Flying whale Airbus A300-600ST Beluga

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When you first see an Airbus A300-600ST, the most neutral thing that comes to mind is how strange it is! This aircraft definitely cannot boast an attractive or elegant appearance. Looking at him, you do not even believe that this car can still fly. Airbus A300-600ST (ST stands for Super Transporter) is also known by another name Airbus Beluga. The name Beluga comes from the shape of the body of the aircraft, which by its appearance resembles a whale-beluga whale (English beluga, not to be confused with the beluga). The A300-600ST Beluga is a wide-body jet transport aircraft for the transport of bulky goods. It is a twin-engine nizkoplan with swept wing and single tail fin. Currently, all 5 of such aircraft are released, all of them are operated mainly by Airbus.

The aircraft was first introduced to the general public in 1995, as part of the Le Bourget Air Show. On a hot June 1995 day of the year, tens of thousands of visitors to the legendary air show, with their heads up to the sky, watched the demonstration flights. On the announcement of the cabin announcer that a Beluga transport aircraft was preparing for takeoff, few people noticed that the emotions from previous flights had not cooled. But when this unusual plane flew into the sky, the crowd could not hold back the emotions and exclamations of amazement, which were mixed with universal delight. The Humpback Monster, which on the ground looked so clumsy, easily and gracefully took off, elegantly shook its wings and landed confidently. Landing the plane was met by a storm of applause. Airbus A300-600ST has become a real star at the 1995 air show of the year.



With this project, Airbus hoped to create a new airliner that was supposed to meet the needs of the growing production of the corporation. The aircraft was planned to be used for transportation by air of large-sized parts of fuselages collected by the company of airliners. The car, which received the official nickname Beluga, has replaced the outdated by the time Boeing Super Guppy aircraft. The aircraft manufacturer used these planes to transport parts of the aircraft between the company's enterprises, which were located in different parts of Europe. It is worth noting that in 1990-ies, the intensity of the work of the plants of the Airbus company was so high that the first Airbus A300-600ST made 60 departures a week, traveling between the 11 plants of the company. In the month of the aircraft could make up to 250 departures.

The main purpose of the new transport aircraft was the transportation of oversized cargo. This unusual transporter was created by Airbus specialists on the basis of a typical wide-body glider, which was used for the production of A300 passenger aircraft. Airbus today is one of the largest aircraft manufacturers in the world, occupying a significant part of the market for the production of civilian aircraft. Company enterprises are located in many European countries. The main production facilities of the company are concentrated in Germany, France, Spain and the UK. At the same time, the final assembly of the aircraft is carried out at the company's plants in Hamburg (Germany) and Toulouse (France). Parts of airliners, which are produced in four countries, are transported to the head factories by air for final assembly. The A300-600ST Beluga aircraft was created for their rapid transportation.



From the very beginning of the project for the production of aircraft under the Airbus brand (as early as 1970-s), four Boeing Stratocruisers aircraft were used to deliver aircraft components, but with the development and expansion of aircraft production, the capabilities of these machines turned out to be insufficient. Therefore, in 1991, the leadership of the Airbus Air Concern decided to create a company that would create a new cargo aircraft designed to transport oversized cargo by air. As a basis, it was decided to use the wide-body twin-engine Airbus A300, which was substantially redesigned for the transportation of air components. The diameter of the cargo section of the fuselage was brought to the 7,1 meter. The front of the aircraft was also changed. For example, the nose section received a completely new design, a special system was installed, which allowed the cockpit to be tilted at the time of loading the aircraft, the tail section of the liner was also strengthened to ensure stability during the flight.

The volume of the cargo compartment of the unusual aircraft was increased to 1400 cubic meters, and the maximum length of cargo transported in the aircraft can be up to 40 meters. The increased diameter of the cargo compartment and payload in 47 tons expanded the capabilities of the aircraft in comparison with those used before the Super Guppy. In addition, the flight speed has almost doubled. On the new aircraft, it was decided to abandon the fuselage "on the clasps." The cockpit and the entire nose was lowered down a bit, so that it does not interfere with the processes of loading and unloading cargo. The semi-automatic loading system installed on the aircraft allows to carry out all the necessary operations even with the largest and most massive cargo in just 45 minutes.



In addition to the main cargo compartment, which is mainly used to transport parts of assembled aircraft, the Airbus A300-600ST has a compartment that can be used to transport standard aviation containers. At the same time, outwardly, Beluga differs very much from its progenitor, although 80% consists of parts and components of the A300 passenger airbus. Most of all, the aircraft fuselage was modified, which led to the appearance of the whale name for the aircraft. At the same time, the tail unit of the aircraft became higher, and additional washers appeared on the stabilizer, which were designed to improve the directional stability of the machine.

The plane is lifted into the sky by two GE CF6-80C2A8 turbojet engines from General Electric. They are significantly weaker than the P&W PW4000 engines used in the original Airbus A300 passenger aircraft. However, the power of the existing two engines is quite enough to lift a rather large aircraft into the air. Especially considering that in the vast majority of cases it transports oversized, but not very heavy loads.



The cockpit of a transport aircraft is completely identical to that on the A300-600 aircraft. The bow section was equipped with everything that may be required for comfortable work of the crew during the flight and during the stay on the ground. In particular, there are two chairs for accompanying cargo, sleeping cabin, toilet and even a small kitchen. When the aircraft is fully loaded, which is 47 tons, the machine can travel 1700 kilometers by air at a speed of 750 km / h (Mach 0,7). At half load (26 tons), the maximum range increases to 4600 kilometers.

The Airbus A300-600ST Beluga aircraft were built in very limited editions. A total of 5 such aircraft were assembled. However, all 5 machines are used almost exclusively for the needs of Airbus. But for the implementation of special transport operations, customers can rent this transport aircraft from the subsidiary of the concern - Airbus Transport Internationa. The services of this "daughter" Airbus has repeatedly used the German military. Currently, the European aircraft manufacturer carries out a set of research aimed at creating a new transport model of this type of aircraft. This time based on the new Airbus A340 airliner. The new aircraft, like its predecessor Beluga, will be used to transport components of liners under construction.



Flight specifications A300-600ST:
Overall dimensions: length - 56,15 m, height - 17,24 m, wing span - 44,84 m, wing area - 122,4 m2.
The diameter of the fuselage - 3,95 m, cargo bay - 7,1 m.
Empty weight - 86 t.
Maximum take-off weight - 155 t.
Flight range with cargo 26 tons - 4632 km.
The power plant is a General Electric engine 2 CF6-80C2A8.
Cargo weight - up to 47 t.
The volume of the cargo compartment - 1410 m3.
Cruising flight speed - 750 km / h.
Practical ceiling - 10 700 m.
Runway Length - 1950 m.
Run length - 1180 m.
Crew - 2 person.

Information sources:
http://avia.pro/blog/airbus-beluga-a300-600
http://www.airwar.ru/enc/aliner/a300st.html
http://unikteh.ru/2011/a300-600st-beluga
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38 comments
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  1. +4
    3 November 2015 06: 25
    What is he ... non-standard, strange or something. Immediately the anecdote comes to mind "... and now our crew will try to lift all this Halabuda into the sky ..."
    1. +1
      3 November 2015 10: 41
      Bobby with his sausage is also not far gone.

      Pay attention to the special support under the tail, without which it does not open. laughing
      1. jjj
        -5
        3 November 2015 11: 42
        It is necessary to think of such a logistics supply of components and components for the construction of aircraft. Funny these Europeans. Although at each stage a significant number of hungry people can attach themselves to financial flows
      2. The comment was deleted.
      3. +1
        3 November 2015 14: 03
        Quote: Telakh
        Bobby with his sausage is also not far gone.
        The BOEING 747 DREAMLIFTER is used exclusively for transporting parts of the Boeing 787. On September 9, 2006 the first flight of the aircraft took place, which by this time received the new name Dreamlifter, in consonance with the name of the 787 Dreamliner aircraft, of which it was supposed to transport parts from all over the world to Everett (Washington) for final assembly. The second aircraft, N780BA, made its first flight on February 16, 2007. Work on the third aircraft began in 2007. The first two Dreamlifters were commissioned in 2007 to transport parts of the 787 Dreamliner. The fourth Boeing 747 Large Cargo Freighter Dreamlifter was launched in February 2010.
        Wing delivery dates for the Boeing 787 from Japan were reduced from 30 days by sea to 8 hours of flight at 747 LCF.
      4. The comment was deleted.
      5. gjv
        0
        4 November 2015 11: 14
        From the very beginning of the implementation of the project for the production of aircraft under the Airbus brand (back in the 1970s), four Boeing Stratocruisers were used to deliver aircraft components



        And also Aero Spacelines 377-SG Super Guppy

    2. +2
      3 November 2015 20: 47
      Quote: ussrex
      and now our crew will try to lift all this halabuda into the sky ... "

      As you see, it rises and flies! smile
  2. +6
    3 November 2015 07: 00
    AN-225 Flight performance:
    Crew, prs: 6
    Wingspan, m: 88,4
    Length, m: 84
    Height, m: 18,2
    Wing Area, m²: 905
    Weight:
    empty aircraft, kg: 250
    maximum take-off, kg: 640
    Deadlift thrust, kH: 1377
    Fuel mass, normal, kg: 300
    Cruising speed, km / h: 850
    Distance flight:
    practical, km: 15
    practical with a load of 200 tons, km: 4000
    Practical ceiling, m: 12 000
    Payload, kg: up to 250


    Engine
    Engine type: Turbofan
    Model: "D-18T"
    Link:
    take-off mode, kgf: 6 × 23 430
    cruising mode, kgf: 6 × 4860
    Engine weight, kg: 6 × 4100
    Specific fuel consumption
    cruising mode, kg / kgf · h: 0,57-0,63
    take-off mode, kg / kgf · h: 0,34
    Overhaul resource, h: 6000
    Dimensions:
    length mm: 5400
    Diameter, mm: 2330
    1. +8
      3 November 2015 13: 28
      Dimensions of the An-225 cargo compartment: Cargo compartment parameters: 6,4 m - width, 43 m - length, 4,4 m - height. The diameter of the A300-600ST Beluga's cargo compartment is 7,1 m. As you can see, it is much larger. The aircraft is not intended to carry bricks and compete in carrying capacity, but to perform very specific tasks - the transportation of oversized cargo between aviation enterprises, which it successfully copes with. So yours - "and we have more and thicker", in this case, out of place hi
      1. 0
        3 November 2015 17: 08
        well, that is, the A300-600 Boeing will fit, but in An-225 in any way, only if you chop it very hard
      2. +1
        4 November 2015 14: 58
        width and diameter are two different things
  3. ICT
    +9
    3 November 2015 07: 23
    Quote: bionik
    bionik


    it seems like it was something about Chamberlain or have I got glitches in the morning? .

    our analogue is rather like this
    1. +1
      3 November 2015 14: 09
      Quote: TIT
      our analogue is rather like this

      Well, nothing in common! A bomber adapted for transportation of the "Energia" fuel tank on an external mount and a specialized aircraft for the transportation of oversized cargo inside the fuselage! request
  4. FID
    +11
    3 November 2015 09: 02
    Why compare "Beluga" with our heavyweights ??? After all, it is indicated that it is intended for the transportation of "oversized, LIGHTWEIGHT cargo". We have no planes of this class, no.
    1. 0
      3 November 2015 09: 49
      It was. VM-T (the above has already been written about him)
      1. FID
        +2
        3 November 2015 11: 56
        Quote: Bersaglieri
        It was. VM-T (the above has already been written about him)

        They have 2 motors and 4 motors with us, inside their fuselage and on the external suspension ... Why compare the incomparable? I do not understand...
        1. +5
          3 November 2015 13: 32
          Quote: SSI
          Why compare the incomparable? I do not understand...

          Costs of "urya-patriotism"!
  5. +4
    3 November 2015 11: 10
    It seems to me that both in terms of the volume of the cargo compartment and in the mass of the cargo is inferior to the good old AN-124
    And this pepelats was created not for transporting abstract cargo, but for transporting components of airliners between aircraft factories. In the photo Ksati it is clearly visible. After all, Europeans, for the sake of solidarity and jobs, assemble planes as a designer, throughout Europe
    Pay attention to the device for unloading cargo from a "well-located" cargo compartment, this is not available at every airfield =)
    1. +1
      3 November 2015 13: 45
      Quote: SUSUL
      . After all, Europeans, for the sake of solidarity and jobs, assemble planes as a designer, throughout Europe

      And rivet them like baked cakes. Airbus launched 2014 aircraft at its facilities in 629!
      Quote: SUSUL
      It seems to me that both in terms of the volume of the cargo compartment and in the mass of the cargo is inferior to the good old AN-124

      An-124. The cargo compartment has a height of 4,4 m, its width on the floor reaches 6,4 m, and the length is 36,5 m. Payload - up to 150 tons.
      The cargo compartment has a diameter of 7.1 m. The maximum length of the transported cargo is 40 m. Payload - up to 47 tons.
  6. +8
    3 November 2015 13: 18
    An interesting aircraft designed for certain purposes and no longer claiming anything. Work loaded to the eyeballs. Spare parts for Watermelons are transported by sea and river, by land and by air. Informing, at existing factories, making an airplane is probably cheaper than building a new production. Some assembly nodes were made both in Voronezh and in Irkutsk.
  7. 0
    3 November 2015 13: 34
    Well, nifiga, what kind of bread slicer is it, like a flying shark monster ...
  8. 0
    3 November 2015 13: 48
    Our aircraft industry will stand on its feet, Khan Airbus will be with such costs and logistics. That strangle our aircraft industry. Often you have to fly, offensively, some airbuses and Boeings, and our carcasses, Ilya are lonely on the outskirts of airports. Once in April I flew from Moscow to Makhachkala on a superjet, I liked very much, a comfortable, convenient plane.
    1. +3
      3 November 2015 16: 14
      "khana airbus will have such costs and logistics" ///

      That's when the Chinese will enter the civil aviation market
      Khan will be everything belay . And Boeing, and Europeans, and Russians will have to strain
      "nedezzi".
      They rolled out their first airliner the other day.
      1. 0
        4 November 2015 01: 45
        Quote: voyaka uh
        Khan will be everything. And Boeing, and Europeans, and Russians will have to strain
        "nedezzi".



        So there will be an incentive to be in motion.
        1. 0
          4 November 2015 02: 04
          Or from Lockheed Martin:
      2. The comment was deleted.
      3. gjv
        +1
        4 November 2015 10: 27
        Quote: voyaka uh
        And Boeing, and Europeans, and Russians will have to strain "nedezzy." They rolled out their first liner the other day

        On November 2, the first flight copy of the C919 airliner was rolled out - an analogue and, as the Chinese dream, a competitor of the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737.
        Oh, where is our MS-21? ...



        According to a Comac spokesman, a pre-order has already been received from 21 customers for a total of 517 such aircraft. The predicted price of C919 is in the range from 26 to 68 million dollars, which is 40-50% lower than Airbuses and Boeing.
  9. +2
    3 November 2015 15: 28
    Our aircraft industry will stand on its feet, Khan Airbus will be with such costs and logistics. That strangle our aircraft industry. Often you have to fly, offensively, some airbuses and Boeings, and our carcasses, Ilya are lonely on the outskirts of airports. Once in April I flew from Moscow to Makhachkala on a superjet, I liked very much, a comfortable, convenient plane.


    It’s so easy for him not to get up. Unfortunately, the market has narrowed, Boeing and Airbass have taken apart all the fatty pieces, plus good and high-quality service around the world has been established.

    Boeing, for example, only makes 737 about 50 pieces per month, and for 700 aircraft per year one (albeit the most popular) model. Due to such volumes and costs, this is not possible in the small-scale production, which we practice, for the 1-2 aircraft in the same model year.
    1. 0
      3 November 2015 21: 46
      If domestic air carriers are "obliged" to have at least 50-70% of domestic equipment in their fleet, then there will be no khans. And in the light of recent (and not only tragic) events, this is quite possible.
      Would have enough will ...
      Respectfully..
      PS It is easy to economically impose, commercially liberal, since sanctions, market protection, taxes, again ...
      1. +1
        3 November 2015 22: 50
        Ask Medvedev and Nabiullina ..
        They need it ..!?!
        We and China are "cutlets" ..
      2. +3
        4 November 2015 07: 05
        Quote: Lekov L
        . Easy to knit

        When they oblige them to take products from one manufacturer, it simply ruins them and the quality starts to drop right away, and you can completely forget about the improvement - why if they take it anyway? This has already passed. hi
      3. +1
        4 November 2015 08: 31
        Ingenious. Require the use of aircraft that are worse both in terms of performance characteristics and safety.
  10. 0
    3 November 2015 16: 05
    What power should these two engines have in order to carry such a dimensional cargo? Typically, cargo aircraft are 4-engine.
    1. +2
      3 November 2015 18: 09
      Quote: Lt. air force reserve
      What power should these two engines have in order to carry such a dimensional cargo?

      2 turbojet engine General Electric CF6-80C2A8
      Thrust, kgf 2 x 25420
  11. +3
    3 November 2015 18: 12
    Cargo compartment Airbus A300-600ST Beluga.
  12. aba
    +1
    3 November 2015 19: 42
    It is a pity that our aircraft industry collapsed ... :(
    1. +4
      3 November 2015 21: 48
      Let us still pray for good health, not for the rest.
      Not as much as we would like but remained.
      May God give them strength and health ...
  13. 0
    6 November 2015 07: 18
    A vivid photo at the end of the article, what is all the same "Rusia" beautiful in comparison with this squalor! As someone said, not a beautiful plane can not fly, I wonder where infa on its transported cargo traffic ..))) !?
  14. 0
    5 January 2018 00: 45
    Who will explain how an airplane can make 250 flights a month ??? request request request What for propaganda?

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