New Sovietskiy Antonov An-74 "Coaler" Transport:

This plane was produced in large numbers in the Soviet Union even before the collapse of communism in the early Nineteen-Nineties. The plane was first introduced in 1977 and production was not begun until the 1980s. The transport operated in both military and civilian roles. It remained in service during the Russian flirtation with capitalism. In civilian roles, the aircraft continued in production. It was a short take off and landing design and with it being still in production, it was the perfect design to be used when Communists came back into power. It was used both for transport roles and for maritime patrol missions. The design was updated and it was considered a stop gap design. Even so, the aircraft was further updated with a fusion turbines when an all new vertical take off and landing version was delayed. Versions of this aircraft served until the coming of the Rifts and it is operated by groups with Russia after the coming of the Rifts.

In addition to being operated with the Russian borders, the aircraft was sold to various outside groups and a similar plane was also produced in China. These aircraft can be found in virtually every continent and was sold to many non Communist powers due to being a generally excellent design and being extremely affordable. Many mercenary companies operated these aircraft and several have continued to operate these aircraft after the coming of the Rifts. Several companies produce similar designs since the coming of the Rifts.

The aircraft is one of the few designs which use the Coand effect for short take off and landing, utilizing engine exhaust gases blown over the wing's upper surface to boost lift. It was similar to a larger Boeing design, the YC-14. The first generation engines were a slightly more powerful version of the Lotarev D-36 turbofans mounted in the original version. Each one produces about 65 kilo-Newton of thrust. Speed is still around the same with a top speed of around 720 kph and range is around 5,000 kilometers. Because it cannot be refuled in the air, the range cannot be extended. In later versions, these were replaced by even more powerful fusion turbines. These give the aircraft virtually unlimited range compared to the original engines and thrust is increased to around 70 kilo-Newton of thrust. Speed is slightly increased to around 745 kph.

The main difference between original model of the An-74 and the upgraded models introduced in the Twenty-Thirties was that the aircraft was built from high strength composites and alloys. In addition to making the aircraft extremely tough against attacks, the aircraft is virtually immune to corrosion. The new alloys and composites was one of reasons so many of these aircraft survived the coming of the Rifts.

The aircraft is designed to carry either passengers or cargo with special folding seats for passengers. It is designed for light transport with larger aircraft performing heavy transport roles. Up to sixty-eight passengers can be carried or up to forty-eight paratroopers. Due to some minor redesigns in the aircraft, cargo carrying is increased to 12,000 kilograms. Nuclear powered versions have a further increased cargo carrying ability up to 15,000 kilograms although the cargo bay is not increased in volume. These aircraft have a standard crew of three with a well designed, if comparatively simple, cockpit with civilian grade electronics. Both cockpit and cargo bay are pressurized with the cargo bay being able to be refrigerated for perishable cargo.

Unlike most Western transport designs, the An-74 can carry a variety of weaponry. In addition to protective decoy systems, these include gun pods, rocket packs, and even light bombs internally. At first the gun pod was the 23 mm auto cannon but replaced in most aircraft later with a 10 mm rail gun. Unlike the United States, the Russian military did not operate a true gun ship version of their transports. There was questions about the advantage of lightly arming these transports and the weapon systems are rarely used. Civilian models sold outside of Russia were rarely equipped to carry ordnance although civilian versions operated inside of Russian were equipped to be armed because they were expected to perform military roles in wartime.

Model Type:An-74-SConventionally Powered Version
An-74-UNuclear Powered Version
Vehicle Type: Light STOL Transport
Crew: Three (Pilot, Co-Pilot, and Engineer)
Troops: 68 Troops (48 Paratroopers / 36 Medical Litters)

M.D.C. by Location:
23 mm Gun Pod (1, Optional - Early Versions)30
10 mm Rail Gun Pod (1, Optional - Later Versions)50
Rocket Pods (2, Optional):50 each
Rear Cargo Door200
Side Doors (2)40
[1] Wings (2):225 each
[2] Elevators (2):85 each
[2] Rudders (1):120
Cockpit:160
[3] Engines (2):200
Landing Gear (5):10 each
[4] Main Body:450

Notes:
[1] Destroying a Wing will cause the plane to crash.
[2] Destruction of one elevator will still allow the aircraft to be controlled by the varying of power levels of the engines but transport has a penalty of -10 to dodge, and a -30% penalty to all piloting rolls. Destruction of both of the elevators will leave the plane uncontrollable and aircraft crew must evacuate to survive. Elevators are mounted above rudder so the loss of the rudder also causes the loss of elevators.
[3] The destruction of one engine will reduce the transports top speed by one half and give the pilot a -4 penalty to dodge as well as giving a 10% penalty to piloting. Destruction of both four engines and/or propellers will cause the aircraft to crash. Pilot may attempt a emergency landing or transport crew can choose to eject.
[4] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will shut the Aircraft down completely, rendering it useless and causing it to crash if in flight.

Speed:
Driving on Ground (Taxiing): Only possible for take offs and landings as well as for parking and storage. Speed is 40 mph (64 kph) when traveling and not on take off or landing. Aircraft can land and take off from primitive runways.
Flying: Conventional: Designed for short take offs and landings. The An-74 can reach a top speed of 447.4 mph (720 kph / 388.8 knots). The aircraft does not have an afterburner and the aircrafts normal cruise speed is 372.8 mph (600 kph / 324.0 knots) but varies on situation. The An-74 has a maximum altitude of 40,026.2 feet (12,200 meters)
Nuclear: Designed for short take offs and landings. The An-74 can reach a top speed of 462.9 mph (745 kph / 402.3 knots). The aircraft does not have an afterburner and the aircrafts normal cruise speed is 372.8 mph (600 kph / 324.0 knots) but varies on situation. The An-74 has a maximum altitude of 41,994.8 feet (12,800 meters)
Range: Conventional: 2,982.6 miles (4,800 km) with maximum payload. The aircraft has approximately 25% better range when the aircraft is non carrying any cargo. The An-74 cannot be refueled in the air
Nuclear: Effectively Unlimited but does overheat when operated for long periods of time. The An-74 engines will overheat after 12 hours of continuous operation when running at top speed and 24 hours when run at under 372.8 mph (600 kph / 324.0 knots)

Statistical Data:
Height: 27 feet 0 inches (8.24 meters)
Wingspan: 84 feet 9 inches (25.83 meters)
Length: 87 feet 2 inches (26.58 meters)
Weight: An-74-S (Conventional): 16,534.7 pounds (7,500 kg) empty and 47,399.4 pounds (21,500 kg) maximum takeoff weight. An-74-U (Nuclear): 17637.0 pounds (8,000 kg) empty and 5,2910.9 pounds (24,000 kg) maximum takeoff weight.
Power System: An-74-S (Conventional): Two Lotarev D-36 turbofans, uses aviation fuel , An-74-U (Nuclear): Two Nuclear Fusion Turbines, Should have an average lifespan of 8 years.
Cargo: An-74-S (Conventional): 13.22 tons (12 metric tons), An-74-U (Nuclear): 16.53 tons (15 metric tons)
Black Market Cost: An-74-S (Conventional): 3 to 5 million credits, An-74-U (Nuclear): 8 to 12 million credits.

Weapon Systems (None Standard):

  1. Gun Pod (1): The An-71 Coaler transport can be fitted with a weapon pod which fires forward. This can be a 23 mm cannon or a 10 mm rail gun. Older models tended to carry a 23 mm cannon with most later models carrying a 10 mm rail gun. Weapon pod is controlled by either the pilot or copilot.
    1. GSH-23 Auto-Cannon Pod (23 mm): Cannon fires a 23 mm rounds. This weapon system is one of the standard weapon of many Soviet aircraft before the first fall of the Soviet Union. New ammunition types were designed for the cannon to increase in damage and inflicts good damage. It was still decided that the heavy rail gun would be more effective.
      Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,310 meters)
      Mega Damage: 4D6 per 10 round burst, 1D6x10 for a burst of 30 round, and 2D4 for each round.
      Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the Pilot / Copilot.
      Payload: 240 rounds (24 short bursts and 6 long bursts)
    2. GSR-10 Heavy Rail Gun Pod (10 mm): Fires a 10 mm projectile. The Soviet military was unable to make an effective liquid propellant weapon and instead developed, some say stole, a rail gun design for their existing vehicles. Replaces the 23 mm auto-cannon in most models. It is carried in many tanks and other combat vehicles.
      Maximum Effective Range: 4,920 feet (1,500 meters)
      Mega Damage: Single shot inflicts 2D4 and 20 round burst does 1D6x10+10.
      Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the Pilot / Copilot.
      Payload: 600 rounds (30 bursts).
  2. Mini-Missile Pods (2): Optionally carried on the wings of the transport. Large capacity mini-missile pod. The mini missile pods are normally carried for ground strafing, anti-troop, and anti-emplacement attacks. Normal missile used are armor piercing, plasma, or fragmentation mini-missiles. Weapon system is controlled by the pilot or co-pilot.
    Maximum Effective Range: Varies with missile types, mini-missiles only (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
    Mega-Damage: Varies with mini-missile types (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
    Rate of fire: Each pod can fire one at a time or in volleys of 2, 4, 8, or 10 and can be linked with other mini missile pods for greater number of missiles (Counts as one attack no matter how many missiles in volley)
    Payload: each pod carries 20 mini-missile.
  3. Bombs: The An-74 is designed to be able to carry bombs internally in the cargo bay. Both unguided and guided bombs can be carried. Weapon system is controlled by the pilot or co-pilot. Four medium sized bombs or a total of eight light bombs can be carried or a mixture of both types can be carried..
    Maximum Effective Range: Varies by bomb type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
    Mega Damage: Varies by bomb type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
    Rate of Fire: Bombs can be dropped one at a time or in volleys of two or four but volley must be the same size (light or medium)
    Payload: 4 medium bombs or 8 light bombs (two light bombs can be substituted for one medium bomb)
  4. Anti-Missile Chaff/Flare Dispenser (1): Use the same effects as the TRIAX model. However, each time the system is engaged, the system fires off one chaff and 1D4 flares. Rifts Earth decoys systems are assumed to not operate against Phase World missiles due to technological difference. Reduce effects by 20% against smart missiles (Add +20% to rolls for smart missiles.)
    Effect: Also note that the chaff cloud will also blind flying monsters that fly through cloud. They will suffer the following penalties: reduce melee attacks/actions, combat bonuses, and speed by half. Duration: 1D4 melee rounds.
    Payload: 20 chaff, 40 flares. Each time the system is engaged, the system fires off one chaff and 1D4 flares.

[New Navy, New Sovietskiy, and TRIAX are trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]
[ Rifts® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc.]

By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

Copyright © 2008, Kitsune. All rights reserved.

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