The Antonov An-28 is a twin-engined light turboprop transport aircraft, developed from the Antonov An-14M.
It was the winner of a competition against the Beriev Be-30, for use by Aeroflot as a short-range airliner.
It first flew in 1969.
A total of 191 were built and 16 remain in airline service as at August 2015.
After a short pre-production series built by Antonov, it was licence-built in Poland by PZL-Mielec.
In 1993, PZL-Mielec developed its own improved variant, the PZL M28 Skytruck.
Production was transferred to PZL-Mielec in 1978
The An-28 is similar to the An-14 in many aspects, including its wing structure and twin rudders, but features an expanded fuselage and turboprop engines, in place of the An-14’s piston engines.
The An-28 first flew as a modified An-14 in 1969.
The next preproduction model did not fly until 1975.
In passenger carrying configuration, accommodation was provided for up to 15 people, in addition to the two-man crew.
Variants
An-14A
The original Antonov designation for an enlarged, twin-turboprop version of the An-14.
An-14M Prototype
An-28 Twin-engined short-range utility transport aircraft, three built.
An-28 RM Bryza 1RM
Search and rescue, air ambulance aircraft.
An-28 TD Bryza 1TD
Transport version
An-28PT
Variant made in Poland with Pratt & Whitney PT6 engines first flown 22 July 1993.
PZL An-28
Original variant, built under Antonov licence, with PZL-10S (licensed TV-10B) engines.
PZL M28 Skytruck
Development variant with redesigned fuselage and wings, new Pratt & Whitney Canada engines, new (Western) avionics, 5-blade rotors, and some other minor changes.
PZL M28B Bryza
Militarized variants used by Polish Air Force and Polish Navy, similar to Skytruck, but with PZL-10S engines.
Uses partially retracting landing gear to avoid interfering with its radar.
PZL M28+ Skytruck Plus
Prototype of new lengthened variant with more internal space, not in production.
C-145A
Variant flown by USAF Special Operations Warfare Centre.
Similar to Skytruck, but with Pratt and Whitney PT6A-65B Turboprops.
The USAF has started retiring the aircraft.
By June 2015 eleven out of 16 aircraft were stored.
MC-145B Wily Coyote
In May 2021, the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) awarded a contract to Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) to demonstrate the MC-145B as part of the Armed Overwatch program, which is seeking to acquire a new manned light attack aircraft to support U.S. special operations forces in permissive environments.
