World's Largest Military Transport Plane

Militarymedia.net - Often we get a lot of questions as to which Military Transport Plane is the largest in the world. All the military air carriers mentioned here are huge. Our analysis is based on specifications, available data, and technical comparisons. The main factor is the size of the aircraft and its payload capacity. This list does not contain aircraft that are under development at the prototype stage. This only covers operational cargo planes.

Currently the 10 largest military transport aircraft in the world are:

Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules

The C-130J Super Hercules was developed by Lockheed Martin. This is the latest production version of the C-130 Hercules. The Super Hercules made its first flight in 1996. This replaces the previous production of the C-130H. The delivery of this tactical airlifter began in 1998. In 2014 more than 280 Super Hercules aircraft of various models have been delivered to at least 14 countries. The largest operators are the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, Australia, Canada, India, Italy and the United Kingdom. In Royal Air Force service, the aircraft is known as the Hercules C5.

This tactical transport aircraft has a carrying capacity of 19 tons. It can carry 92 soldiers, or 6 pallets, or 2-3 HMMWV, or a single M113 armored personnel carrier.

The long version, C-130J-30 has a payload capacity of 20 tons. It could carry 128 soldiers, or 8 pallets with cargo.

Shaanxi Y-9

In 2001 the development of new tactical transport aircraft began in China. It was designed in lieu of the Y-8 transport fleet (a copy of the Soviet An-12). China is trying to make tactical transport aircraft comparable to the U.S. C-130J Super Hercules. Eventually the Y-8 was stretched, upgraded and upgraded to make the Y-9. The military transport aircraft made its first flight in 2010 and began operations with the Chinese air force in 2012.

Y-9 can carry 25,000 kg of cargo. Whereas reportedly this plane will also overload with a payload of 30,000 kg. The transport plane can carry 106 passengers, 132 paratroopers, or 72 stretchers. Or it can carry two ZLC 2000 cross-air combat vehicles, which can be paraparadrop. The Y-9 can carry a variety of other military vehicles, including light trucks, cargo containers, or pallets. The rear cargo door serves as a ramp.

Airbus A400M

The Atlas Airbus A400M is an international project. The medium-haul aircraft made its maiden flight in 2009. The aircraft was ordered by 10 countries. The mayoral operators are Germany (60), France (50), Spain (27), the UK (25) and Turkey (10). The first production aircraft was delivered in 2013. The A400M will replace a range of aircraft, including the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules and transall C-160.

Airbus A400M's advanced design combines extensive use of composite materials. It is equipped with a turboprop engine. The engine was chosen for a number of advantages, such as cruise ship fuel efficiency and lower operating costs.

The A400M has a maximum payload capacity of 37 t. It can carry two 8x8 armored vehicles. This military transport can take off and land at semi-ready airfields and requires a relatively short runway. It is also designed to operate with limited or none of the land facilities.

Kawasaki C-2

The Kawasaki C-2 is Japan's new medium-range military transport. It began operations with the Japan Air Self-Defense Forces (JASDF) in 2016. About 30-40 aircraft are planned to be delivered. This will eventually replace the fleet of older Kawasaki C-1 and Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft.

The Kawasaki C-2 follows the line from the previous C-1. The layout is typical for modern military transport aircraft. To reduce development and production costs, the aircraft was developed in parallel with the Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft and shared the main fuselage parts, basic wing structure, and system components. This military transport has dimensions and payload capacity similar to the Airbus A400M.

The Kawasaki C-2 can carry more cargo than the aircraft it replaces. It has a maximum payload capacity of 37.6 t. The older C-1 can only carry 10-12 t and C-130 Hercules - 19 t. Kawasaki C-2 can carry about 120 troops, or 8 pallets of standard air cargo or one UH-60J helicopter.

Ilyushin Il-76

The Il-76 (NATO designation Candid) was the heavy transport of the Soviet first four jets. Production began in 1974. More than 800 military transport aircraft were built. Along with the An-12, it became the backbone of the Soviet Air Transport Command during the Cold War. It is used to fly strategic military cargo to frontline air bases under the most extreme operational conditions. The aircraft is still in service with a number of countries.

The Il-76 has a maximum payload capacity of 50 t. The aircraft is designed to deliver heavy vehicles and engines to remote airfields with poor service. It can operate from short and unpaved runways. Il-76 can cope with the worst weather conditions experienced in the Siberian and Arctic regions.

5 Xian Y-20

The Y-20 is a new Chinese transport aircraft. It was developed by Xian Aircraft Corporation (XAC) with the help of Russia and Ukraine. Nevertheless, it is the first heavy air carrier developed in China. Construction began in the 1990s. In 2006 the program became a national priority. The Y-20 made its first flight in 2013. China became the fourth country in the world, after the United States, Russia and Ukraine, to develop a 200-ton military transport jet. The military transport aircraft began operations with the Chinese air force in 2016.

The Y-20 has a payload capacity of about 60-66 t. It can carry most combat vehicles and large supporters, including Type 99 series tanks. In terms of payload, the Y-20 fits between the larger Boeing C-17 Globemaster III (77 t) and the similar size of the Russian Ilyushin Il-76 (50 t). The Y-20 is also superior to the Il-76 in terms of aerodynamic setup and performance.

The Y-20 can even be seen as a strategic airlifter. It has enough reach to reach most of Europe, Africa, Australia and Alaska. Previously China did not have heavy military transport capabilities.

The Y-20 layout is typical for modern military heavy transport aircraft. It is powered by four Russian D-30KP2 turbofan engines. It was developed by solovyev's Design Bureau in the 1960s. It has been reported that in the future the original WS-20 engine will be used. This wing for transportation was developed by the Antonov Design Bureau of Ukraine. It also showed some of the influence of the Boeing C-17 on the tail and cargo compartments as well as the influence of the Airbus A400M on the landing gear. Composite materials are widely used in fuselage to keep weights low.

Boeing C-17 Globemaster III

Boeing's C-17 Globemaster III is a USAF hard worker, flying regular strategic supply missions around the world. Development of heavy transport aircraft began in the 1980s. It made its first flight in 1991 and achieved initial operational capability in 1995. He replaced the Lockheed C-141 StarLifter. A total of 250 of these aircraft were built. It is used by the U.S. Air Force and several other countries around the world.

This airlifter has a carrying capacity of 76.6 t. It can carry M1A2 Abrams tanks, or three Stryker 8x8 armored vehicles, or three AH-64 Apache helicopters, or platforms that can be dropped from the air up to a weight of 49.8 tons. It can also carry a mixture of cargo and pallet vehicles. The C-17 can routinely operate from a previously rejected airfield for jet-powered transportation. If necessary, it can operate from an unpaved and un repaired runway.

Antonov An-22

The An-22 is the world's largest turboprop aircraft. At the time of its introduction in 1965 it was the largest aircraft in the world. The An-22 was widely used in the soviet union's main military air transport. But it was never produced in large quantities.

The aircraft has a carrying capacity of 80 t. It can carry four BMD-2 airborne combat vehicles.

This airlifter can operate from an unprepared airfield. It can take off and land on soft ground.

Currently only 6 of these aircraft operate with the Russian Air Force. It appears to be operated by an independent military transport aviation squadron. An additional 18 aircraft are in the warehouse.

The Antonov An-22 outperforms the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III on this list. Technically, the aircraft is slightly larger and can carry heavier weights. Although the C-17 is a much newer and much more advanced engine.

Lockheed Martin C-5M Super Galaxy

Lockheed Martin's C-5M Super Galaxy is a hard worker of U.S. strategic air transport capabilities. It is also the largest aircraft, routinely operated by U.S. forces.

The first operational Galaxy C-5 aircraft was delivered in 1969. A total of 131 C-5 series aircraft were delivered as of 1989. About 125 of them are still in operation. The C-5M is the latest upgraded version that is faster, has a wider range and can carry more payloads. The United States ordered a total of 52 C-5M aircraft to be converted from older C-5 series airlifters.

Super Galaxy has a spacious interior with roll-on/roll-off capability. Cargo can be accessed at both ends of the plane. It has a maximum payload capacity of 130 t. It can carry two M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks, or a 7-10 8x8 armored vehicle (Stryker or LAV-25), or 16 HMMWV.

The transport aircraft is operated by U.S. Air Mobility Command, Air Force Reserve Command, Air National Guard unit. At least two aircraft were assigned to the Air Force Special Operations Command and fulfilled the role of special forces.

The Super Galaxy aircraft is planned to be operational until 2030.

Antonov An-124

Antonov An-124 Ruslan (NATO Condor) is named after the legendary giant. It's broadly similar to the slightly smaller Lockheed C-5 Galaxy. Today the An-124 is the largest production military aircraft in the world. Only a one-time Antonov An-225 is larger.

The development of this long-haul heavy transport aircraft began in 1971. It made its first flight in 1982 and began operations with the Soviet Air Force in 1987. With the introduction of An-124 has set a number of world records. A total of 54 Antonov An-124 Rusian aircraft were delivered in 1995. There are currently more than 40 aircraft in service. Most of these aircraft are commercially used and only a small number are assigned directly to the Russian air force's air transport fleet. But there are provisions for many civilian aircraft that will be called for military service if necessary. Russia remains Ruslan's only military operator.

The aircraft has a maximum carrying capacity of 150 t. This strategic airlifter cargo space can carry almost any payload, including almost any Russian armored combat vehicle, helicopter, and other large cargo.