Currently, the Antonov An-225 Mriya is being produced with Progress D-18T engines, rated at 229 kN each. However, I've looked at the A340 and I love its Trent 500 engines. But the Trent 556, rated at 249-270 kN, is only used on the A340, and the A340 is not being made anymore. Would it be possible to re-engine a future An-225 to use six Trent 500 engines?
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4$\begingroup$ I'm sure it would be possible, however it would be a major undertaking since all of the wiring and cockpit systems have to be changed to a completely different manufacturer. So I think the answer is "is it possible: yes", "is it practicable/economical: no". $\endgroup$– Ron BeyerDec 20, 2017 at 20:20
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$\begingroup$ It depends on what comes out of the engine and what goes into it in terms of interfaces. It would be a major effort though. $\endgroup$– user7241Dec 20, 2017 at 20:25
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10$\begingroup$ This is like "Can a Ford F150 use Chevy V8?" $\endgroup$– user3528438Dec 20, 2017 at 20:31
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1$\begingroup$ Rather, "practicable/economical = probably, but not likely" $\endgroup$– El EctricDec 21, 2017 at 2:52
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1$\begingroup$ Currently, the Antonov An-225 Mriya is NOT being produced. That's the answer :) But if one would think of doing an upgrade on this scale, it would probably make more sense to have 4 more powerful engines, which are available these days. $\endgroup$– ZeusDec 21, 2017 at 6:48
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There have been various proposals to use Western engines on new versions of the An-124:
- An-124-200: Proposed version with General Electric CF6-80C2 engines, each rated at 59,200 lbf (263 kN)
- An-124-210: Joint proposal with Air Foyle to meet UK's Short Term Strategic Airlifter (STSA) requirement, with Rolls-Royce RB211-524H-T engines, each rated 60,600 lbf (264 kN) and Honeywell avionics—STSA competition abandoned in August 1999, reinstated, and won by the Boeing C-17A.
Antonov fell victim to the fall of the Soviet Union: its HQ is in independent Ukraine which doesn't have the best relations with Moscow, so Antonov's sales cratered and left them with no development funds for new versions of the An-124. Western-engined versions were proposed to generate some sales in the West, but potential buyers were scared off by having to buy a paper project (and having to pay for development of the new version).
Along with the modest improvements to the An-124 being considered for new production of the aircraft, the Antonov organization has also investigating a more ambitious cargolifter, an improved hybrid of the An-124 and An-225 called the "An-124-300". It would feature the fuselage of the An-124 and the extended wing of the An-225, kitted up with modern avionics and engines. Since more powerful engines are now available, only four would be needed instead of six. The cargo floor would be extended, and a palletized loading system would be installed. It would have a maximum range of 11,500 kilometers (7,145 miles) with a 100-tonne (110-ton) cargo. Development costs were cited as less than a billion USD.
Given that the relationship between Ukraine and Russia is antagonistic, the Antonov organization is very interested in "Westernizing" the An-124 and any follow-ons -- using Western avionics and systems at the very least, and possibly re-engining the aircraft with Western turbofans.
