The Bartini Beriev VVA-14Vertikaľno-Vzletayushchaya Amfibiya (vertical take-offamphibious aircraft) was a wing-in-ground-effect aircraft developed in the Soviet Union during the early 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 Hungarian-born designer Robert Bartini in answer to a perceived requirement to destroy United States NavyPolaris missile submarines. The final aircraft was retired in 1987.
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.
Operational historyEdit
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 4 September 1972.[2]
In 1974, 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. The bureau supplying the intended battery of 12 RD-36-35PR lift engines did not deliver, and this made VTOL testing impossible.[3]
After Bartini's death in 1974, the project slowed and eventually drew to a close,[2] 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 Soviet Central Air Force Museum, Moscow in 1987. As a result of uncertain accidents during the shipping to museum, the aircraft received some damage, but these damages were not repaired afterwards. The aircraft still resides at the museum in a dismantled state, where it carries the designations "10687" and "Aeroflot".[4]
Komissarov, Sergey and Yefim Gordon. Soviet and Russian Ekranoplans. Hersham, UK: Ian Allan Publishing, 2010. ISBN978-1-85780-332-7.
External linksEdit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bartini Beriev VVA-14.
VVA-14 on Google Maps
August 29, 2023
bartini, beriev, vertikaľno, vzletayushchaya, amfibiya, vertical, take, amphibious, aircraft, wing, ground, effect, aircraft, developed, soviet, union, during, early, 1970s, designed, able, take, from, water, high, speed, over, long, distances, make, true, fli. The Bartini Beriev VVA 14 Vertikaľno Vzletayushchaya Amfibiya vertical take off amphibious aircraft was a wing in ground effect aircraft developed in the Soviet Union during the early 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 Hungarian born designer Robert Bartini in answer to a perceived requirement to destroy United States Navy Polaris missile submarines The final aircraft was retired in 1987 VVA 14Survivor in dilapidated condition wings removed Role Amphibious ASW aircraftNational origin Soviet UnionManufacturer BerievDesigner Robert BartiniFirst flight 4 September 1972Retired 1987Status RetiredNumber built 2 prototypes Contents 1 Development 2 Operational history 3 Specifications VVA 14M1 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksDevelopment EditBartini 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 Operational history EditAfter 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 4 September 1972 2 In 1974 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 The bureau supplying the intended battery of 12 RD 36 35PR lift engines did not deliver and this made VTOL testing impossible 3 After Bartini s death in 1974 the project slowed and eventually drew to a close 2 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 Soviet Central Air Force Museum Moscow in 1987 As a result of uncertain accidents during the shipping to museum the aircraft received some damage but these damages were not repaired afterwards The aircraft still resides at the museum in a dismantled state where it carries the designations 10687 and Aeroflot 4 Specifications VVA 14M1 EditData from citation needed General characteristicsCrew 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 2 344 3 sq ft Empty weight 23 236 kg 51 227 lb Gross weight 52 000 kg 114 640 lb Powerplant 2 Soloviev D 30M turbofan engines 67 kN 15 000 lbf thrust each Cruise Powerplant 12 Rybinsk RD 36 35PR turbofan lift engines 43 kN 9 700 lbf thrust each VTOL not fitted Performance Maximum speed 760 km h 470 mph 410 kn Cruise speed 640 km h 400 mph 350 kn Range 2 450 km 1 520 mi 1 320 nmi Service ceiling 8 000 10 000 m 26 000 33 000 ft See also EditRelated development Beriev Be 1 Beriev Be 2500References Edit Russia s Amphibious Aircraft The Bartini Beriev VVA 14 hague6185 wordpress com accessed 27 December 2018 a b Dancey Peter G 22 April 2017 Soviet Aircraft Industry Fonthill Media Komissarov Sergey Russia s Ekranoplans Hinkley Midland Publishing 2002 ISBN 1 85780 146 6 Jacopo Prisco The Soviet flying beast that never really took off CNN Retrieved 26 August 2021 Bartini VVA 14 Experimental VTOL amphibian www testpilot ru Retrieved 28 May 2008 Monino AF Museum Archived from the original on 3 May 2008 Retrieved 29 May 2008 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 Allan Publishing 2010 ISBN 978 1 85780 332 7 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bartini Beriev VVA 14 VVA 14 on Google Maps Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bartini Beriev VVA 14 amp oldid 1167944604, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
