AS-2 represents a transport vehicle for the areas without roads. It was designed to be used for passenger and cargo transportation without roads on snow, ice and water and for active recreation. You will enjoy travelling by AS-2 airsleigh-amphibian due to usual “car - type” controls, efficient shock absorbers combined with the highest maneuverability and comfort levels. When moving along even snow surface AS-2 can reach speed up to 90 km/h, along quiet water- 50 km/h.
AS-2 is capable to overcome:
15o sloped areas covered with deep porous snow and snow-drifts;
pack-ice, unfrozen patches of water;
swamped surfaces covered with water with bushes up to 1 m high; pulls overgrown with grass and reed;
rivers and lakes at wave height up to 0.4 m;
shallow water up to 0.2 m deep;
sand-bars up to 100 m wide.
AS-2 airsleigh-amphibian is the third generation of the airsleigh built in TUPOLEV DB. When making the AS-2 we used rich experience of designing and operation of previous sleighs. This allowed us to create a unique vehicle which meets all current requirements to the vehicles of such class.
Main advantages of AS-2 airsleigh:
module structure;
absorbers;
out of hangar maintenance;
high evacuation capability;
wide use of production car components including car benzene engine of 150 HP operating on AI-92 benzene;
multiblade fan installed within formed ring whereby mover efficiency is increased;
small bottom damages.
The design advantageous was awarded by the certificates of degree and golden medal at International “Brussels-Evrica” Exhibition in Belgium.
President of the Russian Federation Mr. Putin has been familiarized with the AS-2 airsleigh-amphibian.
We have gained positive experience of operation of the AS-2 within mid-region zone of Russia, Ural and Astrakhan region by Russian Ministry of extraordinary situations and Ministry of Internal Affairs specialists.
Technical characteristics of AS-2 airsleigh-amphibian:
launch weight, kg
1500
length, m
5.6
width, m
2.2
height, m
2.3
engine power, HP
150
payload including operator, kg
400
cruising speed:
on snow, km/h
60
on water, km/h
40
maximal speed at the weight of 1500 kg:
on snow, km/h
90
on water, km/h
50
maximal distance endurance with payload of 400 kg, hour
8
crew size, pers.
1
passengers including operator.
4
AS-2 design and technological features
Principal design feature of AS-2 is the cockpit absorbing system relative to ski-boat. Such configuration allows to decrease the component and system load by 3,5-5 times, extend service life of the structure, reliability of the systems and components, provides high comfort level for the operator and passengers. The airsleigh structure is made of duralumin alloys. The boat bottom is coated with non-metallic coating to improve slip capacity and to decrease damage level during movement along various surface types under various weather conditions.
Multiblade propeller within formed ring serves as a mover. Four-cylinder fluid-cooled benzene car engine with direct fuel injection into cylinders is provided with integrated microprobes monitoring system. Fuel system can be converted to compressed air or liquefied natural gas if needed.
Low specific bottom load increases the AS-2 trafficability and does not damage the road surface which is of paramount importance for long-regeneration ecosystems ( rein deer pastures within sub-Arctic zones).
Use of after-propeller as a mover can minimize damaging effect on ponds flora and fauna. Car engine allows to use compressed and liquefied gas which will decrease exhaust gases toxic level and environmental affect.
The aiesleigh-amphibian is equipped with efficient control system which provides stable and precise motion on the prescribed heading along all types of roads which makes it possible to eliminate the operator extra workload during long travel on the amphibian.
AS-2 is provided with standard set of equipment:
- rigid closed cockpit with built-in safety frame to protect operator and passengers;
- absorbing system;
- windshield heating system;
- sound absorbing and fire bulkhead between engine and passenger cabin;
- master and search lights;
- cockpit heating system;
- heat and sound insulation ;
- two automatically engaged lamps for water pumping out of boat;
- windshield wiper;
- windshield washer;
- aft mooring units for towing cargo by water and snow;
Each amphibian will be subject to acceptance test at Russian River Register authorities and will be accompanied with documentation for registration at local River Register.
AS-2 cabin arrangement
During designing AS-2 developers provided a wide range of various convertible arrangements of the AS-2 cabin used for different operating tasks. Over 30 minutes baseline version of the airsleigh (operator, 3 passengers and cargo) can be converted into cargo-passenger (operator, one passenger and 250 kg cargo) or into ambulance version (operator, accompanying person and patient on stretcher).
Installation of extra equipment
The opportunity is provided to install an advantageous radio-communication and navigation equipment and individual cabin and engine heater. The engine can be changed for the one of some other manufacturer or of different power if needed.
Installation of the car engine with long TBO period , high level of maintainability of modular structure in combination with possibility to perform overhaul and component replacement under full-scale conditions make the air-sleigh operation significantly simple and cheap.
The AS-2 is provided with a wide door of guillotine type providing the passengers with easy entrance and leaving the cabin and also some extra comfort when mooring to high pierce and when people are moving along the side when the AS-2 is afloat.
Transportation of AS-2 airsleigh-amphibian
The AS-2 airsleigh-amphibian can be transported by both lorry towing and inside the lorry body.
Procedure for preparation the air-sleigh throwing to snow or water from towing trailer will take 10-15 minutes whereupon the airsleigh are available for operation. Procedure of the airsleigh hoisting on the trailer and preparation for mooring will take the same time interval.
The airsleigh is provided with opportunity of self-hoisting by means of winch.
Background of airsleigh building at TUPOLEV DB.
Designing and building of the airsleigh – is a trend laid down by the founder of the company – Andrey Tupolev. All metal airsleigh – was the first experience of Chain armor alumni use which afterwards was widely used in aircraft industry. In 1924 all metal ski-based airsleigh ANT-IV which were used for regular transportation of people and cargo along the route Cheboksary-Kanash. During the World War the Second the airsleigh were successfully used in Leningrad front for reconnaissance and troop dropping.
In the 70-s- 80-s the A-3 airsleigh of the second generation was built and operated successfully.
The main distinguishing feature of the machine is the housing made in the shape of the boat-ski and aircraft engine of 350 HP. This provided high amphibian characteristics of the airsleigh. During forty years more than 700 machines were operated by communication workers, geologists and frontier guards. The airsleighs were sold to Canada, Finland, Hungary.
If you I interested in AS-2 airsleigh and you want to test its running characteristics we are ready to render such opportunity. Don’t hesitate to contact us by Moscow telephone number (495) 263-78-87 regarding further information on AS-2 or to arrange test-drive of the airsleigh.
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