MOSCOW. April 18 (Interfax-AVN) - Financing of research and tests related to the development of the A-42 search and rescue amphibian will begin after 2005, Viktor Ponomaryov, deputy constructor general of the Beriyev aircraft research and technical association, said on Thursday.
The A-42 is a derivative of the A-40 amphibian, Ponomaryov told Interfax-Military News Agency. Two flying prototypes of the A-40 and a sample for static tests have been built. The A-42 will boast more perfect on-board equipment and a new sighting and search system. It is not yet clear what engine will power the aircraft. It may be NK-93 being developed by the Kusnetsov research and technical association in Samara, D-27 developed by the Progress machine-building design bureau in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia, or PS-90A developed by the Aviadvigatel JS and mass- produced by the Perm engine plant.
Development of the A-42 is problematic, Ponomaryov said. The chief of armament of the Armed Forces decided in 1995 to stop all work on the A-40, financing of the A-42 program was suspended as well. The first A-42 has been idling at the Beriyev association in the southern Russian town of Taganrog for several years. It is 80 percent ready.
Speaking about export supplies of the A-40 and A-42, Ponomaryov said the Beriyev plant was working in the sphere in cooperation with the Rosoboronexport state-owned arms trader.
The A-40 amphibian was designed in the 1980s as an anti- submarine plane for the medium defense zone. It is powered by two D-30KPV engines developing 15t each; the engines are placed on pylons under the wing. The aircraft's take-off weight is 86t with a payload weight of 6.5t. The A-42 will have a take-off weight of up to 95t and payload of up to 10t. Its flight range will amount to 9,300km and cruising speed to 700kmph.