Antonov - An 990

Features "water-scooping" capabilities to refill its tanks while skimming across lakes or oceans. Theoretical Specifications

The actual Ukrainian manufacturer Antonov is famous for building some of the largest real planes in history. However, the An-990 is physically impossible to construct or fly with current modern technology and is strictly intended for simulator amusement.

For context, the 870-foot wingspan is roughly that of the actual, record-holding Antonov An-225 Mriya (which has a 290-foot wingspan). Design and Performance Highlights

In programs like X-Plane 11, flying the Antonov An-990 is less about standard navigation and more about surviving an extreme physics challenge. 1. Extreme Scale Problems antonov an 990

The represents one of the most intriguing "what-ifs" in the world of strategic airlift. While the name often surfaces in aviation forums and speculative defense blogs, it is not a flight-ready aircraft sitting in a hangar. Instead, the An-990 is a conceptual evolution—a "paper plane" designed to push the boundaries of what the legendary Antonov Design Bureau could achieve by building upon the foundations of the An-124 Ruslan and the An-225 Mriya.

Intelligence reports at the time suggested that the United States was exploring next-generation propulsion for transport aircraft. Not wanting to be left behind, the Soviet government initiated a black project designated "Izdeliye 990" (Item 990).

The An-990 series for X-Plane includes four specialized versions: For context, the 870-foot wingspan is roughly that

In the real world, the Antonov Design Bureau earned a legendary reputation for building world-record cargo planes, including the iconic Antonov An-225 Mriya . Following the tragic real-world destruction of the Mriya, flight simulation modders and aviation enthusiasts began asking a fascinating question: How huge can planes actually get?

In the real world, engineering limitations, runway lengths, and engine physics place a strict ceiling on how large an airplane can safely get. However, in flight simulation, creators are free to dream up solutions to catastrophic global problems. The Antonov An-990 was primarily conceptualized as an extreme, planetary-scale .

The is not a real-world aircraft, but a prominent fictional "ultra-heavy" aircraft design popularized within flight simulation communities, specifically X-Plane 11 . Extreme Scale Problems The represents one of the

Unlike legitimate historical heavy-lifters built by the Kyiv-based Antonov Design Bureau—such as the legendary Antonov An-225 Mriya or the Antonov An-124 Ruslan —the An-990 was never drafted on a real-world engineer’s desk. Instead, modders conceptualized it as the ultimate global "Super Air Tanker". Its lore-based mission profile is to combat massive, continent-spanning wildfires across regions like Canada and Australia by carrying millions of liters of water or fire retardant in a single pass. Mind-Boggling Specifications (Simulated vs. Real)

For the average person, flying a Boeing 737 or an Airbus A320 in a simulator is a goal. But the An-990 offers something different: anarchy. It is not about following checklists or performing a perfect ILS approach. It is about brute force, spectacle, and the sheer joy of piloting something that has no right to be in the air.

The specifications in this table are based on community-created content for the X-Plane flight simulator.