The largest cargo planes in the world

Ever since people learned how to design flying machines, they have been used to transport heavy and oversized cargo. During the history of aeronautics, many transport aircraft has been created, which impress with their huge size. In today's selection, we present to your attention the 11 largest cargo aircraft in the world.

11 PHOTOS

1. Antonov An-225 "Mriya".

An-225 is currently the largest aircraft in the world, it has an extra large payload and can lift about 250 tons into the air. Initially, the An-225 was designed and built to carry components of the Energia launch vehicle and the Buran reusable spacecraft.

2. Boeing 747 Dreamlifter.

This transport aircraft is a modified version of the Boeing 747, it was built and is used exclusively to transport parts of the Boeing 787 aircraft. A special feature of the Dreamlifter is its unusual appearance.

3. Aero Spacelines Super Guppy.

The Super Guppy cargo plane was produced in five copies and today only one of them is used. It is owned by NASA and is operated to deliver bulky cargo and parts of spacecraft.

4. Antonov An-124 "Ruslan".

The An-124 is a heavy military transport aircraft for long-distance transportation, the largest of all serial commercial cargo aircraft in the world. It was designed primarily for the air transport of ICBM launchers, as well as for the transport of heavy military equipment. The carrying capacity of the An-124 is 120 tons. Maintenance of the aircraft can only be carried out in a special hangar built for the company that owns the An-124 from metal structures.

5. Lockheed C-5 Galaxy.

American military transport aircraft, the second in terms of carrying capacity after the An-124. The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is capable of carrying six helicopters or two large tanks in its cargo hold. The total weight that the aircraft can carry is over 118 tons.

6. Airbus A300-600ST Beluga.

A jet cargo aircraft for the transport of bulky cargo, which was developed on the basis of the Airbus A300 series. The main purpose of creating the A300-600ST is to replace the Super Guppy transport aircraft. The name Beluga is due to the shape of the body, which resembles a beluga whale. The carrying capacity of the Beluga is 47 tons.

7. Antonov An-22 "Antey".

Soviet-made heavy transport aircraft, the largest turboprop aircraft in the world. Currently, the aircraft is used by the Russian Air Force and the Ukrainian cargo airline Antonov Airlines. The carrying capacity of the An-22 is 60 tons.

8. Boeing C-17 Globemaster III.

The C-17 Globemaster III is one of the US Air Force's most widely used military transport aircraft and is still in use today. The aircraft is designed to transport military equipment and troops, as well as to carry out tactical missions. The carrying capacity of the C-17 is more than 76 tons.

9 Airbus A400M Atlas.

The A400M Atlas was designed and built as an international project for the air forces of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and several other countries. It is a four-engine turboprop aircraft with a carrying capacity of up to 37 tons.

10. Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules.

The most common military transport aircraft in the world, operated by 65 countries. The carrying capacity of the aircraft is about 19 tons.

11. Kawasaki C-2.

A Japanese Air Self-Defense Force twin-engine military transport aircraft designed as a replacement for the Kawasaki C-1 and Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft. The carrying capacity of the C-1 is 37 and a half tons.