Aviation performs a wide range of tasks, but there are functions for which the capabilities of a conventional aircraft are not enough. For such a case, special aircraft are being developed that can cope with the assigned mission. They are made in single copies, have unique characteristics and sometimes unusual appearance.
1. M-55 "Geophysics"
The M-55 Geophysics aircraft serves as a flying laboratory and performs high-altitude flights, ascending into the Earth's stratosphere (up to 21.5 km). The aircraft was originally designed as a reconnaissance aircraft, but its unique flight capabilities made it an ideal choice for exploration and environmental monitoring. The modified aircraft withstands turbulence above average intensity and can stay in the air for up to 6 hours, carrying scientific equipment weighing 1.5-2 tons on board. On M-55, scientists carried out studies of the ozone hole in the Arctic regions, atmospheric anomalies over the Indian Ocean and other exploration work.
2. An-225 "Mriya"
Mriya has written its name in the history of aviation as the aircraft with the largest take-off weight, which other aircraft have not yet been able to surpass in terms of carrying capacity. The An-225 was created to solve very specific tasks: the delivery of the Buran spacecraft and the components of the launch vehicle from the production site to the cosmodrome. It was also planned to use the Mriya as the first stage of the spacecraft's air launch system. However, by the time the construction of the aircraft was completed, the tasks had lost their relevance, and the aircraft began to be used as a giant "flying wagon".
In this field, the An-225 has many achievements, such as the transportation of the longest cargo, the delivery of the largest single-cargo ship in the history of aviation, and an absolute record of carrying capacity. In total, Mriya's portfolio contains over 250 world records.
3. VM-T "Atlant"
While Mriya was under construction, two VM-T Atlant aircraft took over the delivery of large-sized elements for the Energia-Buran space project. These aircraft are a special modification of the 3M bomber. They carried loads on their backs, for which they lengthened the fuselage and designed a new plumage. Both "Atlanta" transported all large-sized elements of spacecraft, making more than 150 flights to the Baikonur cosmodrome.
After the completion of the Energia-Buran program and the appearance of the An-124 Ruslan and An-225 Mriya, VM-T aircraft were no longer needed. Attempts to find a new use for them were unsuccessful, and the aircraft were mothballed for an indefinite period.
4. Boeing-747SCA
When developing the shuttles, the Americans required heavy carrier aircraft for flight tests. The orbital stage could not take off on its own - it had to be lifted into the air and sent on a gliding flight there. For these purposes, as well as for the delivery of shuttles to the launch site, two Boeings were modified in the United States: 747-100 and 747-100S. The aircraft fuselage was strengthened, the power plant was finalized, the avionics were improved and trusses with attachment points were added. As a result, the take-off weight of the aircraft increased to 322 tons, and the flight range with the shuttle on board decreased to 1,850 km. Both modernized Boeings successfully served their time transporting shuttles, and after decommissioning, one went for parts and the other was turned into a museum.
5. Stratolaunch Carrier
In the race for space launches, the rockets quickly "made up" the aircraft, but despite this, air launch projects are still developing. On April 13, 2019, the aircraft of the American company Stratolaunch made its first flight. According to the developers, Carrier will become the launching and testing ground for the hypersonic vehicles of the future. The aircraft has received an innovative design with a double fuselage and a high wing, which allows launching rockets safely for the aircraft itself. The Stratolaunch Carrier has 28 wheels, six engines and the longest wingspan in the world at 117 meters. For comparison, for "Mriya" this figure is 88.4 m. Carrier can take on board several vehicles for launching at once.
Cognitive fact from Novate.ru: Today, almost all launch vehicles are launched from the ground, but the air launch has its advantages. With this method, costs are reduced, since it is not required to build a cosmodrome with all the accompanying infrastructure. In addition, the aircraft can choose a launch site away from people, for example, over the ocean or desert. The main disadvantage of an air launch is the limited carrying capacity of the aircraft. But for light loads such as small satellites, this is the best option. Therefore, many countries are working on projects for launching spacecraft from an aircraft, in particular the United States, France, China, Russia.
6. Airbus Beluga XL
The Beluga XL is the latest generation of transport aircraft used by Airbus for operations. The company's factories are located in different countries, so the aircraft deliver the components to the final assembly site. The internal volume of the Beluga XL is 30% larger than that of the previous generation - Beluga ST, and the aircraft is about the size of a six-story building. Previously, the corporation could carry only one wing of the Airbus A350 XWB in one flight, and with the new aircraft - two at once, thanks to the increased space of the compartment. In total, it is planned to build six such boards.
7. Be-200
The Russian air fleet has a unique Be-200 aircraft. It can perform takeoff and landing both from the ground and water surface, and its design combines elements of air and water craft. It is the only jet-powered amphibious aircraft in the world. Outwardly, it is similar to a military aircraft, but its shells are exceptionally peaceful - it fights fire by dropping water bombs. The Be-200 takes 12 tons of water on board, and loads it almost instantly - in 15 seconds, and its high speed allows it to quickly stop the spread of fire. At one refueling, the aircraft performs several “intake-discharge” cycles and is capable of dumping up to 270 tons of water onto the fire site.
But this applies to existing and used aircraft. But there is already concepts of the future, which should soon be brought to life.