The Arkhangelsky Ar-2 was a Soviet dive bomber developed during World War II as an advanced iteration of the Tupolev SB. Spearheaded by Alexander Arkhangelsky, who led the design team during Andrei Tupolev's imprisonment, the Ar-2 aimed to extend the operational capabilities of its predecessor. Introduced in 1940, the aircraft featured several significant modifications including more powerful engines, streamlined engine nacelles, enhanced wing design, and a new cooling system integrated within the wings. It was also equipped with a modern bombsight for improved dive-bombing accuracy. Although it boasted superior handling and dive-bombing performance compared to the Tupolev SB, the Ar-2 fell short of its projected speed goals and faced issues with engine reliability and defensive armament. With only 190 units produced, the Ar-2's production was soon overtaken by more advanced models like the Petlyakov Pe-2, leading to a brief operational tenure. The design's legacy concluded as Arkhangelsky shifted focus to aircraft maintenance at the onset of the German invasion in 1941.
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13 апр 2024
