Beriev A-40 Albatros :: Nauka ~ Tehnika ~ Military

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The Beriev A-40 Al'batros ("Albatross", NATO reporting name: Mermaid) was a jet-engined amphibious flying boat designed by the Beriev Aircraft Company for the anti-submarine warfare role. Intended as a replacement for the Beriev Be-12 amphibian and the land-based Ilyushin Il-38[2], the project was suspended after only two prototypes had been manufactured, due to the break up of the Soviet Union. Recent reports suggest the project has been revived and that an order has been placed by the Russian Navy.

Development

The maiden flight was unplanned; during a high-speed taxi test, the airplane become airborne and ran out of runway, with the crew being forced to continue the takeoff. The subsequent flight and landing went without further incident, but the test crew were downgraded from their duties afterwards despite having saved the aircraft.
On 05 September 2008 the deputy commander of Russian Naval Aviation, Maj.Gen. Nikolai Kuklev, announced that the A-42 is to be adopted as a main SAR and antisubmarine aircraft of the Russian Navy, and a provisional contract for 4 SAR-outfitted aircraft has been awarded to the company, with deliveries to start in 2010. All four aircraft are expected to be in service by 2013. A large contract for hundreds of recon and ASW variants to replace the aging fleet of Be-12 and Il-38 aircraft is under consideration.

Design

The A-40 was a jet-engined flying boat patrol bomber of all-metal construction with the engines located above the wing roots. The swept wings had a marked anhedral angle, with balanced floats attached by short pylons on the very wingtips.

Operational history

Between 1989 and 1998 the Beriev A-40 set an incredible 140 world records.

Data from Beriev's Jet Flying Boats:
General characteristics
Crew: 8
Length: 43.84 m (143 ft 10in)
Wingspan: 41.62 m (136 ft 6 in)
Height: 11 m (36 ft 1 in)
Wing area: 200 sq m (2,153 sq ft)
Max takeoff weight: 86,000 kg (189,630 lb)
Powerplant: 2× Soloviev D-30KPV turbofans, 117.7 kN (26,455 lbf) each
Takeoff boosters: 2x Kolesov RD36-35 turbojets, 23 kN (5,180 lbf) each

Performance
Maximum speed: 800 km/h (497 mph)
Range: 4,100 km (2,212 nm)
Takeoff distance (Land): 1,000 m (3,280 ft)
Takeoff distance (Water): 2,000 m (6,560 ft)
Landing distance (Land): 700 m (2,300 ft)
Landing distance (Water): 900 m (2,950 ft)
Maximum wave height: 2 m (6.5 ft)

Armament
Projected Armament:
(A-40P ASW Aircraft, internal bomb bay)
Sonobuoys, depth charges, mines, plus;
3 Orlan (Sea Eagle) torpedoes, or
6 Korshun (Kite) guided missiles
(A-40P ASW Aircraft, underwing pylons)
Kh-35 Anti-ship missiles