An22A

An22A refers to a variant of the Antonov An-22 Antei, the Soviet heavy military transport aircraft developed by the Antonov Design Bureau. The An-22 family centers on large four‑engine turboprop transport intended for strategic airlift of oversized and heavy cargo, such as vehicles, equipment, and large palletized loads. The An-22 first flew in the mid-1960s and entered service with the Soviet Air Forces, becoming one of the era’s most notable large transports. The An-22A designation denotes an improved or interim version of the base An-22, incorporating uprated propulsion and avionics to enhance payload, range, and reliability, built in relatively small numbers during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Design and features include a high-wing configuration, a robust landing gear arrangement capable of operating from rough airfields, and a large cargo cabin with side doors and ramps for roll-on/roll-off operations. Power for the An-22 comes from four Kuznetsov NK-12 turboprop engines driving contra-rotating propellers, a characteristic feature of the aircraft. The combination of these engines and the airframe enables substantial lift and payload capability for strategic airlift missions.

Operational history centers on the Soviet period, with the An-22 and its variants used to transport heavy military equipment and humanitarian cargo. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, surviving aircraft passed into the fleets of successor states, with most reported activity confined to the late 20th century and early 1990s. Public information on current status is limited, and a number of airframes have been retired or placed in storage or museums.

See also: Antonov An-22, other heavy military transports of the era.