The world’s largest plane, the Antonov An-225 Mriya, recently carried a shipment of medical supplies to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic in India. The plane, which has a wingspan as long as a football field and can carry over 600 tons of cargo, landed in Delhi on May 9th.
The Antonov An-225 Mriya was originally designed to carry the Soviet Union’s Buran space shuttle. It has six engines and a crew of over 20 people. The plane is so big that it needs a runway of at least 3 kilometers to take off and land.
The medical supplies on this flight included oxygen concentrators and other much-needed equipment to help India deal with the surge in COVID-19 cases. The country has been facing a severe shortage of medical supplies and oxygen due to the overwhelming number of cases.
The An-225 is operated by Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines and is a rare sight in the aviation world. It is used for transporting oversized cargo, such as industrial machinery and aerospace components, around the world.
The delivery of these medical supplies is a significant gesture of international support for India during this challenging time. The Antonov An-225 Mriya’s ability to carry large amounts of cargo quickly and efficiently has made it a crucial asset in providing aid to countries in need.
Vocabulary List:
- Cargo /ˈkɑːr.ɡoʊ/ (noun): Goods carried on a ship aircraft or motor vehicle.
- Supplies /səˈplaɪz/ (noun): Essential items needed for a particular purpose.
- Transporting /trænˈspɔːrtɪŋ/ (verb): The action of moving goods or people from one place to another.
- Oversized /ˈoʊvərsaɪzd/ (adjective): Larger than the usual size.
- Efficiently /ɪˈfɪʃəntli/ (adverb): In a way that achieves maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort.
- Surge /sɜːrdʒ/ (noun): A sudden powerful forward or upward movement.
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