RT-78 'Goliath'

The RT-78 Goliath (Russian: PT-78 ?????? NATO reporting: Colossal) is a megascale airlift cargo complex designed by Stanmich Aerospace Technologies in Soviet Russian during the 1970s. It is powered by 24 turbofan afterburning engines, and is the heaviest aircraft ever built, with a maximum takeoff weight of 2350 tonnes (2590 short tons; 5.18 * 10^6 lb). It also is the longest heavier than air aircraft to be in operational service. The single example built has the Russian civil registration RA-2702G.

The RT-78 was initially developed from the Antonov An-124 to launch conventional rockets and transport of intercontinental ballistic missiles. The only RT-78 was completed in 1978. After succesfully fulfilling its Soviet military missions, it was mothballed for 20 years. it was then Refurbished and reintroduced, and is in commercial operation with Roscosmos as a launch vehicle once more. The flying complex holds the absolute world record for the largest airlifted single-item payload of 1500 tonnes, and an airlifted total payload of 1520 tonnes.

The RT-78 was designed to airlift the SS-18 Satan and other heavy ICBMs en masse. it was developed as a replacement for the Mil Mi-26.

The RT-78 first flew on 21 December 1978. it was on static display at the Paris Air Show in 1979, and it flew during the public days at the Farnborough Air Show in 1990.

Crew: 12 (Pilot, Copilot, Navigator, 6 Engine Operators, and 3 Payload Specific Crew, namely Cosmonauts or Engineers for payloads)

Length: 173.3 m (568.5 ft)
Width: 35.6 m (113.5 ft)
Height: 14.9 m (48.9 ft)
Empty Weight: 181 tonnes (199.5 short tons)
Max Takeoff Weight: 2350 tonnes (2590 short tons)
Fuel Capacity: 645 tonnes (711 short tons)
Cargo Hold: 16964 m^3 (4.25m circle x 150m)
Powerplant: 24x RT-120 Swatch

Maximum Speed: Mach 4.6
Cruise Speed: Mach 3.2
Range: 5000 km
Service Ceiling: 27.5 km
Thrust-to-Weight at Sea Level: 2.5