Immediately recognizable because of its raised cockpit, the Antonov An-30 'Clank' was a specialized aerial survey and cartography variant of the venerable An-24. The raised cockpit permits more room for a navigational compartment in the new glazed nose while the main cabin interior is mostly darkened to allow for storage of film. Aside from a crew of 5, there are two specialized surveyors who operate the onboard equipment which can be cameras and magnetometers for photographic and other survey missions. The An-30 also retains the cargo handling equipment of the An-24 which means it can be used in the transport role if needed as well as for weather control. Main users of the An-30 were Aeroflot as well as the Bulgarian and Romanian air forces, a number remain in service today. In 1997, Russian An-30s flew surveillance missions over United States territory in according to the Open Skies treaty.

First flown sometime in 1974 there is only one production variant, the An-30 'Clank' which in itself was produced in very modest numbers given its specialized nature. It is one of the only dedicated cartographical aircraft ever made by any country. A numer were also used for weather control missions and known as the An-30M.