Bartini Beriev VVA-14

VVA-14
Survivor in dilapidated condition
Role	Amphibious ASW aircraft
National origin	Soviet Union
Manufacturer	Beriev
Designer	Robert Bartini
First flight	September 4, 1972
Status	Retired
Number built	2 prototypes

The Bartini Beriev VVA-14 Vertikal`no-Vzletayuschaya Amphibia (vertical take-off amphibious aircraft) was a wing-in-ground-effect aircraft developed in the Soviet Union during the 1970s.^[1] Designed to be able to take off from the water and fly at high speed over long distances, it was to make true flights at high altitude, but also have the capability of "flying" efficiently just above the sea surface, using aerodynamic ground effect. The VVA-14 was designed by Italian-born designer Robert Bartini in answer to a perceived requirement to destroy United States Navy Polaris missile submarines.

Development

Bartini, in collaboration with the Beriev Design Bureau intended to develop the prototype VVA-14 in three phases. The VVA-14M1 was to be an aerodynamics and technology testbed, initially with rigid pontoons on the ends of the central wing section, and later with these replaced by inflatable pontoons. The VVA-14M2 was to be more advanced, with two starting engines to blast into the cavity under the wing to give lift and later with a battery of lift engines to give VTOL capability, and with fly-by-wire flight controls. The VVA-14M3 would see the VTOL vehicle fully equipped with armament and with the Burevestnik computerised anti-submarine warfare (ASW) system, Bor-1 magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) and other operational equipment.

History

After extensive research, including the development of the small prototype Be-1 wing in ground effect aircraft, the first VVA-14 prototype was completed in 1972. Its first flight was from a conventional runway on September 4, 1972.

In 1974, the inflatable pontoons were installed, though their operation caused many problems. Flotation and water taxi tests followed, culminating in the start of flight testing of the amphibious aircraft on 11 June 1975.

The inflatable pontoons were later replaced by rigid pontoons, while the fuselage was lengthened and the starting engines added. This incarnation was given the designation 14M1P. However, the bureau supplying the intended battery of 12 RD-36-35PR lift engines did not deliver, and this made VTOL testing impossible.^[2]

After Bartini's death in 1974, the project slowed and eventually drew to a close, the aircraft having conducted 107 flights, with a total flight time of 103 hours. The only remaining VVA-14, No. 19172, was retired to the Russian Federation Central Air Force Museum, Monino in 1987. The aircraft still resides at the museum in a dismantled state, where it carries the designations "10687" and "Aeroflot".

Specifications (VVA-14M1)

General characteristics

• Crew: 3
• Length: 25.97 m (85 ft 2 in)
• Wingspan: 30 m (98 ft 5 in)
• Height: 6.79 m (22 ft 3 in)
• Wing area: 217.79 m² (2344 ft²)
• Empty weight: 23,236 kg (51,119 lb)
• Gross weight: 52,000 kg (114,400 lb)
• Powerplant: (Cruise) 2 × Soloviev D-30M turbofans, 67 kN (15062 lbf) thrust each

(VTOL - not fitted) 12 × 12 RD-36-35 PR lift turbofan engines, 43 kN (9,666 lbf) thrust each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 760 km/h (472 mph)
• Cruising speed: 640 km/h (398 mph)
• Range: 2,450 km (1,522 miles)
• Service ceiling: 8,000-10,000 m (26,247-32,808 ft)

See also

Related development

• Beriev Be-1

References

• Komissarov, Sergey. “Russia's Ekranoplans”. Hinkley. Midland Publishing. 2002. ISBN 1-85780-146-6
• Komissarov, Sergey and Yefim Gordon. Soviet and Russian Ekranoplans. Hersham, UK: Ian Allen Publishing, 2010. ISBN 978-1-85780-332-7.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to CCCP-10687 (aircraft).

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bartini Beriev VVA-14.

• VVA-14 on Google Maps