Myasishchev VM-T

VM-T Atlant
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VM-T with rocket booster at the Zhukovski Air Show in 2005
Type	Outsized cargo transport
Manufacturer	Myasishchev
Maiden flight	1981
Introduced	January 1982
Retired	1989
Status	Out of service
Primary user	Soviet Air Force
Number built	2
Developed from	Myasishchev M-4

The Myasishchev VM-T Atlant (NATO reporting name unknown, if any) is a variant of Myasishchev's M-4 'Bison' bomber designed as a strategic airlift airplane. The VM-T was modified to carry rocket boosters and the Soviet space shuttles of the Buran program. It is also known as the 3M-T.

Overview

The design was conceived in 1978 when Myasishchev was asked to solve the problem about getting rockets and other large space vehicles to the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Engineers used an old 3M (a modified M-4 bomber) and replaced the empennage with dihedral horizontal stabilizers with large rectangular endplate tailfins to accommodate any load that was twice the diameter of the aircraft's fuselage. A large cargo container, placed on top of the aircraft, would contain the freight. In addition, a new control system was added to the plane to compensate for the added weight.

The Atlant first flew in 1981 and made its first flight with cargo in January 1982. Its main task was to ferry Energiya rocket boosters from their development plant to the Baiknour Cosmodrome. On several occasions, the Soviet space shuttle Buran was piggybacked to the Cosmodrome as well.

Two Atlants were built. They were replaced in 1989 by Antonov's An-225 'Cossack' also known as 'Mriya' (russian and ukrainian plane's name). At least one Atlant remains at the Zhukovski airfield in Russia owned by TsAGI and Gromov Flight Research Institute.

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: 5
• Capacity: N/A
• Length: 51.2 m (167 ft 11 in)
• Wingspan: 53.6 m (174 ft 5 in)
• Height: 10.6 m (34 ft 9 in)
• Wing area: N/A
• Empty: 75,740 kg (166,980 lb)
• Loaded: 50,000 kg (110,200 lb)
• Maximum takeoff: 192,000 kg (423,300 lb)
• Powerplant: Four RKBM/Koliesov VD-7MD turbojets
• Thrust: 422 kN (94,800 lbf)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 500 km/h (468 kt; 310 mph)
• Range: 1,500 km (810 nm; 930 mi)
• Service ceiling: 8000-9000 m
• Rate of climb: m/min ( ft/min)
• Wing loading: N/A
• Thrust/weight ratio: 0.86 kgf/kg (8.4 N/kg)

Related content

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

VM-T Atlant

Similar aircraft

• Antonov An-225
• Airbus Beluga
• Aero Spacelines Super Guppy
• Boeing 747 SCA (Shuttle Carrier Aircraft)
• Boeing 747 Dreamlifter

External links

• VM-T with Buran Orbiter and with very large cargo onboard
• Aviation.ru
• Specifications
• Airline photos: Myasischev VM-T