• Forum
• SITREP
• Military
• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security

• Space

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Public Eye

Further Reading

Air-Launched Launch Vehicle

The Makeyev Design Bureau has also proposed developing the Aerokosmos air-launched space transportation system based on the Shtil-3A or RIF-MA launch vehicles. Using II-76 MD, An-124, or An-225 cargo aircraft as launch platforms, the boosters would be carried internally, air-dropped, retarded by parachutes and then ignited. The Shtil-3A would have a LEO payload capacity of more than 600 kg, while the RIF-MA could carry nearly one metric ton (References 229, 232, 241).

A different air-launch concept was proposed by the Raduga Machine Building Design Bureau of Moscow in 1991. A Tu-160 strategic bomber would carry the Burlak missile under its fuselage for release at a high altitude and speed. The original Burlak design envisioned a payload capacity of 700 kg into equatorial orbits, but improvements were made by 1992 increasing the payload capacity to 1,100 kg. Later, the German space agency DARA joined the conceptual studies, and the launcher name was changed to Diana-Burlak (References 242-244).

References

• 229. Aviatsiya i Kosmonavtika, May 1933, pp. 42-44.
• 230. "Makeyev Offers Site", Aviation Week and Space Technology, 26 April 1993, p. 65.
• 231. S. Tutorskaya, Izvestlya, 7 August 1993.
• 232. G. Lomanov, "Americans To Join Missiles' Recycling Project 'Priboi"', Moscow News, 1 October 1993, p. 8.
• 233. S. Golotyuk, Vozdushnyy Transport, September 1993, p. 5.
• 234. J.M. Lenorovitz, "U.S. Entrepreneurs Seek Russian SLBMs", Aviation Week and Space Technology, 19 April 1993, p. 22-23.
• 235. J.M. Lenorovitz, "U.S.-Russian SLBM Venture Plans Initial Test for 1994", Aviation Week and Space Technology, 3 May 1993, p. 60-61.
• 236. "Surf Launcher Uses Recycled Missiles", Aviation Week and Space Technology, 21 June 1993, p. 62.
• 237. "Design Begins on Russian SLBM Conversion Plan", Aviation Week and Space Technology, 2 August 1993, p.25.
• 238. J.M. Lenorovitz, "Russian Maker of SLBMs Seeks Civilian Spin-Offsn, Aviation Week and Space Technology, 9 August 1993, pp. 48-49.
• 239. J.M. Lenorovitz, "Payloads Sought for Former SLBMs", Aviation Week and Space Technology, 4 January 1994, p. 54.
• 240. B. Iannotta, "Two U.S. Firms Set Sights on Sea-Launched Rockets", Space News, 29 November - 5 December 1993, p. 8.
• 241. A. Lomanov, Moskovskiye Novosti, 31 October 1993, p. B12.
• 242. Burlak Aviation Complex, brochure, 1991.
• 243. "Russians Improve Planned Payload of Air-Launched Booster", Aviation Week and Space Technology, 24 August 1992, p. 65.
• 244. J.M. Lenorovitz, "Germany's DARA Studies Burlak Booster", Aviation Week and Space Technology, 27 June 1994, pp. 73-75.
• Adapted from: Europe and Asia in Space 1993-1994, Nicholas Johnson and David Rodvold [Kaman Sciences / Air Force Phillips Laboratory]