An-148

The An-148 series of regional jets with two engines is being created at the Antonov complex in cooperation with companies from Ukraine, Russia and other countries. An-148 is designed for transportations on regional and main lines. The Iranian defence ministry expressed interest in special versions of the An-148 to undertake roles such as troop transport, border patrol, medical evacuation and air tanking.

The new planes are called to replace in the air An-24, Tu-134, Yak-40 and Yak-42. As a base model, the plane can carry 80 passengers over maximum 5,000 kilometers at a cruiser speed of 820 - 870 kmph. In 2008 - 2009 Ukraine is planning to produce six An-148 planes. In its basic modification, the An-148 is designed to carry 70-90 passengers up to 5,000 kilometers. It costs an estimated $20 million to build, less than Sukhoi's Superjet 100 (around $28 million).

Russia's Antonov aircraft manufacturing company and Ilyushin Finance aircraft leasing company were promoting a new Russian-Ukrainian An-148 regional medium-haul passenger jet at the Iranian air show. "The next step is talks and future licensed production of the An-148 plane which we are showcasing at the air show and will show to the Iranian leadership," Antonov's general director Dmitry Kiva said. "Iran has already expressed interest in purchasing and setting up licensed production of this aircraft in broad cooperation with the Ukrainian and Russian companies," he added. Iranian officials stated, though, that the [An-148] negotiations had just started and the outcome would depend on the competitiveness of the Ukrainian-Russian plane on the Iranian market. In its basic modification, the An-148 is designed to carry 70-90 passengers up to 5,000 kilometers. The manufacture cost of each An-148 unit, which can carry between 85 and 99 passengers, is estimated at $18-$22 million. A cost estimated at $20 million to produce is cheaper than Sukhoi's Superjet 100 (around $28 million).

Antonov An-148 aircraft has two turbofan engines with a capacity of about 80 passengers. An-148-100 aircraft An-148 is the base model, which allows the movement of passengers at speeds between 820 to 870 kilometers per hour and 70's. Each seat of the chair is 84 cm longer provide the right atmosphere puts travelers. If the distance between the seats low and reach 76 cm Antonov then be able to move the 80 passengers on local routes.

In order to meet the needs of multiple airlines, as well as to reduce operating costs and increase profitability of the airlines, the base model of this aircraft has a range of 2200 to 5100 km. Aircraft An-148-100 aircraft with engines under the wings are wings that long. Method of making aircraft engines makes the engine and wing structure is protected from external damage.

Design of An-148 makes it possible that 55 to 80 passengers according to up grade, commercial and economic fit on the plane. An acceptable for flight cycles at a rate of 300 flying hours per month is considered. An-148-100 aircraft based on standards such as FAR-25, JAR-25 and AP-25 are built. The aircraft is also expected to meet ICAO has made in the field of environmental pollution.

Other models include the Antonov 148 Antonov An-148-200 was called 158 as previously noted. In the 158 fuselage has been stretched enough to accommodate 99 passengers in a single class. Antonov 158 made its first flight in April 2010 and successfully completed in the third March of that year received Russian certification. Other models in the design, the Antonov 168, which has a capacity of 8 to 40 seats for commercial use and has a range of 7,000 km. Also known as Antonov 178 transport has also been introduced.

Representatives of Iran's aviation industry planned to buy Ukrainian An-148 planes and arrange their batch licensed production in that country. Representatives of Iran Air and Iran Air Tour disclosed these plans following presentation of An-148 at Iran Air Show' 2008. In the course of the meeting, Mohammad Alizadeh, managing director of Iran's HESA production company, noted if Iranian air industry makes a final choice in favor of An-148, there will be no problems over its production, the Antonov aircraft engineering complex press service reported. "We have the experience of cooperation with the Antonov on An-140, and we are sure our new joint program will also be a success," he emphasized. According to Dmytro Kiva, general designer of the Antonov complex, Iran distinctly expressed the intention to buy An-148 and launch its production in a broad cooperation with Ukraine and Russia.

The An-148 jets will be made in Iran with the help of Ukraine and provide the country's air transportation sector with the 20,000 seats it needs. An-148, originally designed by the Ukrainian aircraft company Antonov, was produced by the Russian Voronezh Aircraft Production Association.

Iran's state-owned aircraft manufacturing company HESA signed a letter of intent with Antonov for 50 An-148 regional jets for delivery in the next eight years, that is, up to 2017. The bulk of the 70-seaters were to be assembled locally from kits, although an initial few were expected to be supplied directly from the KiGAZ Aviant plant in Kiev and the VASO factory in Voronezh. The contract, which was expected to be finalised in 2009, called for an increasing level of local production as the program progressed.

The Iranian Defense Ministry had been manufacturing a licensed version of the Antonov-148 since 2009. Dmitry Kiva, the chairman of the Kiev headquarters of the Antonov Aerospace Company, expressed hope at the Paris Air Show on 22 June 2011 that all the planes would be manufactured by the end of 2011.

By 2016, nothings seemed to have come of this scheme - none were reported in service, and there were seemingly no photographs of this aircraft in Iranian livery.