World's largest plane reportedly destroyed in Ukraine

[groundloop]

Source: CNN

The world's largest aircraft, the Antonov AN-225, has been destroyed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to Ukrainian officials, generating alarm and sadness among the aviation world in which it occupies almost cult status.

The enormous aircraft, named "Mriya," or "dream" in Ukrainian, was parked at an airfield near Kyiv when it was attacked by "Russian occupants," Ukrainian authorities said, adding that they would rebuild the plane.

"Russia may have destroyed our 'Mriya'. But they will never be able to destroy our dream of a strong, free and democratic European state. We shall prevail!" wrote Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Twitter.

Ukrainian state defense company Ukroboronprom, which manages Antonov, on Sunday issued a statement saying the aircraft had been destroyed but would be rebuilt at Russia's expense -- a cost it put at $3 billion.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/antonov-an-225-largest-plane-destroyed-ukraine-scli-intl/index.html

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The plane was undergoing maintenance. One engine was disassembled so the plane wasn't able to be evacuated.

[Cheezoholic]

1. Ok now I'm getting really pissed

Of course i am being a bit sarcastic, it can be replaced lives can't. But as an avid aviation geek this is sad. I was wondering if they were able to get any of the Antonov fleet, including this one, out of Kyiv before this started. This was a magnificent aircraft.

[speak easy]

7. Actually it can't be replaced. Just two were built, and only one completed, in Soviet Era Ukraine

The factories, assemblies, and engineers are long retired. This was an act of mindless vandalism that will infuriate the Ukrainian people.

[Cheezoholic]

13. Of course not that exact aircraft

My goodness if you watch that video and see the avionics section of the 225, its as big as my living room. My point was that things can be replaced people can't. Now would Antinov be motivated to build a 225 Mark II in the future? Hey, if they want to go for it IMO.

[dalton99a]

2. Kick

[yaesu]

3. There is already a farewell video up on youtube, such a beautiful plane. nt

[TeamProg]

4. "would be rebuilt at Russia's expense -- a cost it put at $3 billion."

LOVE IT !!

[speak easy]

8. Can't be done. Manufactured in Soviet Era Ukraine.

Most of the components were one of a kind.

[Karma13612]

9. That's a shame...

But then again:

Ukrainian state defense company Ukroboronprom, which manages Antonov, on Sunday issued a statement saying the aircraft had been destroyed but would be rebuilt at Russia's expense -- a cost it put at $3 billion.

Why did the company make that statement? Maybe they just wanted to show that they can overcome? Loss of the plane is like a symbol of hope, and since they are not going give up hope, they say “we can rebuild it”?

Maybe they will have to reproduce certain parts from scratch or something? Maybe if they have old plans from it’s original construction??

[speak easy]

11. Oh I'm sure Ukroboronprom would like to have it's aerospace division rebuilt - and that would cost

more than $3 Billion But a one off run of custom parts?

[Igel]

14. Conceptually that's easy.

If the mech drawings are still available, then they can be fabricated per original specifications.

It's not like we don't have the technology from decades ago. In much of Russia, it's still used and cutting edge. (Yeah, that's a dig.)

Otherwise, not at all, at least according to specs for each part. Engineers could manage to produce engines (etc.) that match the exterior dimensions and match stated performance specifications.

$3G. They're thinking the latter. Designed in Germany. Built ... who knows where.

The problem is, will Putin care about this bit of Soviet-era patrimony?

No, it's not pure power and "dignity." (When dignity is something others can take away, you've missed the boat. Then again, that's a Christianity x Enlightenment idea, one of those things where the two coincide really, really well.)

[muriel_volestrangler]

21. See #20 - there's a half built 2nd airframe some were already talking about completing (nt)

[speak easy]

22. Oh. OK. ty

[Luka Boyd]

5. So Sad

I didnt realize there was only one of them

[Sapient Donkey]

18. It's almost like burning down the Library of Alexandria or some other wonder of the world.

[Bengus81]

6. Wonder where the 124 is? That one has been in Wichita several times

[A HERETIC I AM]

10. This is an extraordinary tragedy

From an aviation enthusiasts perspective, as well as someone who understands the utility of such an aircraft, the loss of the one and only AN225 is tantamount to the loss of the Concorde.

This is heartbreaking, frankly.

Of course the loss of life in this conflict supersedes any and all material losses, but for the international aviation community, the loss of this one particular airframe is monumental. It was an entirely unique machine, built for the sole purpose of ferrying a Soviet version of the US Space Shuttle, but repurposed for civilian use, and welcomed worldwide.

This fucking sucks.

It totally sucks.

[speak easy]

12. !

[tonekat]

15. Barbaric!

What else are they going to ruin?

[BidenRocks]

16. Now, how do we ship

giant wind turbine blades?
C-5 Galaxy, you are about to get supersized!
I am sad as I am also an aviation geek.
Also an avionics tech years ago.

[Sapient Donkey]

17. That's really unfortunate

[littlemissmartypants]

19. A terrible tragedy and an enormous loss to humanitarian relief efforts, worldwide.

🌻❤🌻

[muriel_volestrangler]

20. There were rumours that they might try to complete the second airframe, from before the war

which has been sitting in a hangar for years: https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/01/sky-giant-turkey-mulls-to-complete.html