ANTONOV Aeronautical Scientific/Technical Complex
1, Tupolev St., 03062 Kyiv, Ukraine Tel:+380 (44) 442-7098
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Former President of Antonov Oleksandr Los resigned from his post on November 4, 2020 due to intrigues of Ukroboronprom's management. Alexander Los declared it on air of "Wave". "Even when I signed a contract with Ukroboronprom at the beginning of the summer, I immediately stated that attempts to use me in processes not related to the design, manufacture and sale of aircraft, they would be unsuccessful. Therefore, my departure is a protest. "a protest against those attempts to level Antonov's role as a world player," Los said. the formal reason for dismissal was the adoption of a new Statute for SE "Antonov", according to which the position of president of the state enterprise was abolished. According to the former head of the state enterprise "Antonov", "behind-the-scenes games behind the back of the president of our country" which "sincerely declared his desire to develop the aviation industry of Ukraine."
Ukroboronprom created a supervisory board for Antonov contrary to the legislation and agreements of the authorities and the aviation industry. The charter of the supervisory board is written in such a way that from now on Antonov will have to coordinate with Ukroboronprom any step, such as small purchases or personnel decisions in the structure of Antonov himself. And at the same time - the supervisory board from "Ukroboronprom" has the right essentially to dismiss the head of DP "Antonov", and in return to appoint the "trustee". Ukraine’s government liquidated the state company Antonov, assigning its remaining divisions to the state-owned arms production conglomerate Ukroboronprom, according to the Ministry of Economic Development on 27 January 2016. “The Government has adopted a resolution on the liquidation of the State Aircraft Manufacturing Concern Antonov. The manufacturer’s three divisions were transferred to Ukroboronprom,” the Ministry statement said. Antonov’s assets were assigned to Ukroboronprom[1] in the spring of 2015, and in July Kiev replaced the group’s management. In 2014, Kiev forced Antonov to sever its ties with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). The decision was likely linked with Kiev’s move to include Antonov as part of Ukroboronprom, Ukrainian media reported.
During years of independence of Ukraine ANTONOV created 4 new types of airplanes: Passenger turboprop AN-140, light multipurpose AN-38, military transport AN-70, passenger jet AN-148; modernized 13 types of the aircraft, certified 17 types of the aircraft, received 64 Type Certificates and Certificates on the aircraft ecology and noise level. Among the modern programs is further development of AN-148, AN-140, AN-74, AN-32, AN-124, AN-3 aircraft families.
The curtailing of Ukrainian-Russian cooperation opened up new opportunities for the Ukrainian aircraft industry and Antonov planes on the European Union and US markets, according to former first deputy industrial policy minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Ryzhov. But Fred Weir reported 17 June 2014 that "Antonov may suffer the most, since about two-thirds of the components for its current line of products come from Russia-based factories. But a joint venture to build the Russian military's new transport workhorse, the An-70, had already been suspended, leaving Moscow scrambling to find a replacement."
More than 12,000 people worked at the enterprise as of 2014. Among them there are representatives of 198 professions and specialities, the full staff of designers and scientists working in 35 scientific directions including such rare one as aerodynamics and strengthen of aircraft, mechanics, hydraulics, heat engineering, avionics, material science. Real masters of their work are engaged at all stages of the development of aircraft.
By order of the Minister of Industrial Policy VM Shandra, on 25 May 2005 Dmytro Kiva was appointed as General Designer. State Aviation Concern [aviakontserna] “Aviation of Ukraine” was established in the spring of 2007. Already in autumn 2008, the authorities reduced the number of participants from nine to four, renamed “Antonov” and approved a new charter concern. Honored Scientist of Ukraine Dmytro Kiva headed “Antonov” since its inception. In addition, since 2006, he served as president-general designer of Antonov ASTC. In 2009 he was awarded the title Hero of Ukraine for outstanding contribution to strengthening the country’s economic potential and contribution to the development of the national aviation.
A group of Ukrainian honored test pilots sent an open letter to the head of state Petro Poroshenko July 4, 2014 asking to retain the possibility of developing Ukrainian aviation industry and reinstating Dmytro Kiva as chief designer of Antonov State Enterprise (Kyiv), who had been dismissed by the government.
CMU Decree N 340 of April 9, Dmytro Kiva was dismissed as head of the board of the State Concern (SAC) "Antonov". Reasons for leaving the document did not explain. Kiva was dismissed as chairman of the management of Antonov State Aviation Concern, but remained the president and the general designer of Antonov Company and hoped to keep those positions; he said he learned about his dismissal "on the internet" and wasn't given a reason.
According to the company, the Cabinet of Ministers on the proposal of the Ministry of Industrial Policy of the former government also has approved a contract with D.Kivoy gap as the chief designer of "Antonov". In this decision the government sector is associated with non-public understanding of senior officials of the former leadership of Ukraine represented by former Secretary of the NSDC Andriy Klyuyev with Russia on the division of property of the air transport division "Antonov", one of the leading operators of heavy transport An-124-100 "Ruslan".
On April 22, 2014 Vitalii Klichko, the leader of Udar (Punch) party, visited the ANTONOV Company. This visit was held in connection with an open letter of the ANTONOV Company collective regarding the situation around the enterprise’s leaders. V. Klichko noted that Ukrainian aviation industry is very important to be preserved. “Our aviation industry makes our state to be among developed countries. One place in aviation branch creates 10 working places in related fields. Being politicians we must create a favorable climate for manufacturers for a normal work of economy. By no means must we loose ANTONOV – the proud of Ukraine. I am ready to do everything I can for the problems, existing around the enterprise, to be solved”, he said.
Ukrainian group of test pilots sent an open letter to the head of state Petro Poroshenko with a request to keep the possibility of developing the aviation industry of Ukraine and to reinstate the dismissed government of President - General Designer of industry leading enterprise "Antonov" (Kiev) Dmitry Kiva. "It hurts to see how indifferent leadership of the state belongs to the team leader of the domestic aircraft -" Antonov ". Why once again someone personal interests are stronger experience, professionalism, and integrity? Why extrajudicially debarred from office this Hero of Ukraine Dmitry Kiva? ... Dear Petr Oleksiiovych, we kindly ask for your help in providing further continuous work of the ANTONOV Company, prohibition of further pursuit of Dmytro Kiva, his reappointment as the head of the ANTONOV State Aircraft Building Concern. Future of our country is in your hands and we are sure that Ukraine has to keep its place among the leading aviation states of the world." - Stated in the press service of GP open letter.
Collective of the ANTONOV Company decided to picket the Administration of the President of Ukraine on June 19, 2014 after management of Ukraine did not react to numerous written applications, prior protest action near Cabinet of Ministers. More 2000 workers of the enterprise took part in the meeting, initiated by Primary Organization of Trade Union of aviation builders of Ukraine (PO TUABU) at the ANTONOV Company and at the ANTONOV serial plant. “President of Ukraine is our last hope” said Victor Huska, Chairman of PO TUABU at the ANTONOV Company.
The ANTONOV Company presented its modern programs at the Farnborough – 2014 exhibition, held 14–20 July near London. The work program of the ANTONOV’s delegation, headed by Dmytro Kiva, President – General Designer, included a number of meetings and negotiations, directed to development of interaction with European companies and aircraft operators.
By 2008 two AN-70 aircraft were being constructed at the Aviant Plant in Kyiv, but slowly. The AN-70 was still a joint project with Russia, but Russia continuously delayed the work. Russia planned to continue financing the project but the financing process was slow. If Russia were to pull out all together, the cancellation charge to Russia would be much greater than staying in. Ukraine would like to find an alternative to the Russian partnership to either prompt the Russians to action or to separate from the Russians on the project. Besides the general problem of Russian partnership, the wings for the AN-70 were produced in Tashkent at a firm that was now a part of a Russian aviation concern [In the USSR the AN-22 was serially produced at Tashkent Aircraft Production Corporation (TAPO im. Chkalova)], so this was another area where they need to find an alternative if they were to strike out on their own.
By a government decision in 2009 Antonov ASTC was attached serial Aviation Plant "AVIANT", which had bee plundered and brought into debt by the previous leadership. Dmitry Kivu, for the sake of the Kiev factory production aircraft, with the support of the Scientific - Technical Council and ASTC team took responsibility for adherence to plant ASTC "Antonov". During the period from 2009 to 2013 the parent company "Antonov" (previously - ASTC. Antonov) spent 2119.2 mln. on retooling, materials, taxes, etc. Moreover, it covered losses (723.3 million) and eliminated wage arrears (43 mln.). The Serial Aviation Plant was gradually emerging from a deep crisis and in 2013 built 6 AN - 148 and AN -158.
State Enterprise "Antonov" cooperated with more than 200 customers and partners from China, Turkey, Germany, Czech Republic, France, USA, Russia and. many other countries. President - General Designer Kiva aggressively developed cooperation of "Antonov" with many EU countries, including Germany, France, Poland, Czech Republic and other countries. This cooperation was based on the high authority of the Chief Designer Kiva among aviation professionals world and its ability to work with foreign partners and customers.
ANTONOV Aeronautical Scientific/Technical Complex was founded in 1946 by Oleg Antonov, the eminent aircraft designer. Since then, more than one hundred types and modifications of aircraft of various classes and purposes have been designed. Some of their more well known designs include the multipurpose transport planes An-2, An-74; cargo planes An-8, An-12, An-22 Anthey, An-26, An-32, An-72; super heavy-lifters An-124 Ruslan and An-225 Mriya; passenger planes An-10, An-14, An-24, An-28; special purpose planes - aerial photography An-30, meteolab An-30M, water bomber An-26P, search and rescue An-26M, and the polar version An-74.
In 1991 Antonov Aviation Science and Engineering Complex was founded on the basis of the Kiev Engineering Plant. The complex is oriented for four main branches: creation of transport (cargo), multipurpose and passenger airplanes as well as gliders and hangliders. ANTONOV ASTC has a highly experienced collective Design Bureau, wide complex of laboratories, experimental plant and the Flight and test base which make it possible to solve any task on aircraft development including its certification, as well as co-operation in field of manufacture, operational support and follow-on of all the Antonov aircraft types. During the years of the independence of Ukraine ANTONOV created 4 new types of airplanes: Passenger turboprop AN-140, light multipurpose AN-38, military transport AN-70, passenger jet AN-148; modernized 13 types of the aircraft, certified 17 types of aircraft, received 64 Type Certificates and Certificates on aircraft ecology and noise levels. Among the more modern programs is further development of the AN-148, AN-140, AN-74, AN-32, AN-124, AN-3 aircraft families.
Nowadays the ANTONOV Company is engaged in designing and building new aircraft prototypes as well as modifications of earlier designs, the provision of operational and product support and engineering work on extending the service life of existing aircraft. It also provides services such as basic and conversion training for flight and maintenance crews and international air charter transportation, particularly of outsized cargoes. On-site training of local personnel is available to ensure their mastery of their chosen aircraft. Antonov also participates in international cooperation in the field of aircraft and equipment design and manufacture as well as the development of land transit vehicles.
ANTONOV Company invested heavily in computer-aided techniques in design and analysis work thereby creating a powerful engineering and research potential. In-house wind tunnel facilities enable the testing of aircraft models. All aircraft types, including such giants as the Ruslan and Mriya, can be subjected to structural tests to determine their service lives in one of the largest fatigue test laboratories in Europe. Finally, Antonov completes the development cycle of the aircraft with flight test programmes to demonstrate the compliance of the aircraft with airworthiness requirements and the customer's specifications.
On December 30, 1992, the Interstate Aviation Committee Aviation Register (IAC AR) issued Certificate No.P-2 to ANTONOV Company granting authorization to develop civil aviation aircraft.
In recent years, ANTONOV ASTC is engaged in solving the problems of not only air but also land passenger transportations. Having used the aeronautical technologies, aluminium alloyes and composite materials the Antonov's staff has already developed the only in CIS and Eastern European countries low-floor tram, a family of comfortable and reliable trolleybuses. The Antonov's specialists designed bicycles that have rushed the sportsmen of the combined team of Ukraine to the Gold Medals of the Olimpic Games-2000 in Sidney (Australia).
Since removal to Kiev, the enterprise has been creating engineering and manufacture buildings and laboratories, developing production base and social structures. ANTONOV ASTC constructs housing, kindergartens, recreation departments, camps, health centres, sport bases, policlinic, subsidiary farm by own strength. The company renders assistance to pensioners and diseased veterans.
For the first time in the world, specially for this aircraft Ivchenko Progress Design Bureau designed a D-27 propfan engine and Aerosila Joint Stock Company developed a CB-27 multi-blade contrarotating propfan ensuring 30% less fuel consumption in comparison with current turbofan engines. The AN-70 aircraft comprises the best features of the transports created by the Antonov's staff for the 50-year activity. The aircraft performed its maiden flight on December 16, 1994. By 2011, preparation for the aircraft serial production was being proceeded at manufacture facilities of Kiev plant AVIANT and Omsk PA Polyot in cooperation with other aviation plants of the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
An AN-38 light multipurpose aircraft was designed and built in 1990s. It is intended to transport 27 passengers, mail and cargoes total of up to 2,500 kg over regional air routes. The aircraft is powered with TPE 331-14GR-801E engines produced by Allied Signal company (USA), with propellers made by Hartzell company (USA). The airplane made its maiden flight on June 23, 1994 at Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association named after V.P. Chkalov. The AN-38 aircraft's versions, an AN-38-100 and AN-38-200 (a version powered with Russia made TBD-20 engines), are serially produced at the same Production Association. The airplanes are delivered to operators of the Russian Federation and other countries.
Antonov's staff completed designing and building an AN-140 regional passenger turboprop aircraft. The airplane was developed to replace the AN-24 aircraft-veteran at air routes. Having close to the AN-24 passenger capacity (52 seats), the AN-140 airplane essentially surpasses the predecessor as for both passenger comfort level and performance: flight range is longer by 75%, flight speed is higher by 20% and fuel efficiency is almost twice higher. Besides, in comparison with the AN-24 aircraft the AN-140 one needs 30% shorter runway length required. The airplane made its maiden flight on September 17, 1997. It is serially produced at Kharkov State Aviation Manufacturing Company (KSAMC), Samara AVIACOR Joint Stock Company and HESA plant (Isfahan, Iran). The first serial aircraft manufactured at HESA performed its maiden flight on February 7, 2001. The AN-140 started regular passenger carries in March 2002.
Antonov company is engaged in designing and building an AN-148 new regional passenger aircraft powered with two turbofans. The aircraft is intended for 70-80 passengers deliveries over a distance of 2,800 to 4,000 km at both regional and long-haul routes.
The advantages of the Antonov aircraft include structural reliability, flexibility of transport operations, ability to use unpaved airfields and ease of maintenance. Due to the these qualities over a thosand and a half Antonov aircraft have been exported to over 50 countries world-wide. A total of more than 22,000 Antonov airplanes have been built.
Antonov may be considered as a part of large Russian-Ukrainian economic agreements and as of 2010 was possibly to become a part of the United Aircraft Building Corporation. Kiev planned to complete review of the contracts for gas supply with Russia by 26 April 2010 and convince Moscow to lower gas prices. In the first quarter it was $305 for 1,000 cubic meters, the price for the second quarter is expected to be $330-$334 for 1,000 cubic meters. According to “Ukrainskaya Pravda” referring to allegedly available draft of the agreement, this agreement provided for the transfer of the Ukrainian corporate group under management of a Russian state corporation.
The parties agreed that for the purposes of integration the Ukrainian Party will have a share in the registered capital of the JSC United Aircraft Building Corporation (UABC) through contributing 50% plus one shares of the State Aircraft Building Corporation “Antonov” by the way of payment for additionally issued shares of the JSC United Aircraft Building Corporation. This is the exact scheme of UABC creation. Aircraft building companies contributed their controlling shares in exchange for an insignificant part of the United Aircraft Building Corporation.
During the 6 months in mid-2012, Antonov’s net earnings fell to 71.4 mln UAH ($8.9 mln), a 34.3% decrease compared to the same period in 2011. Net sales, however, increased by 18.2% to 1 bln 449 mln UAH ($181 mln), as compared with 1 bln 226 mln UAH ($153 mln) last year. Gross profit for the accounting period increased by 1.2% to 320.2 mln UAH ($40 mln) against 316.4 mln UAH ($39.6 mln) in 2011 year.
A scandal surrounded the attempt in mid-2014 to replace the head of the Antonov state enterprise. This raised numerous questions about the legal aspects of personnel decisions, the efficiency of the manufacturer’s operations, and its prospects in world markets. Dmytro Kiva claimed that the Ministry of Industrial Policy no longer had the authority to dismiss him and appoint managers of industrial facilities because the ministry was in the process of abolition. In addition, he had not received official notification of his dismissal. His opponent, Serhii Merenkov, insisted that his appointment is legal, that the Ministry of Industrial Policy had the right to continue full operation – including the right to rotate the managements of enterprises – because the process of transfer of files from the Ministry of Industrial Policy to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade had not yet been completed.
The Antonov state enterprise became part of the Ukroboronprom state concern in 2015. A decision was made to separate the responsibilities of the management of Antonov into their financial and economic component and the scientific and technical component. The appointment on 13 June 2015 of Mykhailo Hvozdev as the acting president of the Antonov state enterprise was a surprise. Previously, Hvozdev was a parliamentary deputy for the Petro Poroshenko Bloc political party and occupied a fairly high 53rd place on the election list of this political party. At the time of his election to the parliament, he was the general director of Trans-Group Ltd and the general director of Audi Center Khmelnitsky. In other words, he was a dealer in German automobiles. At the same time, Dmytro Kiva retains the post of chief designer of the enterprise.
By mid-2016 Ukraine's major state-owned arms manufacturer Ukroboronprom and Indian companies were developing a model aimed at laying the foundation of mutual cooperation between the two states in the defense sector. The Indian companies show interest in technologies developed by Antonov design bureau and already have a positive experience with using them. They have also identified the most popular aircraft models, namely, cargo and passenger aircraft based on An-148/158/178 series. Antonov's An-188 and An-124 aircraft are also favored. "First, it is planned to set up a joint venture aimed to implement a joint project including by provision of funding, search of sales market, carrying out of market research and etc. The final goal is to set up the production of aircraft," the press service said 01 July 2016.
Sixteen new aircraft had been built at the Antonov Serial Production Plant (formerly known as the Aviant aircraft plant) since Ukraine gained independence. This number does not include prototype aircraft such as the An-178, which was built for demonstration and conducting tests, and aircraft built at the Kharkiv aircraft plant, the Antonov state aircraft manufacturing enterprise told the CFTS. "The enterprise began serial production only in late 2009, when the Antonov Serial Production Plant was merged with the Antonov ASTC by a government decision. The Antonov Serial Production Plant was practically out of operation at the time of the merger, having not produced any aircraft," the press service of Antonov said.
Following are the volumes serial aircraft production at the Aviant aircraft plant since 2009:
- 2010: one AN-148;
- 2011: three AN-32;
- 2012: three AN-32, two AN-148, and one AN-158;
- 2013: two AN-158;
- 2014: two AN-158;
- 2015: one AN-148 and one AN-158.
The Antonov state aircraft manufacturing enterprise completed the construction of the first test version of the AN-178 aircraft in 2015 and the second this year. Both aircraft are undergoing tests. Moreover, Antonov was completing the prototype of the An-132 aircraft, which was being created in cooperation with partners from Saudi Arabia.
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