Beriev Be-42 / A-40 Albatros

The largest amphibian plane in the world. Designed to replace Be-12. First flew in 1986. Entered service in 1990.

The A-40 amphibian aircraft is intended for antisubmarine warfare in the near coastal zone at any time of the day and year, in VFR and IFR weather conditions.

The aircraft is provided with an inflight refueling system.

Its onboard equipment provides for automatic solution of flight/navigation problems, search, detection, tracking and destruction of hostile submarines both in surface and submerged positions and on the sea bottom.

The equipment comprises a search/sighting system, a flight control and navigation complex, communications facilities, and other equipment. The search/sighting system consists of radar, sonar and magnetometric subsystems.

The A-40 aircraft armament system comprises antisubmarine torpedoes, missiles, conventional and nuclear bombs.

The aircraft is powered by two D-30KPV cruise turbofans producing a takeoff thrust of 12,000kgf each and two RD-36-35AFV booster turbojets producing a 2,900kgf thrust, respectively. The engines are started by means of an auxiliary power unit. The cruise turbofans are equipped with a thrust reverser, thereby reducing the landing roll and the abortive takeoff distance.

3-View

A three-view drawing (752 x 1096)