Beriev A-40
| A-40 Albatros (Be-42) | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Role | ASW amphibian |
| Manufacturer | Beriev |
| First flight | 8 December 1986 |
| Status | ordered into production |
| Primary user | Russian Naval Aviation |
| Number built | 2 |
| Developed into | Beriev Be-200 |
 A-42 on water
|
The Beriev A-40 Albatros (also Be-42, 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, the project was suspended after only one prototype had been manufactured, with second 70% completed, due to the breakup of the Soviet Union. The project was later revived and an order has been placed by the Russian Navy.
The maiden flight 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.
On 5 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 contract to replace the aging fleet of Be-12 and Il-38 aircraft is under consideration.
The A-40 was 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 had a marked anhedral angle, with balance floats attached by short pylons directly under each wingtip.
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