Antonov Airlines has transported five S-70i Black Hawk helicopters on a single AN-124-100 flight from Rzeszów, Poland, to Angeles in the Philippines.

The helicopters — the second delivery of such models to the country  — each measured 17.52 meters in length, 3.2 meters in width, 3.9 meters in height. The cargo weighed 35 tonnes in total at 5.6 tonnes each. 

“Although the total payload in terms of weight was considerably light for our aircraft – loading 5 Helicopters safely and transporting them without damage takes considerable collaboration. We have been working closely with both Sikorsky as well as their Logistics Supplier Helicopter International Shipping Services (HISS) for the past several months to insure that all current and future Program requirements are met,” said Amnon Ehrlich Director North America – Aerospace, Government and Defence Programs. 

The first transport under the agreement was completed in November 2020 and was also for five S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, which were delivered to Clark Air Base, north of the Philippine capital, Manila. 

Antonov Airlines operates seven AN-124-100 including two AN-124-100M-150 with up to 150 tonnes payload, the largest turboprop-powered aircraft AN-22 (60-tonne payload), as well as the 250-tonne payload AN-225 “Mriya”, the largest cargo aircraft in the world.