Beriev A-40

Infobox Aircraft
name=A-40 Al'batros


caption=
type=ASW amphibian
manufacturer=Beriev
designer=
first flight=8 December 1986 ["Although the aircraft first flew on 8th December 1986, the official first flight was conducted during April 1987. (See development section)"]
introduced=
retired=
status=in development
primary user=
more users=
produced=
number built=2 prototypes
unit cost=
variants with their own articles=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-38Gordon, Sal'nikov and Zablotskiy 2006, p. 49.] , the project was suspended after only two prototypes had been manufactured, due to the break up of the Soviet Union.Gordon, Sal'nikov and Zablotskiy 2006, p. 66.] 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. [RIA Novosti news agency - [http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080905/116569962.html Russian Navy to receive 4 new amphibious planes by 2013] ]

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. [Gordon, Sal'nikov and Zablotskiy 2006, pp. 63-66.]

Variants

A-40:Initial ASW amphibian. 2 prototypes built.

A-40M:Projected upgrade to the initial version, utilising a new search and targeting system.Gordon, Sal'nikov and Zablotskiy 2006, pp. 66-67.]

A-40P:Initially a projected aerial firefighting version, able to scoop 25 tonnes 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 Tu-204P.Gordon, Sal'nikov and Zablotskiy 2006, p. 67.]

A-40PM (also known as 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 develoment 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 of cargo or 37 passengers and up to 6.5 tonnes of cargo.

A-42 (also known as 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 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.]

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 and Zablotskiy 2006, pp. 73-74.]

pecifications (A-40)

aircraft specifications
ref=Beriev's Jet Flying BoatsGordon, Sal'nikov and Zablotskiy 2006, pp. 49, 58, 66, 67.]
plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=jet

crew=8
capacity=
length main=43.84 m
length alt=143 ft 10in
span main=41.62 m
span alt=136 ft 6 in
height main=11 m
height alt=36 ft 1 in
area main=200 sq m
area alt=2,153 sq ft
airfoil=
empty weight main=
empty weight alt=
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
useful load main=
useful load alt=
max takeoff weight main=86,000 kg
max takeoff weight alt=189,630 lb
number of jets=2
engine (jet)=Soloviev D-30KPV
type of jet=turbofans
thrust main=117.7 kN
thrust alt=26,455 lbf
more general=Takeoff boosters: 2x Kolesov RD36-35 turbojets, 23 kN (5,180 lbf) each
max speed main=800 km/h
max speed alt=497 mph
cruise speed main=
cruise speed alt=
never exceed speed main=
never exceed speed alt=
stall speed main=
stall speed alt=
range main=4,100 km
range alt=2,212 nm)fact|date=August 2008

*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
ceiling main=
ceiling alt=
climb rate main=
climb rate alt=
loading main=
loading alt=
thrust/weight=
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

ee also

aircontent
related=
*Beriev Be-200
similar aircraft=
lists=
*List of seaplanes and flying boats
see also=

References

Notes

Bibliography

*
* Yefim Gordon, Andrey Sal'nikov and Aleksandr Zabotskiy (2006) "Beriev's Jet Flying Boats". Hinckley, UK: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-236-5