Airbus BelugaXL
| Airbus Beluga XL | |
|---|---|
| File:Airbus Beluga XL rendering.jpg | |
| Computer rendering of Beluga XL | |
| Role | Outsize cargo freight aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Airbus |
| First flight | Expected 2018[1] |
| Introduction | Expected 2019[2] |
| Status | Under development |
| Primary user | Airbus Transport International |
| Produced | 2016-present |
| Developed from | Airbus A330-200 |
The Airbus Beluga XL is a planned large transport aircraft based on the A330-200 airliner, to be the successor to the Airbus Beluga. The XL has an extension on the fuselage top like the Beluga. It is being designed, built and will be operated by Airbus to move oversized aircraft parts. The program was launched in November 2014 to build five aircraft, with 30% more capacity than the existing five Belugas. It will be able to carry two A350 XWB wings instead of one. The design freeze was announced on 16 September 2015.[3] The first section has arrived in Toulouse in November 2016.[4] Final assembly started on 8 December 2016.[5]
The aircraft's lower fuselage will be assembled on the A330 final assembly line. It will then be moved to another facility for the year-long process of assembling the upper fuselage and the lowered nose fuselage. The first Beluga XL will enter service in 2019. The new aircraft will be 6 metres longer and one metre wider than the Beluga, and will be able to lift a payload six tons heavier. The existing Belugas will not be withdrawn from service when the Beluga XL is introduced; a mixed fleet is to operate for at least five years. The increased production rate of single-aisle aircraft requires the ability to move more parts.[6]
Specifications
Data from [3]
General characteristics
- Capacity: 53 t (117,000 lb) payload
- Length: 63.1 m (207 ft 0 in)
- Wingspan: 60.3 m (197 ft 10 in)
- Height: 18.9 m (62 ft 0 in)
- Wing area: 361.6 m2 (3,892 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 10.1
- Max takeoff weight: 227,000 kg (500,449 lb)
- Maximum landing weight: 187 t (412,000 lb)
- Maximum zero fuel weight: 178 t (392,000 lb)
- Fuselage diameter: 8.8 m (29 ft)
- Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Trent 700 Turbofan, 316 kN (71,000 lbf) thrust each
Performance
- Range: 4,100 km (2,500 mi, 2,200 nmi) at max payload
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Airbus Beluga
- Antonov An-225
- Antonov An-124
- Aero Spacelines Super Guppy
- Aero Spacelines Pregnant Guppy
- Boeing Dreamlifter
References
- ^ "Airbus prepares Beluga XL core for integration". Flightglobal. 6 January 2017.
- ^ "Development milestone: Integration begins for Airbus' next-generation Beluga XL" (Press release). Airbus. 6 January 2017.
- ^ a b "Beluga XL programme achieves design freeze" (Press release). Airbus. 16 September 2015.
- ^ "Like Matryoshka dolls: the 1st section of the #BelugaXL has arrived in Toulouse". Twitter. Airbus. 3 November 2016.
- ^ "Final assembly of the 1st of 5 #BelugaXL has just started in Toulouse". Twitter. Airbus. 8 December 2016.
- ^ Jens Flottau (24 November 2015). "New Airbus Beluga Fleet To Enter Service In 2019". Aviation Week. pp. 38–39.