NPO Molniya M-1000 / Molniya-1000 Gerakl (Heracles)

[redstar72]

The M-90 resembles another proposed Russian leavy lifter, the M-1000 Gerakl (Hercules) designed by Gleb Lozino-Lozinskiy at NPO Molniya in 1995-96. The Gerakl was also twin-fuselage aircraft, but with six extra-powerful turbofans (400 kN each). It was similar to An-225 Mriya in dimensions, but could carry 1.5x larger payload - up to 450 tons. For example, it could be a passenger module for 1200 seats, or some bulky cargo with maximum dimensions 60 x 11 x 9.4 m. Also the Gerakl could be used for launching some space systems such as MAKS-OS.

Wingspan - 90.4 m
Length - 73.4 m
Height - 17.5 m
Crew - 4
Maximum takeoff weight - 900 000 kg
Maximum payload - 450 000 kg
Maximum fuel capacity - 358 tons
Cruise speed - 840 km/h
Flight range: 8300 to 11 400 km (with maximum fuel), 2300 to 3100 km (with maximum payload), 18 000 km (ferry range)
Takeoff run - 2350 m
Landing run - 1000 m

Source: http://www.testpilot.ru/russia/molniya/1000/geracl.htm

 

[richard]

A leaflet I got at the "le Bourget " 2003

 

[Stargazer]

Why do they call this a triplane? Since when does the tailplan count as a third wing? Also I think the term "triplane" applies to designs with superimposed wings, not sesquiplane (offset) second wing...

 

[richard]

Maybe because the 3 "wings" were flying surfaces ,(surfaces portantes in french )

 

[archipeppe]

Maybe because the 3 "wings" were flying surfaces ,(surfaces portantes in french )

Is the same principle of the Piaggio P-180 "Avanti" the Italian turboprop commuter.

 

[Avimimus]

Canard equiped Sukhoi's have also been refered to as "triplanes". It seems to be a concept that has varying definitions in different countries.

 

[Madurai]

"Tandem Triplane" became part of Sukhoi's marketing lexicon on or about the development of the Su-27K. It seems to be spreading.

 

[AeroFranz]

Personally I like the "three lifting surfaces" term. This is often used in technical literature.
Otherwise, using the same rationale, a biplane and a tandem wing are biplanes. Is a Eurofighter a biplane?

 

[redstar72]

Yes, here in Russia the aircrafts with both classic horisontal tail and canards are sometimes called "triplanes", "modern triplanes" or "tandem triplanes". I think it's possible because classic triplane configuration isn't used now for aircraft design, so it's hard to confuse.

 

[flateric]

from dusty partitions of my HDD

 

[Triton]

Model of Molniya-1000 Heracles from USSR-Russian Aviation & Space Collectibles (Alex Panchenko).

Description:

Gerakl (Heracles) project of Molniya for giant triplane freighter, hanging payload or pod under arched centreline between twin slim fuselages carrying lifting foreplane and tail.Designer of aircraft Lozino-Lozinskiy mentioned that On same engines we could carry 1.5 x payload of An-225. Original aircraft dimensions-Span 295 ft (90.4 m), length over 240 ft (73.4 m). This custom made resin model has wing span 15 inches.

Source:
http://www.ussr-airspace.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=28_39_38_108&products_id=1654

 

[Triton]

Model of Molniya M-1000 Gerakl (Heracles).

Sources:
http://www.nasledie-rus.ru/podshivka/pics/8109-pictures.php?picture=810909
http://www.liveinternet.ru/users/m007kuzya/post52431231/

 

[Triton]

I am confused, is the M-1000 a Myasischev project or a Molniya project? Or begin at Myasischev and then go to Molniya?

 

[igor-mich]

In 1974, after the appointment of VP Glushko for the post of Chief Designer of NPO Energy in the Soviet Union started work on the heavy transport space system with a reusable orbital vehicle. Everyone understands that the winged spaceship is impossible without Minaviaproma only forces and means Minobschemasha, and among the pilots to do so can only G.E.Lozino-Lozinski, with its unique experience of the helix.
To create a glider orbiter (OK) "Buran" by the Minister PV EI Dementieva on the basis of three CB (CB "Lightning" CB "Petrel" and EMZ headed Myasischev) in 1976 was established a specialized company - Scientific-Production Association "Molniya", which became the lead on the development of airframe OK "Buran". Established NGO headed G.E.Lozino-Lozinski - Managing Director and General Designer.
Despite the offer of "Lightning" to apply the scheme of the orbital plane "spiral" in the "Buran", head developer of NPO Energia insisted on using the layout, close to the American shuttle. Nevertheless, the experience of working on "Spiral" significantly facilitate and accelerate the creation Burana. In domestic practice, rocket and space technology had no analogues in the complexity of the ship equal storm: a member of the JC over 600 units of the installation of onboard equipment, skompleksirovannyh in more than 50 on-board systems, combined into a single airborne, over 1500 pipes, more than 2500 assemblies ( harnesses) cable network, comprising about 15000 electrical connectors. The main result of intensive multi-year effort is a triumph dvuhvitkovy unmanned flight Burana with automatic landing November 15, 1988.
As now designed multi-purpose light aircraft Stork-2 and Lightning, a multi-purpose aerospace system MAKS etc. Developed under the guidance of Gleb Yevgen'yevich family aircraft triplanov (on six-airplane-taxi Lightning-1 to the super triplane Hercules carrying up to 500 m) is the greatest constructional achievements in aviation and aerospace technology.

 

[Stargazer]

M-1000 never was MDB project.

Yes, it was a Molniya project, but wasn't Molniya created on the remains of the Myasishchev design bureau, anyway?

 

[ucon]

Not of course, dear Stardazer2006!

 

[Archibald]

How do you say "stratolaunch" in russian ?

 

[Stargazer]

How do you say "stratolaunch" in russian ?

Except this was designed about 20 years BEFORE the Stratolaunch Roc!

A few more pics of the "Heracles", actually called Gerakl in Russian:

 

[Spook]

Model of Molniya-1000 at 1994 Farnborough International Airshow.

(c) Paul Theobald.

 

[Cy-27]

I have been reviewing some of my old folders of company brochures. I came across this two-page paper handout for the Molniya Heracles from a 1990s Farnborough Show which I hope is of some interest.

 

[Archibald]

Stratolaunchev

 

[Sabrejet]

You can certainly see where Stratolaunch got their idea. Clearly very little new under the sun.

 

[publiusr]

I seem to remember this also had a dedicated spaceplane…I seem to remember it pictured with something else back in the 90’s…..

 

[TheKutKu]

Higher resolution of a picture above, scanned by galopujacy_jez

 

[Pzprs]

View attachment 728227
Higher resolution of a picture above, scanned by galopujacy_jez

From which book or periodical was this scanned?

 

[galopujacy_jez]

From which book or periodical was this scanned?

Lozino-Lozinsky G.E., A.G. Bratukhin (Eds.), "Aerospace Systems" (Авиационно-космические системы), Moscow, Publishing House of Moscow Aviation Institute (1997)