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Antonov An-124 Ruslan

The Antonov An-124 Ruslan is a Soviet-designed, four-engine, heavy-lift strategic cargo aircraft developed by Antonov in the 1980s.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Antonov An-124 Ruslan is a Soviet-designed, four-engine, heavy-lift strategic cargo aircraft developed by Antonov in the 1980s. It is known by the NATO reporting name Condor and has been used for military airlift and oversized commercial freight. It is one of the largest production cargo aircraft ever built.

Development

The An-124 was designed in the late Soviet period by Antonov as a large strategic transport aircraft for military use. Sources describe its development as aimed at very high payload capacity and heavy airlift capability.

Design and capabilities

The aircraft is a four-engine, high-wing freighter with a wide fuselage, large landing gear, and front and rear cargo doors. These features allow it to carry very large and heavy loads, including equipment that may be too large for standard cargo aircraft.

Operational use

Although created for military transport, the An-124 has also been widely used for charter freight flights and outsized cargo missions. Multiple sources describe it as a major aircraft in the commercial heavy-lift market.

Size and records

The An-124 has been described as one of the largest serially produced cargo aircraft and, for many years, the largest production transport aircraft. Later aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8 surpassed it in some size comparisons, but the An-124 remains notable for payload and cargo volume.

Key facts

  • The An-124 was developed by the Antonov design bureau in the Ukrainian SSR of the Soviet Union.
  • It is a large strategic airlift aircraft with four engines and a high-wing design.
  • The aircraft was intended for military heavy transport and later became important in commercial outsized cargo operations.
  • Its cargo access includes nose and tail loading doors, enabling front and rear loading of oversized freight.
  • The type has a maximum payload of about 150 tonnes in some configurations.
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Canadian context

The An-124 is relevant to Canada mainly through international cargo logistics, since its oversized-freight capability has been used globally for shipments that cannot be moved on standard cargo aircraft.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Antonov An-124 Ruslan?
It is a Soviet-designed heavy transport aircraft used for strategic airlift and oversized cargo.
What is its NATO reporting name?
Its NATO reporting name is Condor.
When did the An-124 first fly?
The first prototype flew on 26 December 1982.
How much can it carry?
Sources commonly cite a maximum payload of up to 150 tonnes, depending on variant and configuration.
What kinds of cargo is it used for?
It is used for military equipment and oversized freight such as heavy industrial loads and other cargo that may require special loading arrangements.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonov_An-124_Ruslan
    Supports: Type, NATO reporting name, origin, and general description of the aircraft.
  2. AviatorDB — https://aviatordb.com/encyclopedia/aircraft/a124
    Supports: Service entry, payload, operational role, and fleet status.
  3. Flugzeuginfo — http://www.flugzeuginfo.net/acdata_php/acdata_an124_en.php
    Supports: Payload, design features, cargo doors, and kneeling loading system.
  4. Airliners.net — https://www.airliners.net/aircraft-data/antonov-an-124-ruslan/40
    Supports: First flight date, role, and production overview.