| VM-T Atlant | |
|---|---|
 VM-T with the 3GT payload container at theZhukovsky Air Show in 2005 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Outsize cargotransport |
| Manufacturer | Myasishchev |
| Designer | |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary users | Soviet Air Force |
| Number built | 2 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | January1982 |
| First flight | 29 April 1981 |
| Retired | 1989 |
| Developed from | Myasishchev M-4 |
TheMyasishchev VM-TAtlant (Russian:Мясищев ВМ-Т «Атлант» ("Atlas"), with the "VM-T" ("BM-T") standing forVladimir Myasishchev – Transport) was a variant ofMyasishchev'sM-4Molot bomber (the "3M"), re-purposed as astrategic-airliftairplane. The VM-T was modified to carryrocket boosters and theSovietspace shuttles of theBuran program. It is also known as the3M-T.
The design was conceived in 1978 when Myasishchev was asked to solve the problem of transporting rockets and other large space vehicles to theBaikonur Cosmodrome. Engineers used an old 3M (a modified M-4 bomber) and replaced theempennage withdihedrallhorizontal stabilizers having large, rectangular end-platetailfins to accommodate payloads measuring as large as twice the diameter of the aircraft'sfuselage. A large, aerodynamically optimized cargo container, placed on top of the aircraft, would contain the freight. In addition, a new control system was added to the plane to compensate for the added weight.
TheAtlant first flew in 1981 and made its first flight with cargo in January 1982.[1] Its main task was to ferryEnergia rocket boosters from their development plant to the Baikonur Cosmodrome. On several occasions, the then-incomplete Soviet space shuttleBuran was piggybacked to the Cosmodrome as well.[1]
TwoAtlants were built. They were replaced in 1989 byAntonov'sAn-225Mriya. OneAtlant (RF-01502) is kept at theZhukovsky International Airport inRussia owned byTsAGI andGromov Flight Research Institute, the other one (RA-01402) atDyagilevo (air base) inRyazan.
0GT was the Buran spaceplane without tailplane and equipment, 1GT was the hydrogen tank of the Energia rocket, 2GT was the engine frame and front aerodynamic cover of Energia, and 3GT was the oxygen tank of the Energia. All configurations were equipped with aerodynamic covers to decrease the drag.[2]
Data from Jane's aircraft recognition guide 1996,[3] VM-T Atlant's mains characteristics,[4]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
