Antonov An-30

Twin Turboprop

The Antonov An-30 is a specialized aerial survey and cartographic reconnaissance aircraft developed in the Soviet Union during the early 1970s, derived from the An-24 twin-turboprop transport. What distinguishes the An-30 from its transport sibling is a glazed nose section housing a navigator-photographer station, multiple camera ports in the fuselage floor, and a distinctive raised cockpit to provide unobstructed downward visibility for precision mapping missions. Powered by two Ivchenko AI-24VT turboprops producing 2,820 shaft horsepower each, the type was purpose-built for photogrammetric surveys, geological reconnaissance, and environmental monitoring across the vast Soviet territories. The An-30 became the standard aerial survey platform for Aeroflot's special-purpose divisions and was exported to several Eastern Bloc and developing nations for civilian mapping work. Its operational ceiling of approximately 27,000 feet and endurance of over six hours made it well-suited for systematic grid surveys at medium altitudes. Though production ended in the 1980s with fewer than 130 built, the type remained in limited service with government survey agencies and research institutes into the 21st century, particularly in Russia, China, and several former Soviet republics. The An-30 also gained a unique role in international arms control verification, serving as an observation platform under the Treaty on Open Skies, which allowed unarmed reconnaissance flights over signatory nations' territories. SkyMeter has tracked 1 flights across 1 airframes and 1 operators, with distinct routes observed.