The Beriev Be-200 is a multipurpose amphibious aircraft manufactured
by Russia-based Irkut. The aircraft was developed under Irkut's first
full-scale civil programme. The Be-200 cooperation programme includes
key aviation industry companies such as Beriev Aircraft, Airbus,
EADS-Irkut Seaplane (EISP) and EADS.
The Be-200 can be configured for fire fighting, search and rescue,
maritime patrol and environmental monitoring, cargo and passenger
transportation operations. It can take off and land on unprepared
airstrips and water.
The first Be-200 test aircraft completed its maiden flight in
September 1998. Be-200ES, the first production aircraft, touched the
skies in June 2003. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations
(Emercom) was the first customer to receive an aircraft in July 2003
under seven Be-200 fire-fighting and rescue aircraft order. The Ministry
of Emergencies, Azerbaijan, took the delivery of one Be-200ES aircraft
in 2008.\
The Russian Navy plans to procure four Be-200 aircraft for
reconnaissance and search and rescue duties, with deliveries scheduled
between 2010 and 2013. The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China
is also in discussions with Russia to buy the maritime search and
rescue variant.
Beriev Be-200 amphibious aircraft design
The aircraft was designed by Beriev Aircraft and is assembled at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant of Irkut.
Designed as a multirole amphibious platform, the Be-200 can be
configured for a range of missions. The aircraft is a high-wing T-tail
monoplane with a single-step design hull. The design provides stability
in water.
The airframe is made of aluminium alloys and coated with
corrosion-protection materials. The Be-200 features significant maritime
characteristics to perform littoral and blue water operations. The
aircraft delivers flight characteristics similar to conventional
aircraft.
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