India (Hindustan Aeronautics) and Russia (IAPO) have agreed to jointly develop a new Multirole Transport Aircraft to replace the An-32 Cline. This new aircraft will also be offered for export, and both countries will have production lines. This program has been talked about many times, and every year a different model of the aircraft is shown to the press. The current incarnation is a high-winged aircraft with two 20,000-pound turbofans and a T-tail. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 55,000kg, including 13,500kg of fuel and 18,800kg of cargo. It will be 33m long with a wingspan of 30m. Maximum speed will be 870km/hr; parachute drops through the rear cargo ramp will be done at 250km/hour. Range is 2,500km carrying 18,800kg of cargo, but with a light load (4,500kg) it could reach 6,000km. The cargo cabin is to be 3.1m wide, 3m high, and 13.85m long. The military version will have a glass cockpit with fly-by-wire technology. Service life will be 20,000 flight hours.--Stephen V Cole