Beriev A-40
{{Short description|Russian anti-submarine amphibious jet aircraft}}
{{Infobox aircraft
|name=A-40 Albatros (Be-42)
|image=Beriev A-40 Gelendzhik 2Sept2004.jpg
|caption=Beriev A-40 at Gelendzhik, 2004
|type=ASW amphibious aircraft
|manufacturer=
|designer=Beriev Aircraft Company
|first_flight=8 December 1986Although the aircraft first flew on 8 December 1986, the official first flight was conducted during April 1987. (See development section)
|introduction=
|retired=
|primary_user=Russian Naval Aviation
|more_users=
|produced=
|number_built=2 (A-40 and A-42 prototypes)
|unit cost=
|variants=
|developed_into=Beriev Be-200
}}
The Beriev A-40 Albatros ({{langx|ru|Бериева А-40 Альбатрос|translit=Albatros|translation=Albatross}}, NATO reporting name: Mermaid) is a Soviet/Russian jet-powered amphibious flying boat designed by the Beriev Aircraft Company for an anti-submarine warfare role. Intended as a replacement for the amphibious turboprop Beriev Be-12 and the land-based Ilyushin Il-38,Gordon, Sal'nikov and Zablotskiy 2006, p. 49. the project was suspended after only one prototype had been manufactured, with the second one 70% completed, due to the breakup of the Soviet Union.{{cite web|url=http://rusnavy.com/news/navy/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=10520|title=Russian naval aviation can lose hydroplanes – a general|website=rusnavy.com|date=14 October 2010|accessdate=19 June 2019}}Gordon, Sal'nikov and Zablotskiy 2006, p. 66. The project was later revived as the A-42 and an order has been placed by the Russian Navy, though as of 2023, no more has been said of this order, and no other customer has placed orders on the A-40; its successor design, the civilian Be-200, has been marketed more successful both domestically and in the international market.
Design
File:Be-42 rear view - Fairford 96.jpg at RAF Fairford]]
The A-40 is a jet-engined flying boat patrol bomber of all-metal construction with the engines located above the wing roots, atop each of the main landing gear nacelles at the rear of each wing root. The swept wings, set high on the fuselage, have a marked anhedral angle, with balance floats attached by short pylons directly under each wingtip.
Development
The maiden flight in 1986 was unplanned; during a high-speed taxi test, the airplane became 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.{{cite web|url= https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/a-42.htm |title=Beriev A-42|publisher=GlobalSecurity.org|accessdate=May 23, 2022}}
By 1990 two variants were planned, with a search and rescue amphibian being designated the A-42, and a military patrol version designated as the A-44. The A-42 and A-44 versions were combined in 1993, but work on amphibians came to a halt in that year with an A-42 prototype 80% completed.
In 2002, after renewed Russian Navy interest, the A-40 prototype was restored to airworthiness, and in 2006 the A-42 prototype was completed. The Defense Ministry signed an R&D agreement for $242 million rubles but pulled the plug in 2011.
On 3 September 2019, the Russian Navy announced an order for three A-42 aircraft, with an expectation that the aircraft would use two Progress D-27 propfans, manufactured by Motor Sich in Ukraine, as the powerplant. This variant would have an increased range of 9300 km.{{cite web|url= https://motorsich.com/ukr/products/aircraft/tv/d-27/ |title=D-27|publisher=Motor Sich|accessdate=June 15, 2023}} This version would be upgraded to expand its combat capabilities, including a new radar comprising a viewing sight, heat seekers, piloting and navigational complex to measure sea waves, and new communications equipment. An estimated service entry date was not provided.{{cite news|url=https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2019/september/7455-russia-to-resume-a-42-amphibious-aircraft-production.html|title=Russia to resume A-42 amphibious aircraft production|website=navyrecognition.com|date=3 September 2019|accessdate=17 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903221533/https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2019/september/7455-russia-to-resume-a-42-amphibious-aircraft-production.html|archive-date=3 September 2019|url-status=live}} Regardless, the Motor Sich engine manufacturing plant in Zaporozhie was destroyed by Russian forces in late May 2022 following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{cite web|url= https://www.newsweek.com/russia-says-it-destroyed-ukrainian-military-engine-plant-1710612 |title=Russia Says It Destroyed Ukrainian Military Engine Plant|date=26 May 2022 |publisher=Newsweek, May 26, 2022|accessdate=September 19, 2022}}
Operational history
Between 1989 and 1998, the Beriev A-40 set 140 world records.Gordon, Sal'nikov and Zablotskiy 2006, pp. 63–66.
Variants
;A-40: Initial ASW amphibian. 1 prototype built (second is 70% completed).
;A-40M :Projected upgrade to the initial version, utilising a new search and targeting system.Gordon, Sal'nikov & Zablotskiy 2006, pp. 66–67.
;A-40P :Initially a projected aerial firefighting version, able to scoop 25 tonnes (28 tons) of water and transport a team of firefighters.Gordon, Sal'nikov and Zablotskiy 2006, p. 69. Later the same designation was used for a projected maritime patrol aircraft in direct competition with the Tupolev Tu-204P.Gordon, Sal'nikov & Zablotskiy 2006, p. 67.
;A-40PM/Be-40P: A projected civil version developed in 1994. Intended to carry 105 passengers, an export version with CFM engines was also offered. These studies led to the development of the Beriev Be-200.Gordon, Sal'nikov and Zablotskiy 2006, p. 70.
;Be-40PT: A projected cargo/passenger version designed to carry 70 passengers, 10 tonnes (11 tons) of cargo or 37 passengers and up to 6.5 tonnes of cargo.
;A-42/Be-42: A search and rescue version designed to replace the Beriev Be-12PS, in response to the K-278 disaster. Construction of a prototype began, but was suspended in 1993. Studies are currently{{when|date=November 2016}} being made of a joint A-42/44 multi-role version, fitted with Progress D-27 propfans.Gordon, Sal'nikov and Zablotskiy 2006, pp. 70–73.{{Needsupdate|date=December 2023}}
;A-44: Maritime patrol version designed in tandem with the A-42 before the projects were merged into a multi-role aircraft in 1993.
;A-42PE: Projected maritime patrol and SAR version intended for export. Powered by two Progress D-27 propfans.Gordon, Sal'nikov & Zablotskiy 2006, pp. 73–74.
Specifications (A-40)
{{Aircraft specs
| ref=Beriev's Jet Flying Boats Gordon, Sal'nikov and Zablotskiy 2006, pp. 49, 58, 66, 67.
|prime units?=met
|crew=8
|length m=43.84
|length note=
|span m=41.62
|span note=
|height m=11
|height note=
|wing area sqm=200
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=86000
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
|eng1 number=2
|eng1 name=Soloviev D-30KPV
|eng1 type=turbofan engines
|eng1 kw=
|eng1 hp=
|eng1 shp=
|eng1 kn=117.7
|eng2 number=2
|eng2 name=Rybinsk RD-36-35
|eng2 type=turbojet engines
|eng2 kw=
|eng2 hp=
|eng2 shp=
|eng2 kn=23
|eng2 note=take-off boosters
|max speed kmh=800
|max speed note=
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed kmh=
|minimum control speed note=
|range km=4100
|range note=Lambert 1993, pp. 256–257.
|combat range km=
|combat range note=
|ferry range km=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=
|ceiling m=9700
|g limits=
|roll rate=
|climb rate ms=30
|time to altitude=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|thrust/weight=
|more performance=
- Take-off run on land: {{cvt|1000|m}}
- Take-off run on water: {{cvt|2000|m}}
- Landing distance (ground): {{cvt|700|m}}
- Landing distance (water): {{cvt|900|m}}
| 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
|avionics=
}}
See also
{{aircontent
| related=
| similar aircraft=
| lists=
| see also=
}}
References
{{reflist}}
=Bibliography=
{{commons category|Beriev A-40}}
{{Refbegin}}
- Yefim Gordon, Andrey Sal'nikov and Aleksandr Zabotskiy (2006) Beriev's Jet Flying Boats. Hinckley, UK: Midland Publishing. {{ISBN|1-85780-236-5}}
- {{cite book|last=Lambert|first=Mark|title=Jane's All The Worlds Aircraft 1993–94|publisher=Janes's Data Division|location=Coudsdon, UK|year=1993|isbn=0-7106-1066-1}}
- {{cite book|title=Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide|last=Rendall|first=David|pages=[https://archive.org/details/janesaircraftrec0000rend/page/505 505]|year=1995|isbn=0-00-470980-2|publisher=HarperCollinsPublishers|location=Glasgow, UK|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/janesaircraftrec0000rend/page/505}}
{{Refend}}
{{Beriev aircraft}}
{{USAF/DoD reporting names}}
Category:Jet seaplanes and flying boats
Category:Engine-over-wing aircraft
Category:Aircraft first flown in 1986