AN-70 passes structural tests

KIEV, Ukraine, March 14 (UPI) -- Antonov JSC's four-engine An-70 military transport has successfully passed aircraft structural tests by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, the company reports.

The static tests involved the aircraft's high lift devices, control surface, engine installation, landing gear struts and doors and radome.

"Completed tests approved sufficient structural strength and the right choice of designed models of the An-70 strength," Antonov said.

The An-70 is powered by propfan engines. It's more than 133 feet long and 53.9 feet high. It has a cargo payload of more than 103,000 pounds and a range of about 3,500 miles.

Antonov designed the aircraft to replace its An-12 airlifter.

"Completed tests approved sufficient structural strength and the right choice of designed models of the An-70 strength," Antonov said.

The company said that based on the structural strength test results, Ukraine's Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute has allowed the aircraft to complete other joint state flight tests.