“In aviation, the relationship between technical excellence and beauty is especially noticeable,”
O.K. Antonov
O.K. Antonov “Motherland”, Oil on canvas, 100 x 70, 1974
ANTONOV – more than about airplanes
Oleg Kostiantynovych Antonov left behind not only a unique school of aircraft construction, but also his own example of a multifaceted creative person for future generations. O.K. Antonov created about 100 paintings. On his initiative and with his direct participation, in 1981, the Union of Artists of Ukraine organized the exhibition “Scientists Draw” in Kyiv, which marked the beginning of the development of his idea of revealing the multifaceted nature of personalities.
О.K. Antonov combined scientific and design activities with active cultural and social, socio-economic and teaching activities. Also, O. K. Antonov highly respected his own intellectual property at the national and international levels. That is why O.K. Antonov holds 72 invention certificates and 10 international patents. He is the author of three books and more than 200 scientific and popular scientific publications devoted to the problems of design, ergonomics, ecology, technical aesthetics, economy, culture and art.
State Enterprise “Antonov” (former Aviation Scientific and Technical Complex named after Oleg Kostiantynovych Antonov or ANTK named after O. K. Antonov) is a Ukrainian state aviation enterprise that combines a design bureau, a complex of laboratories, an experimental and serial plant, and a test complex. The enterprise has developed more than a hundred types of aircraft and their modifications. However, “ANTONOV” is known in the world, first of all, as a developer of transport, regional passenger aircraft and special purpose aircraft.
Since April 4, 2015, it has been part of the state concern “Ukroboronprom”. The company implements the full cycle of creating a modern aircraft — from development and serial production to providing comprehensive after-sales support.
Microsoft – technologies of the future that are developing today
Microsoft Corporation (Ukraine – Microsoft Corporation, Microsoft Corporation) is a multinational computer technology corporation with American roots, with 124,000 employees in 102 countries (2017), and is the world’s largest software company. The main office is located on the corporate campus in Redmond (Washington, USA).
The most popular products of the corporation are Microsoft Windows operating systems and the official Microsoft Office suite. Microsoft owns significant businesses in other parts of the market, such as the cable television network MSNBC, the Internet portal MSN, and Microsoft’s multimedia encyclopedia Encarta. The company also sells hardware, such as Microsoft computer mice, as well as entertainment products such as Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox One X, and MSN TV.
The name “Microsoft” means programs for microcomputers, now often shortened to two letters – MS (or in English – MS).
The history of the An-225 “Mriya” aircraft
Until its demise in 2022, russian soldiers will go to war against Ukraine, the Aн-225 was the largest aircraft in the world, immediately recognizable by its six engines hanging from its high wing. The plane was often used to transport the largest loads that would be impossible for other planes. Also, the plane was actively used during the coronavirus pandemic. In particular, in April 2020, Mriya delivered 103 tons of medical supplies from China to Kyiv to combat the coronavirus.
“Mriya” was developed at the Kyiv Mechanical Plant. The aircraft was created as part of the Buran reusable spacecraft project. For this, a heavy transport aircraft was needed, capable of transporting various components of the aerospace system from the place of production and assembly to the place of launch. Another task was the transportation of the shuttle itself. In addition, in the future, it was planned to use the Aн-225 as the first stage of the air launch system.
In total, two aircraft were planned, but only one was completed. The length of the ” Mriya ” was 84 m, height – 18.2 m, wingspan – 88.4 m. The maximum take-off weight of the aircraft reached 640 tons. It could carry up to 250 tons of cargo.
“ANTONOV” and “Microsoft” signed a license agreement for the right to use the trademark Aн-225 “Mriya”
“ANTONOV” State Enterprise and “Microsoft” Corporation signed a license agreement for the right to use the Aн-225 “Mriya” brand in the new version of the Microsoft Flight Simulator product. Each of its users will be able to feel like a pilot of the unique Antonov aircraft. “Microsoft” turned to SE “ANTONOV” with the initiative to revive the Aн-225 in this game in a form as close as possible to the original. SE “ANTONOV”, for its part, actively participated in the process of implementing this idea.
Flight Simulator is one of the most famous flight simulators. The game has an exact virtual copy of the planet, with cities, villages, buildings. The game updates time and weather data all over the planet in real time: if you fly over your own house in the game, the view from the porthole will be approximately the same as from a real window. The game is also known for its very accurate reproduction of popular aircraft models.
Microsoft’s Flight Simulator series has always been a hit with the aviation community. From hobbyists to pilots, this software allows everyone to express their passion for aviation. The latest edition of the franchise was released in 2020 and included a number of popular aircraft, including the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 747-8.
Microsoft Flight Simulator can be considered as specialized software that allows you to use it as a training complex. It is used by flight schools to train pilots. For example, MSFS allows you to master basic piloting skills in simple and difficult weather conditions at various stages of flight, from pre-flight preparation, take-off and flight to performing descent and landing. Regular and non-regular situations can be considered, in particular as part of crew interaction training to practice emergency situations in accordance with the Flight Operations Manual of the corresponding type of aircraft. Some tests and exams are accepted on the basis of training complexes using Microsoft Flight Simulator as a platform. There are various virtual flight training schools on the Internet that use MSFS in the training process.
According to the Head of the Microsoft Flight Simulator program Jörg Newman: “We wanted to launch this version precisely on the anniversary of the destruction of the plane, by February 27. Our desire is to do everything possible to restore the Aн-225. We plan to transfer the funds to the State Enterprise “ANTONOV”, which will rebuild this powerful aircraft.”
Aн-225 crew commander, chief pilot Dmytro Antonov had the opportunity to test the new game from Microsoft. He noted the high professionalism of the team that worked on the development of this product. In his welcome speech to the product’s users, he noted:
“Today I am happy to welcome you aboard the world’s largest transport aircraft Ан-225 “Mriya” in the game Microsoft Flight Simulator! We are sincerely grateful to everyone who helps us restore this glorious giant. I sincerely wish you to enjoy the beautiful, unique feeling of flight, when a powerful, unsurpassed bird comes to life in your hands, which feels so beautiful, easy and graceful in the sky! Let’s boldly take flight! Be brave like Ukraine! Mriya is coming! We will restore it together!”
One of the developers from iniBuilds showed the current state of the digital plane. You can see that the exterior of the aircraft, its cockpit and even the crew lounge have been modeled with a high level of detail. There are even such small elements as fans in the cabin and a table lamp on the navigator’s desk.
The opening of the nose hatch was also completely recreated. Although the process of opening the cargo compartment in reality takes about 7 minutes, the developers have added an option to speed up the process.
It is noted that in order to reflect the aircraft’s exceptional carrying capacity of 255 tons, the developers added a special tablet for managing the payload. Players will be able to choose from several cargo options, ranging from “regular” pallets and boxes, a train, a truck, and even a boiler, which will have a mass of 188 tons.
The developers were keen to emphasize just how large the aircraft is – with a total wingspan of 88.4 meters and the height of a four-storey building, the simulators will have to be very careful when steering and maneuvering to ensure sufficient clearance between the wing tips.
As for the release date, the aircraft was built by iniBuilds using the WASM (web assembly module) tools, which are planned to be included in Sim Update 12. However, Jörg Neumann emphasized that he would like the Aн-225 to be released by the 1st anniversary destruction of a real plane, February 27, 2023. This means that Xbox players will unfortunately have to wait at least until Sim Update 12’s scheduled release date (currently March 14th), and any further delays with SU12 will inevitably delay the console release of “Mriya”.
Of course, there are unofficial mods created by enthusiasts that add the Aн-225 “Mriya” to the MSFS. But the version from Asobo and iniBuilds will be official and probably more realistic. In addition, it became known that in March, with a one-year delay, another Ukrainian aircraft – Aн-2 – will finally appear in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Most likely, it will appear in the Local Legends series. And “Mriya” will be part of the paid addition to the game and will cost $19.99.
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copyright / intellectual property / MICROSOFT / Ан-225 Мрія / АНТОНОВ
