The Ukrainian-headquartered project cargo operator has worked with Orbital ATK to transport its Al Yah 3 communications satellite

Houston, Texas, United States, Tuesday 23rd January 2018 — ANTONOV Airlines, which recently established a USA base in Houston, Texas as part of ongoing global expansion, has transported an outsized communications satellite for Orbital ATK.

The Al Yah 3 Satellite, the first of Orbital ATK’s GEOStar-3 satellite platform, was accommodated in a container that measured 11.4m long, 4.6m wide, and 4.1m high, and weighed 23 tonnes.

The cargo travelled from Washington Dulles International Airport, USA to Cayenne, French Guiana on board one of ANTONOV’s seven AN-124–100 aircraft, which has a cargo cabin capable of accommodating such oversized cargo as well as a payload of up to 150 metric tonnes.

“Due to the size and weight of the cargo, we used a low-profile ramp system — specifically designed and manufactured by ANTONOV Company for the satellite and space transportation sector, to safely and efficiently load and offload the satellite,” said Amnon Ehrlich, Director Sales — North America, ANTONOV Airlines.

“We are honoured to have been selected as the transport partner for this project, which further illustrates ANTONOV Airlines’ commitment to its customers and excellence in delivering outsized high-value aerospace equipment worldwide.

“The aircraft returned to Washington Dulles International Airport with Orbital ATK’s newly developed Galileo spacecraft container in order to accommodate another satellite transport requirement for Orbital ATK.”

ANTONOV Airlines operates the largest aircraft in the world, the AN-225, which has a payload of 250 tonnes.

The Ukrainian heavy lift and super heavy lift operator has recently established a UK office in London, and has appointed General Sales Agents in Japan, Australia, and India.

ANTONOV Airlines is the air transportation division of ANTONOV Company, a Ukrainian state-owned enterprise headquartered in Kyiv, Ukraine, which designs, develops, produces, and maintains the AN aircraft.

ENDS

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ANTONOV Airlines, which recently established a USA base in Houston, Texas as part of ongoing global expansion, has transported an outsized communications satellite for Orbital ATK.

The Al Yah 3 Satellite, the first of Orbital ATK’s GEOStar-3 satellite platform, was accommodated in a container that measured 11.4m long, 4.6m wide, and 4.1m high, and weighed 23 tonnes.

The cargo travelled from Washington Dulles International Airport, USA to Cayenne, French Guiana on board one of ANTONOV’s seven AN-124–100 aircraft, which has a cargo cabin capable of accommodating such oversized cargo as well as a payload of up to 150 metric tonnes.

ABOUT ANTONOV AIRLINES

ANTONOV Airlines specialises in the transport of outsized and project cargo worldwide using its fleet of seven AN-124–100-type “Ruslan” aircraft with up to 150 tonnes payload, its 60-tonne payload AN-22, and its unique 250-tonne payload AN-225 “Mriya”, which is the largest aircraft in the world, and smaller AN-26 and AN-74 aircraft.

More than 28 years after launching as the first company to offer the AN-124–100 commercially, ANTONOV Airlines continues to deliver air cargo solutions across the aerospace, defence, energy, humanitarian, industrial, automotive, and oil and gas sectors.

ANTONOV Airlines is a division of ANTONOV Company, headquartered in Kyiv, Ukraine, and a Ukrainian state-owned enterprise, which designs, develops, produces and maintains the AN aircraft.

The UK Office of ANTONOV Airlines is based at Diamond Hangar, London Stansted Airport.

To find out more visit antonov.com and antonov-airlines.com

About Orbital ATK

Orbital ATK is a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies. The company designs, builds and delivers space, defense and aviation systems for customers around the world, both as a prime contractor and merchant supplier. Its main products include launch vehicles and related propulsion systems; missile products, subsystems and defense electronics; precision weapons, armament systems and ammunition; satellites and associated space components and services; and advanced aerospace structures. Headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, Orbital ATK employs approximately 13,000 people across the U.S. and in several international locations. For more information, visit www.orbitalatk.com