Cargo planes are made to carry large loads and have a long cruising range. Some of the world's largest cargo planes can carry multiple helicopters, military vehicles, and even space shuttles.
The largest cargo planes were built during the cold war and some of them are still in service. The following are the largest cargo planes in the world:
1. Antonov An-225 Mriya
The Antonov An-225 Mriya was a strategic airlift cargo aircraft designed by the Antonov Design Bureau of the Ukrainian SSR during the 1980s. The Antonov An-225 is the only aircraft in the world powered by six turbofan engines and is the heaviest aircraft ever built, with a maximum take-off weight of 640 tonnes.
The Antonov An-225 also has the largest wingspan of any aircraft in operational service. The Antonov An-225 Mriya holds the world record for the largest single cargo load at 418,834 pounds as well as the record for total airlifted payload of 559,577 pounds or 280 tons. Unfortunately, this 84 meter long aircraft was destroyed and became a casualty when the Russia-Ukraine war broke out.
2. Antonov An-124 Kondor
The Antonov An-124 Kondor is the sibling of the Antonov An-225 Mriya and was produced in a total of 60 units. Built in the 1970s, the Antonov An-124 Kondor is 69.1 meters long and has a maximum capacity of 150,000 kg.
The Antonov An-124 Kondor is designed for long-distance and airborne delivery of large-sized heavy cargo, including military machinery, equipment and troops. This cargo plane is capable of carrying hydraulic turbines, the fuselage of a Tu-204 passenger carrier, a train locomotive and a 25 meter cruise ship.
3. Boeing 747-8 Freighter
The Boeing 747-8 is a wide-body aircraft developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes, the largest variant of the 747. This cargo aircraft has a length of 76.3 meters and a maximum capacity: 132,600 kg.
The Boeing 747-8F Freighter has a cargo space with a volume of 853 m3 which can accommodate a maximum revenue payload of 137 tons. Powered by four GEnx-2B67 engines, it achieves a maximum range of 7,630 km.
4. Lockheed Galaxy C-5
The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is the largest aircraft routinely operated by the US military with a maximum payload capacity of 127,459 kg, capable of carrying 5 helicopters. This 75.31 meter long aircraft can carry large cargo over intercontinental distances and can take off and land on relatively short runways.
The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, with a cargo load of 127,460 kilograms, can fly 2,150 nautical miles, unload, and fly to a second base 500 nautical miles from its original destination, on a single refueling. The nose and stern doors open, allowing ground crew to load and unload cargo simultaneously from both ends, reducing cargo transfer times.
5. Airbus Beluga XL Airbus
BelugaXL is a large transport aircraft based on the Airbus A330-200 Freighter aircraft. Created by Airbus to replace the original Airbus Beluga with various large aircraft components such as wings.
The Airbus BelugaXL, which has a length of 63.1 meters, can carry two A350 XWB wings in comparison, in contrast to the Beluga ST which can only carry one wing. With a maximum payload of 51 tonnes, the BelugaXL has a range of 4,000 km.
