Molniya-1000

Molniya Triplane Aircraft

Molniya-1000 (Heracles)

The heaviest of the designed triplanes is the HERACLES twin-body aircraft-transporter. Its chosen dimensions are identical to that of a well-known An-225MRIYA so that it can be manu-factured at the existing airplane plants in Russia without construction of new assembly shops, but the HERACLES has the carrying capacity one and a half higher than the MRIYA. It is intended for carrying large-sized cargo up to 450 tons or passenger modules with capacity up to 1200 persons at the external suspension. It can be used as an aircraft-carrier for aerospace systems.

The HERACLES aircraft can be used on non-class as well as the first class airdromes with improved (if necessary) taxi ways. The use of low pressure pneumatics enables the aircraft operation from prepared ground airfields.

The cargoes are suspended between the HERACLES fuselages under the center wing section. They can be replaceable quick-detachable modules, where cargo containers and pallets, or super heavy or oversized constructions and aggregates such as hydro turbines, chemical reactors, petrol-chemical industry equipment, etc., or containers or tanks with liquid gas, dry substance goods and liquids including water for fire extinguishing, or at last passenger modules are placed. The system of lifting and lowering cargoes, available on the aircraft, curtails the technological cycle and simplifies loading and unloading operations because there is no need in bulky airdrome cranes.

NPO MOLNIYA offers to use the HERACLES not only for separate trips, but in the air transport system structure with practically uninterrupted cargo turnover as soon as the aircraft lands at the appointed stop of the route the suspended module will be immediately replaced and the aircraft will be ready to fly to a new destination, modules including passenger ones should be loaded in the special terminal just before the aircraft-transporter arrives.

After landing the aircraft should be taxied out at the working ground, where two loading-unloading self-propelled trolleys will come up to each aircraft. one empty for acceptance of the delivered module and its transportation to the terminal the second with a new loaded module. Simultaneously with loading and unloading refuelling of the aircraft should be made. The free space between the HERACLES fuselages opened on the two sides permits to establish the order of the aircraft maintenance in a circle, always clockwise or counter-clockwise, to exclude a collision of heavy non--manoeuvrable trolleys. Such organization of operations will reduce the aircraft down time in airports and will make the system extremely effective economically. The introduction of the HERACLES base transport system will make the same revolution in the air transportation as the wide use of containers has made on the railway and water transport.

Heracles airplane

Molniya-1000 (Heracles) aircraft Main Characteristics
Take of engine power, kg	- 6x40000
Maximum payload (incl. suspension elements), t	- 450
Take off mass, t	- 900
Maximum fuel reserve, t	- 358
Wing span, m	- 90.4
Length, m	- 73.4
Maximum cargo dimensions, m:
length	- 60
width	- 11
height	- 9.4
Operational range, km:
with maximum payload	- 2300...3100
with maximum fuel reserve	- 8300...11800
Cruising speed, km/h:	- 840
Take-off run, m	- 2350
Landing run, m	- 1000
Crew No. of persons:
Basic	- 4
shift	- 4

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