MOSCOW. Jan 17 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian Navy Command is studying the possibility of restoring the development and serial production of a patrol modification of the A-40 amphibian, Gennady Panatov, director general and constructor general of the Taganrog-based Beriyev aircraft research and technical enterprise, told Interfax-Military News Agency on Thursday.
According to him, Navy Commander Vladimir Kuroyedov is expected to visit Taganrog in March this year to study the situation related to the amphibian's production. Earlier the enterprise was visited by a group of officers of the Navy aviation led by aviation commander Lieutenant General Ivan Fedin. The officers concluded that there was a real possibility of restoring the A-40 serial production in Taganrog. The enterprise's experimental facility and serial aircraft plant have all needed equipment and materials.
Two flying prototypes of the A-40 amphibian have been made so far. The third one, adjusted for rescue missions and designated BE-52, is 65 percent ready, Panatov said.
The amphibian development started in 1983, the director went on. The aircraft underwent a series of flight tests without special systems. A preliminary authorization of the amphibian's serial production preparation at the Taganrog aircraft plant was issued, but the works were suspended in 1996, and the TU-204P of the Tupolev company was chosen the basic anti-submarine and patrol aircraft.
The A-40 amphibian was intended for replacement of BE-12 Mail and IL-38 May planes. It was to accomplish patrol missions and combat submarines and surface ships in close-to-surface and medium sea zones. The plane's baseline variant was to be fitted with the Sova sight-and-search system, an optical sight, modern navigation and hydro-acoustic equipment as well as the combat assets control system. Specialists also planned to fit the amphibian with torpedoes, air-to-water and air-to-surface missiles, mines, depth bombs and other weapons. The aircraft also has an aerial refueling system.
The amphibian's take-off weight is 86t, maximum combat load 6,500t, flight speed in the patrolling mode 320 to 400km/h, practical flight range 6,600km and flight range with maximum combat load 4,100km. It is operational when the sea swell does not exceed five points
The cost of the A-40 baseline variant makes USD40m-45m.