Submarine hunters. The oldest aircraft of the Russian Navy will get a second life
The Russian fleet is upgrading the remaining Be-12 “Seagull” flying boats. This aircraft is considered the oldest among all aircraft in service with the Russian Navy. The amphibian, created in Taganrog in the famous Beriev Design Bureau, first flew into the sky in the 1960 year, and the latest production copy of the Be-12 was released in the 1973 year. After upgrading and installing new equipment, the Seagull will turn into an effective submarine hunter.
Over the years, the mass production in Taganrog managed to assemble the 143 amphibious aircraft Be-12. At the time of the start of production, the Soviet "Seagull" was the largest mass-produced flying boat in the world. From the very beginning of its service, the main task of the Be-12 aircraft was the search for enemy submarines and the fight against them. In addition to the anti-submarine, fire and search and rescue versions of the Seagull were also produced. At the same time, part of the amphibious aircraft was converted into the Be-12SK version (designation of the theme “Scalp”), such aircraft could carry onboard the submarine nuclear charge 5ФХNUMX, which is an unguided parachute bomb that could reach any enemy submarine at a depth of 48 meters .
The fact that the Be-12 amphibious aircraft remaining in service is waiting for modernization, it became known in January 2018, when the first reports appeared about the commencement of work on the tactical-technical task necessary for the start of R & D to update the onboard equipment of flying boats. At the same time, it was reported that all the Be-12 will be radically updated and will receive three modern complexes for obtaining intelligence information about enemy submarines: radar, sonar and magnetically sensitive (detection of submarines by the ship’s magnetic field). It was also reported that the arsenal of depth charges and anti-submarine torpedoes used by amphibian aircraft would be expanded.
After modernization, updated Be-12 aircraft will not only be able to hunt, but also for a long time to monitor enemy submarines. In addition to the new sonar system, radar stations, sensors and a magnetic anomaly detector, it is possible that a modern Chaika will appear on board aviation sighting and navigation complex "Hephaestus". According to Izvestia journalists, it is planned to equip the upgraded versions of long-range Tu-142 anti-submarine aircraft with such a complex. In general, at present, Russian anti-submarine naval aviation is going through a modernization path: the IL-38 is being upgraded to the version of IL-38N, Tu-142 to version Tu-142M3M. The modernization of the remaining Be-12 “Chaika” flying boats, for which there is also a niche, also fits into this concept, especially given the fact that the Russian fleet does not receive new amphibious aircraft at all. Today, the Be-12 is the only remaining representative of this class of naval aviation.
According to Admiral Valentin Selivanov, the former chief of the Navy's General Staff, equipment upgrades on board the Be-12 amphibious aircraft will provide this naval veteran fleet second life. At the same time, the admiral believes that in addition to new airborne equipment and means for detecting submarines, the aircraft will also need new aircraft engines. In an interview with Izvestia, the admiral said that such a modernization of veteran aircraft is justified, since aircraft are much more efficient and faster to search for enemy submarines than ships. In just 2-3 hours of flight, a flying boat can explore half of the Black or Baltic Seas, while anti-submarine ships would need two to three days to do this. According to the admiral, based on the flight range of the Chaika amphibian aircraft, they could be used most effectively in the waters of the Black, Baltic, Barents and Sea of Japan. Based on the tactical capabilities of the aircraft and its locations, it can be assumed that the main task of the Be-12 will be to search for modern diesel-electric boats of a potential enemy, while Tu-142 aircraft will be better able to search for nuclear submarines.
Developed in the second half of the 1950, the aircraft does not just remain in service in the 2019 year. Over the years of operation, the amphibious aircraft Be-12 proved to be unpretentious, reliable and easy to operate, which was equally used in the northern and southern seas. Back in 1960-ies, this aircraft was based in Egypt, where, together with the 5-th squadron of the ships of the Soviet Navy, was engaged in patrolling the Mediterranean Sea. So the plane can be used not only in the border seas. In theory, the Be-12 will again be able to return to the Mediterranean Sea in the future, but the aircraft will be based in the Syrian port of Tartus, where a permanent Russian naval base is being created.
Be-12 is a classic high-wing, received the wing of the type "Seagull", which, apparently, gave the name of the aircraft. Such a wing has a characteristic kink, familiar to many more from the pre-war fighter, the I-153 semi-glider or the no less famous German Ju-87 dive bomber. At the same time, the Be-12 is currently one of the relatively late representatives of airplanes with a “dragon wing”. The designers stopped on this form of the wing from practical considerations in order to remove turboprop engines from the water surface as high as possible and prevent their flooding with water. This is especially important for an amphibian that lands and takes off from the water.
The body of the aircraft, especially in its lower part, is very similar to the ship's contours. The bottom of the flying boat Be-12 has a keel. This makes it easier for the aircraft to take off and land from the sea, and also provides a certain level of seaworthiness, which is also facilitated by the fact that the 8 of the aircraft’s 10 compartments are waterproof. In extraordinary circumstances, it is allowed to operate the “Seagull” at sea state around 3 points, this corresponds to a wave height in the range from 0,75 to 1,25 meters. At the same time, the aircraft can also be operated from conventional ground airfields, as it is equipped with a three-bearing retractable landing gear.
The power plant of the Be-12 flying boat is represented by two AI-20D turboprop engines with HP 5180 power. each. Their capacity is enough to accelerate a flying boat with a take-off weight of 36 tons to a speed of 550 km / h. At the same time, the cruising patrol speed is significantly lower and is approximately 320 km / h. The maximum range of the Be-12 is 4000 km, but the tactical range is limited to the 600-650 km distance, provided that the aircraft is in the specified patrol area for about three hours.
The Be-12SK upgrade option, which provides for the use of the 5F48 “Scalp” nuclear munition, was still somewhat exotic. Such an aviation nuclear anti-submarine bomb ensured the destruction of enemy submarines at depths up to 500 meters and could be used for strikes against surface and ground targets in air and contact types of explosion. At the same time, the main armament of the Be-12 amphibious aircraft was much more traditional depth charges and anti-submarine torpedoes.
The maximum combat load of the flying boat Be-12 is 3000 kg, the normal combat load is 1500 kg. The aircraft has a 4 suspension unit, as well as an internal weapons bay. To fight against enemy submarines, the crew of the “Seagull” could use anti-submarine bombs PLUB-50 and PLUB-250-120. At the same time, small hopes were initially placed on such bombs. Anti-submarine torpedoes АТ-1 (ПЛАТ-1), its modernized version АТ-1М and АТ-2 were much more promising means of destruction. These two-plane self-guided acoustic electric torpedoes were much more formidable. weaponsthan ordinary bombs.
In addition to anti-submarine bombs and torpedoes, the plane carried three main types of passive, non-directional buoys: RGB-N (Willow), RGB-NM (Chinara) and RSL-NM-1 (Jeton). The listed radiohydroacoustic buoys for the amphibious aircraft Be-12 were the main source of information about the underwater situation. To reduce the rate of descent when dumping, buoys were equipped with parachute systems of various types.
Over the years, the mass production in Taganrog managed to assemble the 143 amphibious aircraft Be-12. At the time of the start of production, the Soviet "Seagull" was the largest mass-produced flying boat in the world. From the very beginning of its service, the main task of the Be-12 aircraft was the search for enemy submarines and the fight against them. In addition to the anti-submarine, fire and search and rescue versions of the Seagull were also produced. At the same time, part of the amphibious aircraft was converted into the Be-12SK version (designation of the theme “Scalp”), such aircraft could carry onboard the submarine nuclear charge 5ФХNUMX, which is an unguided parachute bomb that could reach any enemy submarine at a depth of 48 meters .
Modernization of amphibious aircraft Be-12
The fact that the Be-12 amphibious aircraft remaining in service is waiting for modernization, it became known in January 2018, when the first reports appeared about the commencement of work on the tactical-technical task necessary for the start of R & D to update the onboard equipment of flying boats. At the same time, it was reported that all the Be-12 will be radically updated and will receive three modern complexes for obtaining intelligence information about enemy submarines: radar, sonar and magnetically sensitive (detection of submarines by the ship’s magnetic field). It was also reported that the arsenal of depth charges and anti-submarine torpedoes used by amphibian aircraft would be expanded.
After modernization, updated Be-12 aircraft will not only be able to hunt, but also for a long time to monitor enemy submarines. In addition to the new sonar system, radar stations, sensors and a magnetic anomaly detector, it is possible that a modern Chaika will appear on board aviation sighting and navigation complex "Hephaestus". According to Izvestia journalists, it is planned to equip the upgraded versions of long-range Tu-142 anti-submarine aircraft with such a complex. In general, at present, Russian anti-submarine naval aviation is going through a modernization path: the IL-38 is being upgraded to the version of IL-38N, Tu-142 to version Tu-142M3M. The modernization of the remaining Be-12 “Chaika” flying boats, for which there is also a niche, also fits into this concept, especially given the fact that the Russian fleet does not receive new amphibious aircraft at all. Today, the Be-12 is the only remaining representative of this class of naval aviation.
According to Admiral Valentin Selivanov, the former chief of the Navy's General Staff, equipment upgrades on board the Be-12 amphibious aircraft will provide this naval veteran fleet second life. At the same time, the admiral believes that in addition to new airborne equipment and means for detecting submarines, the aircraft will also need new aircraft engines. In an interview with Izvestia, the admiral said that such a modernization of veteran aircraft is justified, since aircraft are much more efficient and faster to search for enemy submarines than ships. In just 2-3 hours of flight, a flying boat can explore half of the Black or Baltic Seas, while anti-submarine ships would need two to three days to do this. According to the admiral, based on the flight range of the Chaika amphibian aircraft, they could be used most effectively in the waters of the Black, Baltic, Barents and Sea of Japan. Based on the tactical capabilities of the aircraft and its locations, it can be assumed that the main task of the Be-12 will be to search for modern diesel-electric boats of a potential enemy, while Tu-142 aircraft will be better able to search for nuclear submarines.
The capabilities of the veteran aircraft Be-12 "Seagull"
Developed in the second half of the 1950, the aircraft does not just remain in service in the 2019 year. Over the years of operation, the amphibious aircraft Be-12 proved to be unpretentious, reliable and easy to operate, which was equally used in the northern and southern seas. Back in 1960-ies, this aircraft was based in Egypt, where, together with the 5-th squadron of the ships of the Soviet Navy, was engaged in patrolling the Mediterranean Sea. So the plane can be used not only in the border seas. In theory, the Be-12 will again be able to return to the Mediterranean Sea in the future, but the aircraft will be based in the Syrian port of Tartus, where a permanent Russian naval base is being created.
Be-12 is a classic high-wing, received the wing of the type "Seagull", which, apparently, gave the name of the aircraft. Such a wing has a characteristic kink, familiar to many more from the pre-war fighter, the I-153 semi-glider or the no less famous German Ju-87 dive bomber. At the same time, the Be-12 is currently one of the relatively late representatives of airplanes with a “dragon wing”. The designers stopped on this form of the wing from practical considerations in order to remove turboprop engines from the water surface as high as possible and prevent their flooding with water. This is especially important for an amphibian that lands and takes off from the water.
The body of the aircraft, especially in its lower part, is very similar to the ship's contours. The bottom of the flying boat Be-12 has a keel. This makes it easier for the aircraft to take off and land from the sea, and also provides a certain level of seaworthiness, which is also facilitated by the fact that the 8 of the aircraft’s 10 compartments are waterproof. In extraordinary circumstances, it is allowed to operate the “Seagull” at sea state around 3 points, this corresponds to a wave height in the range from 0,75 to 1,25 meters. At the same time, the aircraft can also be operated from conventional ground airfields, as it is equipped with a three-bearing retractable landing gear.
The power plant of the Be-12 flying boat is represented by two AI-20D turboprop engines with HP 5180 power. each. Their capacity is enough to accelerate a flying boat with a take-off weight of 36 tons to a speed of 550 km / h. At the same time, the cruising patrol speed is significantly lower and is approximately 320 km / h. The maximum range of the Be-12 is 4000 km, but the tactical range is limited to the 600-650 km distance, provided that the aircraft is in the specified patrol area for about three hours.
Armament amphibious aircraft Be-12 "Seagull"
The Be-12SK upgrade option, which provides for the use of the 5F48 “Scalp” nuclear munition, was still somewhat exotic. Such an aviation nuclear anti-submarine bomb ensured the destruction of enemy submarines at depths up to 500 meters and could be used for strikes against surface and ground targets in air and contact types of explosion. At the same time, the main armament of the Be-12 amphibious aircraft was much more traditional depth charges and anti-submarine torpedoes.
The maximum combat load of the flying boat Be-12 is 3000 kg, the normal combat load is 1500 kg. The aircraft has a 4 suspension unit, as well as an internal weapons bay. To fight against enemy submarines, the crew of the “Seagull” could use anti-submarine bombs PLUB-50 and PLUB-250-120. At the same time, small hopes were initially placed on such bombs. Anti-submarine torpedoes АТ-1 (ПЛАТ-1), its modernized version АТ-1М and АТ-2 were much more promising means of destruction. These two-plane self-guided acoustic electric torpedoes were much more formidable. weaponsthan ordinary bombs.
In addition to anti-submarine bombs and torpedoes, the plane carried three main types of passive, non-directional buoys: RGB-N (Willow), RGB-NM (Chinara) and RSL-NM-1 (Jeton). The listed radiohydroacoustic buoys for the amphibious aircraft Be-12 were the main source of information about the underwater situation. To reduce the rate of descent when dumping, buoys were equipped with parachute systems of various types.
Information