When the “Energia–Buran” program was launched in the USSR in 1976, a practical question arose: How c

When the “Energia–Buran” program was launched in the USSR in 1976, a practical question arose: How could the enormous components of the launch vehicle and the orbital spacecraft itself be transported to Baikonur if it was physically impossible to do so by ground transport?

The solution was found “right at hand”: they took the 3M strategic bomber, which had been part of the country’s nuclear deterrent for three decades, as the basis and converted it into a carrier aircraft. The project was designated 3M-T (later VM-T “Atlant”). To accommodate payloads on the fuselage that often exceeded its own dimensions, the tail section was extended by 7 meters, a fundamentally new twin-tail configuration was designed, and the airframe and landing gear were reinforced.

The “Atlant” made its first flight on April 29, 1981. A total of three units were built (one for static testing), and five flight configurations were developed for different types of payloads — ranging from the “Energia” rocket’s fuel tanks to the “Buran” itself. The maximum payload capacity on the external pylon did not exceed 50 metric tons, which is why some of the equipment and the vertical stabilizer were removed from the “Buran” before transport.

Conceived as a temporary solution until the arrival of the An-225 “Mriya,” the “Atlant” ultimately carried out the bulk of the work: the two aircraft made more than 150 flights, transporting all components of the “Energia–Buran” complex to the spaceport. The “Mriya,” which was brought to operational readiness later, more often transported the completed “Buran” around the world, showcasing it at air shows.

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