World’s Longest and Largest Aircrafts

We are always amazed with the largest, longest, heaviest and fastest inventions. Here’s a list of the longest, heaviest and largest aircrafts in the world.

1. Saturn V: World’s Longest Rocket

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There were scores of rockets used since the advent of space exploration. One of the most notable rockets used is the Saturn V. It is exceptionally remarkable because it is the world’s longest rocket which was used by NASA in 13 missions including the Moon landings.

Distinguishing features:

• It was a three stage rocket measuring 110.6 meters or 363 feet in length
• It weighs 3,038,500 kilograms or 6,699,000 pounds.
• It remains the largest and most powerful launch vehicle ever brought to operational status from a height, weight and payload standpoint.

2. A340-600: World’s Longest Airliner

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Are you dreaming of flying with the longest with the longest airliner? Then try A340-600, an airliner that flies 380 passengers in a three-class cabin layout (419 in 2 classes) over 7,500 nautical miles (13,900 km). It provides similar passenger capacity to a 747 but with 25% more cargo volume, and at lower trip and seat costs. First flight of the A340-600 was made on 23 April 2001. The Airbus A340-600 will continue to hold the record for being the world’s longest commercial aircraft until the first Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental is rolled out in 2010.

Distinguishing features:

• It the longest airliner currently in production
• It is more than 10 m longer than a basic -300
• It is more than 4 meters longer than the Boeing 747-400
• It is 2.3m longer than the A380.
• This aircraft is worth $245.0 to $253.7 million as of 2008.

3. Antonov An-22 Antei: World’s Largest Turboprop-powered Aircraft

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Antonov An-22 Antei was the world’s largest aircraft, until the advent of American C-5 Galaxy and later the Soviet An124. Its NATO reporting name is ‘Cock’. It is powered by 4 contra-rotating, turboprops. This design remains the largest turboprop-powered aircraft in the world. This Russian aircraft first appeared outside the Soviet Union at the 1965 Paris Air Show.

Features include

• It has a capacity of 29 passengers and payload of 80,000 kg or 180,000 lb
• Its length is 57.9 m or 190 ft 0 in and Height of 12.53 m or 41 ft 1 in
• It has a wingspan of 64.4 m or 211 ft 3 in
• The maximum speed: 740 km/h or 400 knots or 460 mph
• It has a range of 5,000 km or 2,700 nm or 3,100 mi and
• It has a service ceiling of 8,000 m or 26,240 ft

4. Boeing 777: World’s Largest Twinjet

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Boeing 777 or Triple Seven is the largest twin-engine aircraft in the world. It can carry between 301 and 368 passengers in a three-class configuration and has a range from 5,235 to 9,380 nautical miles (9,695 to 17,372 km).

Distinguishing features;

• Largest diameter turbofan engines of any aircraft
• 6 wheels on each main landing gear
• Its circular fuselage cross-section
• The blade-like end to the tail cone

5. Boeing 747-8: World’s Longest Passenger Aircraft (Incoming)

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The current world’s longest airliner as previously mentioned is the A340-600. The title of being the world’s longest passenger aircraft will soon be taken away by the “Boeing 747-8”. As of 2009, the first 747-8 freighter is due to be delivered in 3rd quarter 2010, with the passenger model scheduled for 2011.

Distinguishing features:

• It has a lengthened fuselage
• Redesigned wings and improved efficiency
• This aircraft will cost will cost US$301.5-304.5 million

6. Tupolev Tu-p5: Longest Serving Tupolev Bomber

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Russians are famous for creating some of the most spectacular inventions in aircraft technology. One of which is Tupolev Tu-95, the longest serving Tupolev bomber. This aircraft is a large, four-engine turboprop strategic bomber and missile platform. It was first flown in 1952 and was put into service in 1956 and is expected to serve the Russian Air Force until at least 2040. Its NATO reporting name is ‘Bear’.

Distinguishing features:

• It has four Kuznetsov NK-12 engines, each driving contra-rotating propellers.
• It is the fastest mass-produced propeller-driven aircraft
• It is the only turboprop-powered strategic bomber to go into operational use.
• Its distinctively swept back wings are at 35 degrees, a very sharp angle by the standards of propeller-driven aircraft.
• It has 7 Crew — 2 pilots, 1 tailgunner, 4 others
• Its Length is 49.50 m (162 ft 5 in) and with a wingspan of 51.10 m (167 ft 8 in)
• It can reach a maximum speed of 920 km/h (510 knots, 575 mph)
• Its armament consists of a Radar-controlled Guns, 1 or 2 × 23 mm AM-23 cannon in tail turret and Missiles of Up to 15,000 kg (33,000 lb), including the Kh-20, Kh-22, Kh-26 and Kh-55 air-to-surface missiles

7. Tupolev Tu-160: World’s Largest Combat Aircraft Ever Built

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This is not a commercial airplane - it’s called Tupolev Tu-160, the largest combat aircraft ever built. Its NATO reporting name is ‘Blackjack’. It is a supersonic, variable-geometry heavy bomber created by Soviet Union. Pilots of the Tu-160 call it the “White Swan”, due to its maneuverability and anti-flash white finish.

Distinguishing features:

• It is both the largest variable-wing and largest combat aircraft ever built.
• It has the greatest total thrust and the heaviest takeoff weight of any combat aircraft
• It has the highest top speed
• It has one of the largest payloads of any current heavy bomber.
• It has 4 Crew: pilot, co-pilot, bombardier, defensive systems operator
• Its total length is 54.1 m (177 ft 6 in) with a spread wingspan (20° sweep) of 55.70 m (189 ft 9 in) and swept wingspan (65° sweep) of 35.60 m (116 ft 10 in)
• It has a maximum speed of Mach 2.05 (2,220 km/h, 1,380 mph) at high altitude
• Its armament is consists of 2 internal bays for 40,000 kg (88,185 lb) of ordnance, options include and 2 internal rotary launchers each holding 6 × Raduga Kh-55 cruise missiles (primary armament) or 12× Raduga Kh-15 short-range nuclear missiles

For the “longest, largest and heaviest airplane with largest fixed wing aircraft ever built” and the “largest passenger airplane” see it HERE

8. Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion: US’s Largest and Heaviest Helicopter

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This amazing aircraft is commonly called it “Hurricane Maker” because of the downwash this helicopter generates. It is official named Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion, the largest and heaviest helicopter in the US Military. A new model, CH-53K, is currently under development which will be equipped with three 7,500 shp (5,590 kW) turboshaft engines, new composite rotor blades, and a wider cabin.

Distinguishing features:

• It is used for long range mine sweeping or Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) missions
• It performs heavy-lift duties for the Navy
• In 1992, this vessel costs US$24.36 million on the average
• It has 5Crew: 2 pilots, 1 crew chief/right gunner, 1 left gunner, 1 tail gunner (combat crew)
• It has a capacity of 37 troops (55 with centerline seats installed)
• Its internal payload is 30,000 lb or 13,600 kg and its external payload is 32,000 lb or 14,500 kg)
• It has a total length of 99 ft 1/2 in (30.2 m) and a rotor diameter: 79 ft (24 m)
• Its maximum speed is 170 knots (196 mph, 315 km/h)

9. Mil Mi-26: Heaviest and Most Powerful Helicopter

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This aircraft is the world’s heaviest and most powerful helicopter in production. It’s another Russian creation and is called Mil Mi-26. Its NATO reporting name is ‘Halo”. This heavy transport helicopter is the biggest and most powerful helicopter ever to have gone into production.

Distinguishing features:

• It was designed as a heavy-lift helicopter intended for military and civil use.
• It has a design that is twice the cabin space and payload of the Mi-6, then the world’s largest and fastest production helicopter.
• It moves 28,000 pound amphibious armored personnel carriers
• It transports mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles to remote locations after delivery by an Antonov An-22 transport.
• This aircraft was the first helicopter to operate with an eight-blade rotor.
• It is capable of single-engine flight in the event of loss of power by one engine
• It can lift up to 20 tons (40,000 lb) - 8 tons more than Mi-6.
• It is the second largest and heaviest helicopter ever constructed, next to Mi-12
• It has 6crew – 2 pilots, 1 navigator, 1 flight engineer, 1 loadmaster, 1 radio/electronic systems operator
• Its total capacity - 80 troops, 60 litters, 20,000 kg cargo (44,000 lbs)
• Its maximum speed is 295 km/h, 183 mph (160 kt)

10. Mil V-12: World’s Largest Helicopter Ever Built

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This aircraft which looks like an airplane is the largest helicopter ever built. This vessel is another Russian made called Mil V-12. Its NATO reporting name is ‘Homer”. Only two prototypes were built.

Distinguishing features:

• It has 6 Crew: pilot, copilot, flight engineer, electrician, navigator, radio operator
• It has a Capacity of VTOL 25,000 kg (55,000 lb) or STOL 30,000 kg (66,000 lb) or
• 40,204.5 kg (88,636 lb) record
• Its Length is 37.00 m (121 ft 4 in) with a Rotor diameter of 2x 35.00 m (114 ft 10 in)
• Its maximum speed is 260 km/h (140 kt)

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See also

• World’s Largest Machines Ever Built

• World’s Fastest Machines Ever Built

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• 10 World’s Famous and Historically Significant Ships