OREANDA-NEWS. December 23, 2008. On the base of state scientific-experimental centre of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in Crimea a regular round of tests of military medium-range transport aircraft AN-70 concerning a capacity to fulfill tasks in air dropping was completed.

During the trials of AN-70 plane bearing ammunition and equipment nomenclature 32 prepared servicemen from the units of airborne and airmobile subdivisions of the Land Forces of AFU and marines of the Centre of coastal defence troops of the Naval Forces of the AFU have been landed.

As senior assistant to the head of a paratroopers’ department of the detached marine battalion captain Ihor Kharchenko explained, AN-70 doesn’t yield in its characteristics to Il-76, but in certain parameters surpasses it.

“AN-70 is perfectly adjusted to air dropping of the troops, it is more maneuverable, possess a capacity to keep lower speed than Il-76,” the officer stressed.

AN-70 belongs to a new class of short takeoff and landing tactical military transports. The aircraft is designed to air drop military equipment. It is capable of delivering armoured materiel, vehicles, helicopters, equipment and paratroopers at the total weight of 35-47 tons to the distance of up to 5100 kilometers.