Beriev Be-12 Explained

The Beriev Be-12 Chayka (Russian: Бериева Бе-12 Чайка|translit=Chayka|translation=[[Seagull]], NATO reporting name: Mail) is a Soviet turboprop-powered amphibious aircraft designed in the 1950s for anti-submarine and maritime patrol duties.

Design and development

The Beriev Be-12 was a successor to the Beriev Be-6 flying boat, whose primary roles were as an anti-submarine and maritime patrol bomber aircraft. Though tracing its origins to the Be-6, the Be-12 inherited little more than the gull wing and twin oval tailfin configuration of the older aircraft. The Be-12 has turboprop engines, which gave it an improved speed and range over the Be-6.[1] The Be-12 also had retractable landing gear, which enabled it to land on normal land runways, as well as water.

The Be-12 was first flown on October 18, 1960, at Taganrog airfield, and made its first[1] public appearance at the 1961 Soviet Aviation Day festivities at Tushino airfield. A total of 150 aircraft were produced, in several variations, with production ending in 1973.

Operational history

The Be-12 entered service with Soviet Naval Aviation, or AV-MF (Aviatcia Voenno-Morskogo Flota), in the early 1960s in the maritime patrol role, and is one of the few amphibians still in military service in the world. Initially its role was ASW patrol, but when newer missiles enabled United States Navy submarines to launch from further offshore it was converted to the search and rescue role (Be-12PS). Small numbers are still in service.After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, some aircraft were converted to water bombers for the suppression of forest fires. During development of the Beriev Be-200 unique fire-fighting equipment was tested using a specially modified Be-12P, code-named "12 Yellow". After installation of the fire-fighting system, the aircraft was registered as RA-00046 and given the designation Be-12P-200. This modified Be-12 was also used to trial firefighting operations envisaged for the Be-200.[2] According to figures released in 1993, the Russian Navy had 55 aircraft in service. By 2005 this had dropped to 12, and by 2008 there were only nine aircraft still in service. A surviving Be-12 is preserved at the Central Air Force Museum at Monino, outside of Moscow. Other examples exist at the Ukraine State Aviation Museum at Kyiv, Ukraine and at the Taganrog Air Museum, in southern Russia. It has been reported that the planes have been conducting patrols along and around the Crimean coast during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[3] [4]

Variants

Be-12
  • Twin-engined maritime reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare flying-boat. 2 prototypes and 130 production airframes built.
    Be-12EKO
  • Projected ecological reconnaissance version. Not built.
    Be-12I
  • Projected scientific research version designed in 1991. Not built.
    Be-12LL
  • Conversion for testing the 3M-80 'Moskit' anti-shipping missile. Nose radar replaced with missile seeker head. One aircraft converted in 1980.
    Be-12N
  • ASW version fitted with new sensors, avionics, MAD sensor and Nartsiss search/attack system. 27 aircraft converted.
    Be-12Nkh
  • Utility transport, experimental passenger transport version. Military equipment removed, additional windows fitted. 2 built, both converted from Be-12.
    Be-12P
  • Firefighting version. One 4,500 L tank and two 750 L tanks installed. Four aircraft converted in 1992.
    Be-12P-200
  • Technology demonstrator for the Beriev Be-200. Fire-fighting configuration. One aircraft converted.
    Be-12PS
  • Maritime Search and rescue version. Life rafts and survival equipment carried. 6 crew. 10 built new, 4 converted from Be-12.
    Be-12SK
  • One aircraft converted in 1961 for use in SK-1 nuclear depth charge tests.
    Be-14
  • All weather, day/night SAR version. Additional SAR and medical equipment. 6 crew. AI-20D engines. One built.
    M-12
  • Stripped-down Be-12 used for record-setting flights. 2 Crew. Later returned to standard configuration.

    Operators

    Current operators

    Former operators

    References

    Bibliography

    Notes and References

    1. Book: Jane's All The World's Aircraft. 1975–1976. 0-354-00521-9. 488–489. Taylor. John W. R.. Macdonald and Jane's .
    2. Gordon, Sal'nikov and Zablotskiy 2006, pp. 79–80.
    3. News: Newdick . Thomas . 18 August 2022 . Russia's Rickety Be-12 Flying Boats Are Still Patrolling Off Crimea . The drive . 18 August 2022.  
    4. Web site: Russia is highly likely using an amphibious plane from the 1960s to hunt for a new threat to its Black Sea Fleet, Western intel says. Business Insider, October 2, 2023. October 2, 2023.
    5. Web site: 2022 . World Air Forces 2022 . registration . 18 March 2022 . Flightglobal . Flightglobal Insight.
    6. Web site: Mitzer . Stijn . Oliemans . Joost . Caspian Amphibians - Azerbaijan's Elusive Fleet Of Beriev Amphibious Aircraft . Oryx . 9 December 2020.
    7. Air International Magazine, August 1995, p. 88; example photo, p. 83.
    8. Web site: 'Sát thủ tàu ngầm' mạnh nhất của Không quân Hải quân Việt Nam . 18 January 2015 .

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