Beriev Be-200
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| Be-200 | |
|---|---|
 Beriev Be-200 |
|
| Type | Multirole amphibian |
| National origin | Russia |
| Manufacturer | Beriev/Irkut |
| Maiden flight | 24 September 1998 |
| Introduced | 2003 |
| Status | Operational |
| Primary user | Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations |
| Number built | 9 |
| Developed from | Beriev A-40 |
The Beriev Be-200 is a multipurpose amphibious aircraft being developed by the Beriev Aircraft Company as part of a cooperative project with Irkut. It is the largest fire-fighting plane in the world.[1] It is designed to lift up a record volume of water – nearly 12 tonnes.
Contents |
[edit] Development
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Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (May 2008) |
The Be-200 first flew on 24 September 1998 from the airfield of the Irkutsk Aviation and Production Association. The amphibian took off from the water on 10 September 1999 in Taganrog.
The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (MChS) was the first customer for the Be-200 and placed an order for seven Be-200ChS versions of the plane to perform fire suppression operations, search and rescue, air ambulance, and cargo operations.
The second Be-200 took off from the runway of the Irkutsk Aviation and Production Company airfield on August 27, 2002. It was built in the Be-200ChS version with an equipment set meeting the requirements of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
The Be-200ChS is manufactured in Irkutsk and the first production airplane flew on June 17, 2003. The Ministry of Emergency Situations hope to have the rest delivered by the end of 2005.
The amphibian was successfully demonstrated at international air shows in Le Bourget (France).[2]
In 2001, as part of a marketing program, the Be-200 was displayed at two large exhibitions in the Pacific Ocean region, i.e. the International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition LIMA'01 in Malaysia and the Korean Aerospace and Defence Exhibition KADE'01 in South Korea. The total flight route distance was 22,391 km, with landings in 14 cities of 8 countries.
In 2002, the Be-200 participated in international aviation exhibitions,[3] successfully demonstrating its capabilities to potential customers in France and Greece with fifteen demonstration flights made from land, eight from water, and flying over 7,600 km across Europe. Much interest was expressed in meetings with airline representatives for both the firefighting and passenger Be-200 versions.
The Be-200 project has been studied by EADS experts in terms of marketing, economic advantage, with the possibility of acquiring foreign certification with Rolls-Royce Deutschland BR-715 engines.
[edit] Design
The Design Bureau "Progress" and joint stock company "Motor Sich" in Zaporozhiye designed and manufactured a specific "maritime" corrosion-resistant version of the D-436 engine especially for the Be-200 amphibian.
The basic Be-200 version is used for aerial firefighting. Beriev also offers models with a pressurised fuselage, including transport (Be-210), passenger, patrol and other special versions. There is an anti-submarine warfare version equipped with the "Morskoy Zmey" (Sea Dragon) search and targeting system.
The multipurpose amphibian jet fills up eight containers with a total of 12 tonnes of water in just 18 seconds. It has inside four 200-litre containers with chemical substances which increase the efficiency of firefighting, when mixed with water.
[edit] Operational history
In 2006 one of these airplanes was rented by the Portuguese Fire Fighting Services (SNBPC – Serviço Nacional de Bombeiros e Protecção Civil) for evaluation during the forest fire season [3]. Good results were achieved, despite an incident that occurred when, on a scouting mission for water filling points, the airplane clipped some trees which caused engine failure and emergency landing at Monte Real Air Base. After two weeks for repairs, the aircraft completed the fire fighting season satisfactory. Such was the success of this first campaign that again in 2007 two Be-200 were rented for the same purpose, and a follow up order to buy up to 4 aircraft is expected for the newly formed government enterprise EMA (Empresa de Meios Aéreos).
In 2007, Indonesia planned to buy 2 Be-200s for firefighting unit purpose. Indonesia borrowed 2 aircraft in 2006 for the same purpose, firefighting unit and operated in Sumatra and Kalimantan.[4]
Greece is interested to buy 4 planes for fire-fighters duties and 5 more planes for maritime patrol duties.
In 2008, Azerbaijan bought one Be-200 from Russia for emergency situations in the country, with plans to buy four more from Russia [5]
[edit] Operators
- Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations
- Azerbaijan Ministry of Emergency [6]
[edit] Specifications (Be-200)
General characteristics
- Length: 32.2 m (102 ft 4 in)
- Wingspan: 31.8 m (104 ft 4 in)
- Height: ()
- Loaded weight: 37,200 kg (82,000 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 43,000 kg (94,800 lb)
- Powerplant: 2× Progress D-436TP turbofans, 7500 kgf (73.5 kN) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 710 km/h (440 mph)
- Cruise speed: 600 km/h (370 mph)
- Economy speed: 550 km/h (340 mph)
- Landing speed: 200 km/h (125 mph)
- Takeoff speed: 220 km/h (140 mph)
- Range: 2,100 km (1,300 mi)
- Ferry range: 3,850 km (2,400mi)
- Service ceiling operational 8,000 m (26,250 ft)
[edit] See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
[edit] References
- ^ RussiaToday : Features : Russian amphibian jet smashes records
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ ANGKASA No.07 Edisi April 2007 (page 17)
- ^ Azerbaijan plans to buy more Be-200.
- ^ http://economics.apa.az/en/news.php?id=34339 Azerbaijan buys Be-200 from Russia
[edit] External links
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