TYPE: Twin-turbofan multirole amphibian.

PROGRAMME: First mentioned Spring 1988 by Rear Adm William O. Studeman, then US director of naval intelligence, as seaplane with provisional Western designation 'Tag-D' (implying fourth unidentified type photographed by US reconnaissance satellite over Taganrog), for possible ASW/surveillance/minelaying role; identified as A-40 Albatross, designed by Alexander Konstantinov for search and rescue, when prototype flown over Tushino Airport during Aviation Day display, 20 August 1989; feature in Krasnaya Zvezda, 6 August 1989, stated that A-40 will be confined to SAR missions near coast, and next task confronting designers was to produce similar aircraft capable of operating anywhere in Pacific; Konstantinov said subsequently that seaplane development in USSR had halted because "if the West no longer builds them, we do not need them"; programme status therefore unknown, but prototype has set records (still to be confirmed), lifting payload of 5,000 kg to height of 13,300 m (43,635 ft) and 10,000 kg to 13,100 m (42,980 ft); 1989 completion of second prototype reported and 1990 edition of US Department of Defense's Soviet Military Power document states "The Soviets are still modernising their fixed-wing ASW force and are on the verge of deploying a jet amphibian" (the largest ever built). Designation Be-42 announced 1991.

DESIGN FEATURES: High-performance sweptwing amphibian; single-step hull of high length to beam ratio, with what the Soviet press describes as "the world's first development of a variable-rise bottom, providing a considerable improvement in stability and controllability in the water, as well as a reduction in g loads when landing and taking off at sea", all-swept T-tail; high-mounted engines protected from spray by strakes on each side of nose and forward of step, and by wings; large underwing pod each side of hull, faired into wingroot; wing leading-edge sweep approx 27°; large dorsal fin.

FLYING CONTROLS: Entire span of each wing trailing-edge occupied by aileron and two-section area-increasing flaps; full-span leading-edge flaps; conventional rudder and elevators.

STRUCTURE: Details not yet known, but extensive use of bonded honeycomb structures and composites; double-chine planing bottom forward of step; water rudder at rear of hull.

LANDING GEAR: Retractable tricycle type. Main units retract into large underwing pods, aft of wing trailing-edge. Non-retractable stabilising float pylon-mounted under each wingtip.

POWER PLANT: Two MKB (Perm)/Soloviev D-30KPV turbofans (each 117.7 kN; 26,455 lb st), pylon-mounted above fuselage, aft of wings. Each exhaust efflux is toed outward. Flight refuelling probe above nose.

ACCOMMODATION: Conventional flight deck, with door to rear of this on port side. Three circular cabin windows between door and wingroot fairing, probably on each side. Rescue team of four or five specialists with power boats, 1PS-6 liferafts and other specialised equipment can be carried, and there is room for up to 60 survivors, who enter the aircraft via hatches in the side of the hull with the aid of mechanised ramps. Medical team can include surgeon, therapeutist, anaesthetist and surgeon's assistant. Transport version could carry up to 95-100 passengers and/or freight.

AVIONICS: Large nose radome. Unidentified features include a slim container above each wingtip float pylon and a hemispherical fairing at rear of each wingroot pod.

EQUIPMENT: In SAR version, onboard equipment to combat hypothermia is available, together with resuscitation and surgical equipment and medicines; electro-optical sensors and searchlights to detect shipwreck survivors by day or night. Firefighting version could be equipped to drop firefighters and cargoes by parachute, and to drop up to 25,000 kg (55,115 lb) of water per sortie on a fire, at average concentration of 2.3 litres (0.60 US gallons; 0.50 Imp gallons)/m², while flying at 135 knots (250 km/h; 155 mph); water taken on board through scoops in planing bottom, from minimum 3,200 m (10,500 ft) stretch of water.

ARMAMENT: Stores bay, 6.10 m (20 ft) long, in bottom of hull, aft of step.

DIMENSIONS, EXTERNAL:

• Wing span: 41.8 m (137 ft 1½ in)
• Length overall, excl noseprobe: 43.0 m (141 ft 0 in)
• Height overall, on wheels: 11.0 m (36 ft 1 in)
• Max depth of hull forward of wing: 4.0 m (13 ft 2 in)
• Tailplane span: 12.0 m (39 ft 4 in)

PERFORMANCE:

• Max cruising speed: 431 knots (800 km/h; 497 mph)
• Patrol speed: 173-215 knots (320-400 km/h; 200-250 mph)
• Balanced runway length: 1,800 m (5,905 ft)
• Max wave height for safe operation: 2.0 m (6 ft 6½ in)
• Range with 37 passengers and 6,500 kg (14,330 lb) cargo: 2,700 nm (5,000 km; 3,100 miles)
• Max patrol endurance: 9 h