Beriev Aircraft Company

Taganrog Beriyev Aviation 
Scientific-Technical Complex (TANTK)
Taganrogskiy aviatsionnyy 
nauchno-tekhnicheskiy kompleks (TANTK) 
imeni G.M. Beriyeva 
Beriyev Design Bureau 
347923, Taganrog, Russia 
Instrumentalny t.1 
Telephone: (011-7-86344) 4-98-39
Telex: 298107 BETA; 
Fax: (011-7-86344) 4-14-54 

Taganrog Beriev Aircraft Scientific and Technical Complex (TANTK) is one of the leading Design Bureaus in Russia and is a world leader in building amphibians. Beriev TANTK has developed a number of modern amphibians, which are produced already or are ready for production. The world-biggest A-40 Albatros amphibian jet, multipurpose Be-200 amphibian (in quantity production at Irkutsk Aircraft Production Association) and Be-103 light aircraft (series production is expected at Komsomolsk Aircraft Production Association) are among them.

Starting from year 1934 Beriev Aircraft Company was engaged in development, prototype production and testing of aircraft technique. The traditional focus of the Beriyev Design Bureau has been the development of seaplanes for military and civilian use.

Georgiy Mikhaylovich Beriyev founded the Central Design Bureau of Seaplanes Manufacturing that bears his name at Taganrog in 1934. In October 1941, the approach of German forces brought all production at Taganrog to a halt, and the Bureau was moved to Krasnoyarsk in Siberia in 1942 to avoid destruction in World War II. It wasn't until 1945 that the Beriev Bureau was reestablished at Taganrog, and it's next major design only appeared in June 1947. Seaplanes produced by Beriyev's bureau include the MBR-2 (Morskoy Blizhniy Razvyedchik: marine short-range reconnaissance), Be-2, Be-4, Be-6 Madge, and Be-12 Mail. The Be-12 holds all of the 45 records listed with the Federation Aeronautique Internationale for turboprop-powered amphibians and turboprop-powered flying boats.

The organization also includes the collocated Taganrog aircraft plant. Total employment was about 5,500 as of 1991.

Military products include derivatives of the A-40 Albatross amphibious aircraft including the Be-42 and Be-44 Mermaid (SAR and ASW variants, respectively). Civil products include derivatives of the A-40 Albatross, such as the Be-200 amphibian; Be-32 15 passenger land plane; Be-103 5 passenger business-class amphibian. The Be-200 is a smaller version of the A-40 prototype intended for a variety of civil applications such as fire fighting and search and rescue operations. In 1990 Taganrog and ILTA Trade Finance of Switzerland formed Beta Air, a joint venture to develop and market the Be-200 worldwide. The Be-200 is scheduled to be produced in Irkutsk. Taganrog is also a partner in the "Pacific Ocean Airworks" firm and modified the Be-12 aircraft flown by that company.

BETA AIR Joint-Stock Company was founded in 1991. The enterprise responsibility extends to the entire process of development, manufacturing and after-sales service of the Be-200 new generation amphibious aircraft. Major Russian and foreign companies are the founders and the participants of the project. The main purpose of BETA AIR establishment is creation of the solid management structure for the implementation of the joint project launched by BERIEV Aircraft Company - leader in hydroaviation development, Irkutsk Aviation Industrial Association - the largest aircraft manufacturer and powerful financial and consulting companies.

Taganrog is located on the coast of Taganrog Bay, a part of the Azov Sea situated close to border with Ukraine. The town is approximately 700 miles South-East of Moscow it is very green and the weather is excellent almost all the time. Taganrog was founded by Rassian tzar Peter the Great in 1698 as a fortress/port near the mouth of the Don River. It is a medium-size Russian Southern city with a population is about 300 thousand and a great cultural legacy. Taganrog is famous as motherland of great Russian writer - Anton Chekhov was born in Taganrog in 1860. Industry in the city is represented by aviation, heavy metal, electronics and machine-building. The founding of "Taganrog Aviation Scientific-Technical Complex (Beriev) name Beriev" is considered to be October 1, 1934. According to the order by the General Directorate of Aviation Industry of the USSR #44 / 260 from August 6, 1934 to this date it was necessary to organize in the south, in Taganrog, Central Design Bureau for marine aircraft (MS CDB). As its chief designer was appointed engineer Georgy Beriev.

MS CDB activities in Taganrog began to launch into mass production earlier projected sea near Beriev MBR-2 reconnaissance and development of two-seater ship catapult aircraft spotter CDF-1. Already in 1935, for consideration by the Ministry of Aviation Industry [MAP] were presented three preliminary design of biplane: on one float, two floats and flying boat. The Ministry Approved the first option. A small series of these aircraft was built, which later served during the Great Patriotic War and were used as a light attack aircraft (with wheel chassis).

Along with the testing of the CDF-1 were carried out work to improve the MBR-2. On it installed engine M-34, developed options for the transportation of goods and passengers. In total, more than 1,300 aircraft in two different versions were built. It was widely used in the national economy, it set several world records pilots Marina Raskova Vera Lomako and Polina Osipenko. In the aircraft it was widely used during the war as a local scout and light bomber (in the winter - skiing). But just two copies of the long-range maritime reconnaissance MDR-5 were built.

In 1938 an attempt was made to establish a seaplane to replace the MBR-2. The new IDB-7 had a slightly smaller size and installation of the powerful motor involves obtaining the best aircraft performance data. However, due to a very strong torque generated by the propeller, the plane would collapse on the wing and was difficult to manage. A high take-off and landing speed creating hydrodynamic problems, manifested in the so-called "leopard" (pushing the aircraft out of the water). So after two accidents were experienced work samples were terminated.

The fate of the new CDF-2 was otherwise. Taking into account the experience of creation and continuous refinement of its predecessor, the designers have created quite a perfect plane, which was put into production on the mechanical plant in pos.Savelovo Kalinin region.

After the war and the evacuation of the plant (first in Omsk, then in Krasnoyarsk) CB production workers helped in the short term to establish the necessary production

In particular, projects of high-speed fighter B-10 with the tandem arrangement of the two motors, dive bomber, torpedo bomber, armored attack, but still the preference was given to the marine theme. Thus, in the most difficult conditions of evacuation appeared distant sea scout - flying boat LL-143 with two engines AL-72. On its basis in 1944 the layout was built a civil flying boat PLL-144 for the carriage of passengers and goods. Unfortunately, she did not see the light. But already tested in Taganrog seaplane LL-143 became the basis of the Be-6 with two DB-73, which has successfully protected marine spaces of the Soviet Union for many years.

Along with it in the CB there was designed with one engine AL-21 light connected amphibious aircraft Be-8, which experienced hydrofoils and gidrolyzhi. And while in 1948 the design stood the state tests, in serial production did not go because of the priority issues of "pure" military aircraft. In general, the pre-war and war years were very fruitful.

With the advent of jet aircraft came the task of creating an amphibious airplane with jet engines. And it was built - P-1 with two VC-1. During the trials designers were faced with the problem of overcoming the hydrodynamic barrier, ie, unstable gliding at high take-off speeds. The solution has allowed to as soon as possible to create a spy torpedo-Be-10 with two jet engines AL-7PB. It was built in series from 1956 to 1961 and it was established several world records.

But the project of supersonic flying boat presented serious aviation programs. Aviation preferred rocket technology, and design given the task to develop a flying bomb for arming submarines. This problem experts have decided to succeed: a cruise missile P-10 was created under the leadership of chief designer Anatoly Bogatyrev.

The appearance of nuclear missile submarines put on the agenda the question of continuous monitoring of sea areas surrounding the country. The solution became anti-amphibious aircraft Be-12, equipped with two theaters. A small series of cars built in search and rescue variant (Be-12PS) with special equipment.

In the 70 years Beriev actively took up the civil subjects. Preparing a project amphibious aircraft designed to extinguish forest fires, transportation of passengers and cargo. It was considering the option of agricultural aircraft. The bureau created a land of Be-30 for local airlines. Its prototype in 1969 at the international air show in Le Bourget, has been praised by experts. Unfortunately, through no fault of CB plane was not launched into serial production reasons. But many years later, in 1993, a modification of the Be-32K was exhibited in Paris, Moscow and Dubai. Currently being prepared for mass production of the Be-32K at an aircraft factory in Taganrog. Developed administrative, commercial, medical and landing options. It is also possible to use the aircraft for the protection of forests, environmental monitoring and patrolling.

After the transition Beriev in 1968 to work in Moscow (for health reasons) Alexey Konstantinov was the chief designer. Under his leadership, the team had a chance to venture to develop an experimental amphibious aircraft vertical takeoff and landing VVA-14, designed by a talented scientist and aircraft designer Robert Bartini. Between 1968 and 1975, an experimental model was built and tested with the participation of many scientific and engineering organizations in the country. In the future, modernizing 14M1P used to study the possibility of non-contact off and landing with the blowing gas dynamic effect. For this purpose motors with ancillary jet deflection device were set under the center section in the forward fuselage. The team, faced with an original and extremely challenging to build amphibious vertical takeoff and landing with a pronounced effect WIG, obtained important results for promising jobs, many of which are still unique.

Other achievements KB Steel brought to serial production AEW A-50 and Tu-142MR, hitherto located with the Russian air force and anti-amphibious aircraft A-40 "Albatros". The latest development on the government's decision to replace the Be-12, Il-38 and Tu-142 in the Navy. In the period 1976 - 1991 they carried out conceptual design, layout, detailed design, built two prototypes, and began flight tests.

In 1986 the A-40 amphibious aircraft, the largest in the world, made its maiden flight. Its sophistication was confirmed by 140 world records. The Be-42 amphibian for patrol and search-rescue operations is being designed around the A-40. Current efforts are directed towards development of various civil and military variants of the A-40 Albatross amphibian prototype.

The A-40 "Albatros" was the biggest jet amphibious aircraft in the world with a unique aircraft performance and seaworthiness characteristics. It is set 140 world records. He is able to sit on the high seas with wave heights up to 2 meters, flying at a distance of 5,500 km at a speed of 700-800 km / h. A-40 is a new step in the development of hydro-aviation, testifying to the great creative possibilities of collective Beriev. At the international air show in France, Singapore, New Zealand and England, he was praised and aroused great interest of foreign specialists.

In addition, A-40 was the base for the creation of various modifications. Already developed and built the first practical instance of the amphibious aircraft Be-42, designed for solving search-and-rescue and patrol tasks over the sea. It has a large side hatch (1,8 x 2 m) in front. Through him in finding the aircraft afloat down the boat with the rescue group and selected victims. For immediate assistance there is provided a medical bay, equipped with modern equipment. On board it can accommodate 54 people. Distance of the Be-42 flying with a full load - 2700 km, and with refueling in the air - up to 11,000 km.

Beriev was involved in the design, testing and construction of the keel space shuttle "Buran". At the same time, active work is being done in Beriev Aircraft Company to introduce seaplane in the world transport infrastructure. As part of the conversion modernized Be-12.

On their basis amphibious aircraft for forest fire extinguishing Be-12P, 12P-Be-200 and Be-12NH transport. They are used for testing the use of techniques amphibians for civilian purposes, crew training and infrastructure, as well as to effectively operate to extinguish the forest fires of varying intensity in the Rostov and Irkutsk regions, Chukotka Autonomous District, the Crimea and Transportation in the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin.

The Be-103 light amphibious aircraft was being tested. It can be used for passenger and cargo transportation, fire supervision, operational control over the ecological state of water bodies, prosecution and interception poaching boats and yachts, medical emergency, urgent delivery of small loads.

The Be-200 multipurpose civil amphibious aircraft was created and is undergoing flight test and certification. It is under construction Irkutsk Aircraft Production Association. Its basic version is designed for fighting forest fires. Under the floor of the cargo compartment of the aircraft tanks are located in which at planing mode on the surface of any suitable body of water is dialed up to 12 tons of water. Sealed fuselage allows quickly converting the aircraft for the transport of passengers or goods. A quality amphibious Be-200 make attractive not only for the island regions of Asia, but also for Europe and North America.

From the perspective projects Beriev is possible to note the creation of super-heavy (up to 5000 ton) seaplanes and aerodynamic. Schemes of aircraft, which, using the screen effect at takeoff and landing, can deliver passengers and cargo over long distances at altitudes and speeds of airplanes. This amphibian and aerodynamic use of existing transport infrastructure of seaports.

To promote hydroaviation and demonstrate its capabilities with the support of the Russian government in the city of Gelendzhik, Krasnodar Territory once held in two years.

International exhibition and scientific conference on the seaplane. One of the organizers is the Beriev Aircraft Company and the venue - the territory of Gelendzhik its test and experimental facilities and the local airport. Past with great success in 1996 and 1998, the exhibition hydroaviation showed a huge interest in it throughout the world, allowed the Russian and foreign experts familiar with the peculiarities of the seaplane and see their potential at work on the water, we have demonstrated the scientific and technological level of domestic and foreign aircraft. Impressive gidroaviashou confirmed the leading position of Russia and the availability of a clear leader in the world in this particular field of aviation - Beriev Aircraft Company. Beriev, which is preparing to again prove their superiority on the next "Gidroaviasalon-2000."