Russian engineers plan to resume production of amphibious aircraft Albatros, which was designed in the 1980s but after disintegration of the USSR its production was discontinued, Russian news agency reports.
A-40 Albatros (Mermaid by NATO reporting name) was a unique aircraft, the largest of its class in the world. It will still be the largest if its production is resumed. Its takeoff weight is over 90 tons which is comparable to passenger planes.
China’s amphibious aircraft AG600 has been tested and at the moment is the world’s largest. That aircraft is still inferior to Albatros in many respects, including dimensions and cargo capacity. Its takeoff weight is under 55 tons.
“At the moment, NATO is deploying its military bases near Russia’s borders, so a need for a plane like that may arise, since it has a substantial payload, and can take off and land on both land and water at sea disturbance. So it can accomplish certain combat missions. Besides, it may be employed as a fire fighting airplane which can be of great help when there are big forest fires in the east of the country. In addition, it can transport any non-military cargos”, Victor Pryadka, CEO at Alliance of Aviation Technologies Avintel, said.