (3,786.5 sq ft)
Empty weight: 81,200 kg (179,015 lb) no container

0GT payload container 126,500 kg (278,885 lb)
1GT payload container 112,700 kg (248,461 lb)
2GT payload container 111,200 kg (245,154 lb)
3GT payload container 96,200 kg (212,085 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 139,200 kg (306,883 lb) no container

0GT payload container 187,000 kg (412,264 lb)
1GT payload container 170,500 kg (375,888 lb)
2GT payload container 169,000 kg (372,581 lb)
3GT payload container 152,200 kg (335,544 lb)
Maximum landing weight:
0GT payload container 138,500 kg (305,340 lb)
1GT payload container 129,500 kg (285,499 lb)
2GT payload container 128,000 kg (282,192 lb)
3GT payload container 111,200 kg (245,154 lb)
Powerplant: 4 × RKBM/Koliesov / Dobrynin VD-7MD turbojet engines, 105.45 kN
(23,710 lbf) thrust each

Performance
Cruise speed: 580 km/h (360 mph, 310 kn)
Never exceed speed: 970 km/h (600 mph, 520 kn)
Range: 3,565 km (2,215 mi, 1,925 nmi)
Service ceiling: 10,200 m (33,500 ft)
Thrust/weight: 0.224 (at MTOW)

Take-off run: 3,500 m (11,483 ft) with 1GT container



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