NPO Molniya (lightning) (Russian: Научно-производственное объединение «Молния») is a Russian scientific and production enterprise, founded on February 26, 1976. Currently part of Rostec.
Space systems At present, NPO Molniya is working on reusable launch systems for space applications.
Aircraft
The NPO Molniya Molniya-1 is a three surface design with single pusher propeller and twin tail booms. In the late 1990s, the company proposed a number of larger types based on the three surface configuration.
Molniya 400 - a proposed jet cargo aircraft or airliner with a high-mounted wing and powered by two PS-90A turbofans. Freighter version would have had a rear fuselage ramp. Molniya-1000 Heracles - a proposed super heavy freighter to replace the VM-T Atlant and An-225 as a space load carrier. Unusual twin open fuselage design with the shuttle or other payload carried between the fuselages. A high mounted wing with six turbofan engines was proposed, it would have been capable of carrying a 450,000kg load. Displayed as model at the 2003 Paris Air Show
Ownership Since September 2018 the controlling (60%) stake belongs to the Kalashnikov Concern.
Products
Aircraft NPO Molniya Molniya-1
Manned Spacecraft Buran spacecraft
See also Gleb Lozino-Lozinskiy, lead developer of Buran, General Director of NPO Molniya
References
External links Official website (in Russian) or (in English) Official website (in Russian) NPO Molniya at Buran.ru (in English).