OREANDA-NEWS. On 26 August 2009 was announced, that in the result on analysis of technical documentation prepared by ANTONOV ASTC, specialists of Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute and State Research Institute of Civil Aviation approved Conclusion on service life of AN-124-100 and its modifications.

On the basis of results of additional fatigue tests of the aircraft's aggregates, design and research works, registration of service lives consumption by each aircraft, analysis of the aircraft operation, the service life of the "Ruslan" was assigned for 50000 flight hours, 10000 flights and 45 years. These figures exceed service lives of American military transports C-17 and modernized C-5M of 30000-45000 flight hours.

The Conclusion became an additional argument for assumption of AN-124-100 serial production.

The document was handed over by Mikhail Gromov, Deputy Director of State Research Institute of Civil Aviation. At the ceremony of the Conclusion presentation he said: "I am sure, 50000 flight hours is not a limit for "Ruslan". This aircraft will have a great future".