New Sovietskiy Antonov An-124 "Condor" Transport:

The An-124 Condor was the largest mass produced transport aircraft until the introduction of the Airbus 380. It is physically similar to the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy but the Antonov design is about twenty-five percent larger. It also has a longer range than the similar American design. The first Condor flew in 1982 with the aircraft being produced in two plants, one was in Russia and the other in the Ukraine. As a result, when the Soviet Union fell, production was halted. Still, many of the aircraft remained in service until the coming of the Rifts and many were upgraded to extend their service lives.

When the Communists took control of the government after flirting with capitalism for several decades, there had been little budgets for military aircraft and even less for research and development. Because of this, is was logical for the new government to use where possible older designs. These designs were generally considered stop gap solutions but many were not retired until long after it was assumed they would be. In many cases, transport designs were considered a lower priority than combat hardware. The designs were upgraded while in service with a version powered by fusion turbine engines. While the majority had been retired, some still served until the coming of the Rifts.

The New Soviet military were not the only forces to operate these planes with some being sold to outside interests. These aircraft could carry enormous cargo loads as well as being quite affordable for their size. While most were sold to allies of the New Soviet government, they were sold to other interest parties as well. Even some civilian groups purchased these aircraft. As a result of the interest in these transports, they can be found spread out all over the continent of Earth even after the coming of the Rifts. This includes even inside the borders of what was once the United States.

The most important update to the initially produced versions of the transport was to build the fuselage and frame from high strength composites and alloys. This makes the aircraft far tougher than previous models as well as making them virtually immune to the punishing which nature could dish out. This transports were equally capable in the northern wilderness of Siberia, deserts of northern Africa, and the jungles of southeast Asia. Engines are also upgrades with a maximum output of 250 kilo-Newton of thrust per engine. Speed is little greater than the original versions of this aircraft. Later versions, when the replacement design was delayed, was a version with even more powerful fusion turbines. This version was almost unlimited in range. The one real weakness the aircraft has compared to most newer designs is that the aircraft is neither short take off or landing or vertical take off and landing.

The conventional version of aircraft is designed to be able to carry up to one hundred and fifty metric tons of cargo. Nuclear powered versions have an even greater payload with the ability to carry up to one hundred and eighty metric tons total. Like the American C-5 Galaxy, the aircraft has a cargo hatch in both the nose and in the rear of the transport. The transport is designed to be able to kneel to allow for easier front loading. Absolutely huge cargos can be carried in the upgraded versions of the Condor. The transport has the ability to carry up to eighty-eight passengers in a compartment behind the main cockpit. Still, the pressurization in the fuselage is limited and the aircraft rarely carries paratroopers. The aircraft is designed to be operated by crew of six including both a flight crew and cargo masters. As a transport aircraft, the flight controls and electronics are comparatively simple. Unlike the An-74, the Condor is not armed although aircraft operated by the military carry decoy systems.

Model Type:	An-124-500-C	Conventionally Powered Version
	An-124-500-U	Nuclear Powered Version

Vehicle Type: Heavy Transport
Crew: Six (Pilot, Co-Pilot, two Engineers, and two Cargo Masters)
Troops: 88 Troops / Passengers (Upper compartment)

M.D.C. by Location:

	Front Cargo Door:	350
	Rear Cargo Door:	350
	[1] Wings (2):	450 each
	[2] Elevators (2):	250 each
	[2] Rudder:	250
	Cockpit:	325
	[3] Engines (4):	250 each
	Landing Gear (28):	30 each
	[4] Main Body:	850

Notes:
[1] Destroying a wing will cause the plane to crash.
[2] Destruction of rudders or 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
[3] The destruction of one engine will reduce the transports top speed by one quarter and give the pilot a -2 penalty to dodge as well as giving a 5% penalty to piloting. The destruction of additional engines will give cumulative penalties. Destruction of all four engines will cause the aircraft to crash. Pilot may attempt a emergency landing or bomber 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.
Flying: Conventional: The An-124 can reach a top speed of 540.59 mph (870 kph / 469.8 knots). The aircraft does not have an afterburner and the aircrafts normal cruise speed is 497.1 mph (800 kph / 432.0 knots) but varies on situation. The An-124 has a maximum altitude of 39,370.1 feet (12,000 meters)
Nuclear: Designed for short take offs and landings. The An-124 can reach a top speed of 553.03 mph (890 kph / 480.56 knots). The aircraft does not have an afterburner and the aircrafts normal cruise speed is 497.1 mph (800 kph / 432.0 knots) but varies on situation. The An-124 has a maximum altitude of 45,931.8 feet (14,000 meters)
Maximum Effective Range: Conventional: 3479.7 miles (5,600 km) with normal payload. The aircraft has approximately 25% better range when the aircraft is non carrying any cargo. The An-124 cannot be refueled in the air
Nuclear: Effectively Unlimited but does overheat when operated for long periods of time. The An-124 engines will overheat after 18 hours of continuous operation when running at top speed and 36 hours when run at under 497.1 mph (800 kph / 432.0 knots)

Statistical Data:
Height: 68 feet 2 inches (20.78 meters)
Wingspan: 240 feet 5 inches (73.3 meters)
Length: 226 feet 3 inches (68.96 meters)
Weight: An-124-500-C (Conventional): 385,810 pounds (175,000 kg) empty and 903,900 pounds (410,000 kg) maximum takeoff weight. An-124-500-U (Nuclear): 462,970 pounds (220,000 kg) empty and 925,940 pounds (420,000 kg) maximum takeoff weight.
Power System: An-124-500-C (Conventional): Four Lotarev D-18 turbofans, 250 kilo-Newtons each, uses aviation fuel. An-124-500-U (Nuclear): Four Nuclear Fusion Turbines, Should have an average lifespan of 8 years.
Cargo: An-124-500-C (Conventional): 330,690 pounds (150,000 kilograms). An-124-500-U (Nuclear): 396,830 pounds (180,000 kilograms)
Black Market Cost: An-124-500-C (Conventional): 10 to 15 million credits, An-124-500-U (Nuclear): 25 to 40 million credits.

Weapon Systems (Military Versions only):

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.

[ Altarain TM, Bandito Arms TM, Brodkil TM, Chipwell Armaments TM, Coalition States TM, Cyber-Knight TM, Federation of Magic TM, Free Quebec TM, Golden Age Weaponsmiths TM, Horune TM, Iron Heart Armaments TM, Kankoran TM, Kittani TM, Kydian TM, Larsen’s Brigade TM, M.D.C. TM, Mechanoids TM, Mega-Damage TM, Megaversal Legion TM, Millennium Tree TM, Mutants in Orbit TM, Naruni Enterprises TM, Naut’Yll, New Navy TM, New Sovietskiy TM, NGR TM, Nog Heng TM, Northern Gun TM, Phase World TM, Psyscape TM, Rifter TM, SAMAS TM, S.D.C. TM, Shemarrian TM, Splugorth TM, Stormspire TM, Sunaj TM, Tolkeen TM, Triax TM, Wellington Industries TM, Wilk’s Laser Technologies TM, Xiticix TM, and Zaayr TM are trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]

[ Beyond the Supernatural®, Heroes Unlimited®, Nightbane®, Ninjas & Superspies®, Palladium Fantasy®, and Rifts® are registered trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]

Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

Return