Tubong Tu-64
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Tu-64 | |
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File:Iv-64 side view.png | |
Tu-64 | |
Role | Carrier-capable Cargo aircraft |
National origin | DSRA |
Manufacturer | Tubong |
First flight | 12 July 1964 |
Introduction | 4 October 1977 |
Status | In production |
Primary user | DSRA Anikatia |
Produced | 1964–present |
Number built | 100+ |
Unit cost |
Tu-62T: NSD $40 million (flyaway cost, 2014)
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The Tubong Tu-64 is a twin Turboprop carrier-capable tactical Cargo aircraft aircraft developed by the Tubong. Designed to carry supplies and mail to and from aircraft carriers of the Anikatian Navy. and consolidate their current fleets of aircraft. The aircraft provides critical logistics support to carrier strike groups. The aircraft is mainly used to transport high-priority cargo, mail and passengers between carriers and shore bases, and can also deliver cargo like jet engines and special stores. It remains in service within Naval Aviation, and various air forces to which it was exported. It has been in continuous production since 1960s, with the latest variants seeing significant upgrades to the avionics and flight systems, improved engines, glass cockpits, increased fuel capacity; and aerial refuelling.
History
The Tubong Tu-64, a derivative of the Tubong Tu-62, shares wings and power plants with the Tu-62, but has a widened fuselage with a rear loading ramp. The first of two prototypes flew in 1964. After successful testing, Tubong began production of the aircraft. In the early 1960s, the Anikatian Navy started a plans to build large aircraft carriers capable of operating the new large conventional aircraft then underdevelopment that were unable to operated on the existing Grokantyia-class aircraft carrier. These new carriers would require a new shipborne logistics support aircraft to be effective, and the Tubong design bureau was instructed to develop a derivative of the then indevelopment Tu-62 in 1960s. However delays in the carrier program allowed the new design to take flight and enter service prior to operation of the new aircraft carriers. While many trials were run on the existing carrier it would not fit in the small hangers, it was not until 1979 was it fully operational from a carrier.
Design
The Tu-62 is a twin-engined shoulder-mounted straight-wing aircraft, with one contra-rotating propellers turboprop engine on each wing and retractable tricycle landing gear. As with most carrier-borne airplanes, the Tu-62 is equipped with a tail hook for landings, and it is capable of using the aircraft carrier's catapults for takeoff. The aircraft's wings also folded upwards, the engines are two Arsanukayev AVT-01P-II which were derived from the engines that powered the Bau-48 AEW.7.
Variants
- Y-62-100A
- Initial prototype, converted from Tubong Tu-62.
- Tu-64T
Initial production version.
- Tu-64MT
- Advanced variant with entirely new avionics, improved engines, cockpit significantly updated with a full glass cockpit and air-to-air refueling.
- Tu-62MT-X
- Export variant, with improved systems based on the Tu-64MT variant.
- Tu-62MT-A
- Tarsan variant equipped with full AWACS gear for operating off of aircraft carriers.
- Tu-60MT-E
- Tarsan variant fitted with ELINT gear.
Operators
Current
- Anikatian Navy – Naval Air Arm Approximately 24.
- Anikatian Air Force Approximately 15.
- Imperial Sea Legion - 50 airframes
- Imperial Air Legion - 100 airframes
Former operator
- Template:Country data Democratic Socialist Republic of Anikatia Anikatian People's Navy – Anikatian People's Naval Aviation Passed on to successor state.
Specifications (Tu-64MT)
General characteristics
- Crew: 4 Pilot, Copilot, Two Loadmasters
- Length: 21.42 m (70 ft 3 in) ()
- Wingspan: 21.80 m (71 ft 6 in) ()
- Height: 7.37 m (24 ft 2 in) ()
- Empty weight: 16,035 kg (30,900 lb) ()
- Loaded weight: 21,269 kg (46,890 lb) ()
- Max. takeoff weight: 28,956 kg (63,837 lb) ()
- Powerplant: 2 × Arsanukayev AVT-01P-II turboprops, 2,889 kW (3,875 shp), () each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 726 km/h (451 mph)
- Combat radius: 1,852+ km (1,000+ nmi) with external fuel tanks ()
- Ferry range: 3,508 km (2,180 mi) ()
- Service ceiling: 11,400 m (37,500 ft) ()
- Rate of climb: 34.7 m/s (6,820 ft/min) ()
- Wing loading: 274 kg/m² (56 lb/ft²) ()
See also
- Related development
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era