In an aeronautical world dominated by commercial jets from Airbus, Boeing and Embraer, seaplanes are “very rare”, found almost only to serve special missions. However, a model manufactured by Russia draws attention not only for operating on water, but also for being the only amphibious jet aircraft in the world that can do so. Designed to fight forest fires, the Beriev Be-200 is a Russian flying firefighter.
In the 1920s and 1930s, seaplanes ruled the skies. Giants propelled by two, four, six and even eight propeller engines were fundamental in developing the aviation we know today. In a much more precarious time, when airports were a rarity, only large bodies of water provided enough space for these monsters to operate.
The inevitable evolution of aircraft ended up, little by little, excluding amphibious models, which became increasingly rare. On the other hand, the development of these aircraft also continued, albeit to meet specific needs.
Beryev A-40
The Beriev Aeronautical Company is among the oldest Russian companies in the sector, founded in 1934 by military engineer Georgy Beriev, based in Taganrog, a port city on the Sea of Azov. Thus, the first models created by Beriev were precisely seaplanes.
In the 1980s, Beriev began developing the A-40 Albatros, an amphibious jet for the Navy of the former Soviet Union. The model was supposed to replace two combat aircraft, the Be-12 and the Ilyushyn Il-38, used in maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare missions. Measuring 43 meters long and with a wingspan of 41, the amphibious jet would be equipped with sensors and radars and capable of launching sonobuoys, torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.
In December 1986, the A-40 made its first flight, at the same time the company was building a second prototype. However, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the USSR killed the project.
While still developing the A-40, Beriev planned versions to serve the civilian market, including a smaller variant, which would later become the Be-200.
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Although the A-40 did not go forward, there was still a need for an amphibious aircraft, although not in a military role. Three years after the Albatros' first flight, Beriev focused its efforts on developing the Be-200, with the primary mission of fighting forest fires.
Like other countries, Russia also faces problems with this phenomenon annually. The huge, dense forests and long distances from urban centers also make it considerably difficult for firefighters and heavy vehicles to control the fire. Therefore, the Russian Ministry of Civil Defense, Emergencies and Disaster Assistance (EMERCOM) has its own fleet of aircraft to respond to these and other incidents.
Altair
The Be-200 has a similar design to the A-40, but with only half the weight and around 10 meters less in length and wingspan. In 1991, the project was officially presented to the public at the Paris Air Show. At a time of serious crisis in Russia, Beriev did not have the resources to finance the project alone, and ended up ing the Irkutsk Aircraft Production Association (currently Irkut Corporation).
Be was responsible for the entire development of the amphibious jet, while Irkut was committed to manufacturing the plane. Today the two firms, as well as other Russian companies in the sector, are part of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), a state-owned conglomerate.
A Plane heading into water just looks rather strange doesn't it? 🤔 The Beriev Be-200 Altair is a jet-powered amphibious flying boat built by the Beriev Aircraft Company. It's designed for fire fighting, search & rescue, maritime patrol, cargo, and enger transportation. pic.twitter.com/uzM2xmRfcf
ADVERTISING — H0W_THlNGS_W0RK (@HowThingsWork_) February 2, 2024
In September 1998, the Be-200 prototype made its first flight; the following year, the same aircraft made its first takeoff from water, departing from Beriev's headquarters in Taganrog. The model was named Altair, one of the stars in the Eagle constellation. The name is also an acronym between Albatros (A-40), the initials of the city of Taganrog and partner Irkutsk. The second Atair prototype was produced in its summer Be-200ChS/ES, specifically for EMERCOM. The organization became the jet's first customer,
Aerial firefighting
The Be-200 is powered by a pair of Progress D-436 turobofans in the TP version, which have received anti-corrosion treatment to allow amphibious operation. The engines, also used on the Antonov An-72 and An-148, are mounted on a higher structure at the rear of the fuselage, also to move them away from the water. The cockpit for two pilots and an assistant has its dominated by six multifunctional screens. The control system is fly-by-wire.
To fight fires from the air, the Be-200 has eight water tanks, made of aluminum and mounted under the cabin floor, with a total capacity of 12 thousand liters. Another six smaller tanks are used with chemical retardants. In a firefighting operation, the jet can carry out eight consecutive launches or dump all the material at once.
In the same way as the Canadair CL-415 and the AirTractor Fire Boss, the Be-200 refills its tanks by collecting water from rivers and lakes, using four collectors, called buckets. The aircraft slides the fuselage through the water with the collectors open, at a speed of 200 km/h, filling the tanks in just 14 seconds.
In the absence of a large enough body of water, the Be-200 can land on an airfield and fill the tanks using bombs, in an operation similar to that carried out by the Brazilian Air Force with the Embraer KC-390. The Brazilian jet uses the MAFFS II system, installed in its cargo compartment, capable of transporting the same volume of water.
Multifaceted
Although its primary function is firefighting, the Altair can fulfill other missions. The jet's cabin can carry up to 72 engers, or even receive a mixed configuration of cargo and engers.
The aircraft can also be used for air medical transport, transporting 30 patients on stretchers and a team of seven doctors or nurses. To carry out search and rescue missions, the jet can be equipped with searchlights, inflatable boats and medical aid material.
The UAC still offers a version of the Be-200 for anti-submarine warfare and maritime patrol, like the old A-40. However, no government was interested in this variant.
A machine with an uncertain future
Despite being an excellent tool to combat a highly harmful and increasingly common phenomenon, the Be-200 is not in a very favorable position. Only 19 units were produced, including prototypes.
Most of the planes are in activity with EMERCOM. Naval Aviation and the Russian Ministry of Defense also acquired the model. In addition to its use within its country of origin, the aircraft served to fight fires in Portugal, Italy, Greece, Israel and Turkey.
Still in 2002, Irkut sought a partnership with the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS), currently Airbus, aiming to exchange the D-436 engines for the Rolls Royce BR715, to make the Be-200 more attractive to the export market, in a version called Be-200RR. The idea, however, did not go ahead, as changing engines would be too expensive and require more certifications. Furthermore, the British engine did not have anti-corrosion treatment, like the original models.
In export, the Be-200 was not as successful, being acquired only by the governments of Algeria and Azerbaijan. Companies from Chile and the United States also negotiated some units, but without going beyond that.
Finally, the original engines were manufactured by Motor Sich, from Ukraine. In 2014, with the annexation of Crimea by Russia, the relationship between the two countries was greatly weakened, to say the least. With the 2022 invasion and the conflict that continues to this day, engine was severely affected. The sanctions imposed by the International Community also make the sale of the model considerably difficult.
The Be-200 is still a relatively new aircraft with expansion potential. But within the current scenario, the Altair must remain fighting fires only in Russia.
