https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beriev_Be-200
The Beriev Be-200 Altair is a multipurpose amphibious aircraft designed by the
Beriev Aircraft Company and manufactured by Irkut. Marketed as being designed
for fire fighting, search and rescue, maritime patrol, cargo, and passenger
transportation, it has a capacity of 12 tonnes (12,000 litres, 3,170 US gallons)
of water, or up to 72 passengers.
Beriev developed unique fire-fighting equipment for the Be-200, allowing it to
scoop water while skimming the water surface at 90-95% of takeoff speed. This
system was developed using a specially modified Be-12P, coded '12 Yellow'. After
installation of the fire-fighting system, the aircraft was registered RA-00046
and given the designation Be-12P-200. This modified Be-12 was used to develop
both the fire-fighting system and methods of operation.
The Be-200 fire-fighter suppresses fires by dropping water and/or chemical
retardants. Eight ferric aluminium alloy water tanks are located under the cabin
floor in the centre fuselage section. Four retractable water scoops, two forward
and two aft of the fuselage step can be used to scoop a total of 12 tonnes of
water in 14 seconds. Alternatively, the tanks can be filled from a hydrant or a
water cistern on the ground. The water tanks can be removed quickly for carrying
cargo. Water can be dropped in a single salvo, or in up to eight consecutive
drops. The aircraft also carries six auxiliary tanks for fire-retarding chemical
over the site of a fire in 0.8 to 1.0 seconds when flying above the minimum drop
speed of 220 km/h (135 mph, 120 kn)
Role
Multirole amphibian
National origin
Russia
Manufacturer
Irkut
Designer
Beriev
First flight
24 September 1998
Introduction
31 July 2003
Status
Operational / In production
Primary user
EMERCOM
Number built
12
Developed from
Beriev A-40
The first documented operational use of the Be-200 was from 20 August till 30
September 2004. For this period a Be-200ES was operated from Sardinia (Italy) by
SOREM, the official operator of fire-fighting equipment of Italian Civil Defense
Department (Protezione Civile). The aircraft, flown by joint Russian-Italian
flight crew performed more than 100 flights with about 90 hours flown. During
seven hours of operational flights, the aircraft participated in the
extinguishing of four forest fires and dropped 324 tons of water
A Be-200 was dispatched by Russia in January 2015 to assist in search and
recovery operations following the loss of Indonesia AirAsia Flight 8501 in the
Java Sea. On October 20, 2015, two Be-200s were used by the Indonesian
government to fight a forest fire in Sumatra.
In August 2016 two Be-200 aircraft were sent to Portugal after being asked for
help in extinguishing forest fires. Four days later it was reported that thanks
to the work of the Russian Emergencies Ministry Be-200 pilots, the fire was
with a population of 1,000 people and Viaden de Baixo, where 15 farms were saved
Specifications (Be-200)
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 32.0 m (105 ft 0 in)
Wingspan: 32.8 m (107 ft 7 in)
Height: 8.9 m (29 ft 2 in)
Empty weight: 27,600 kg (60,850 lb)
Max Take Off Weight (Land): 41,000 kg (90,390 lb)
Max Take Off Weight (Water): 37,900 kg (83,550 lb)
Max Capacity (Water or Retardant): 12,000 kg (26,450 lb)
Max Capacity (Cargo): 7,500 kg (16,530 lb)
Max Capacity (Passengers): 44 (Be-200ES) 72 (Be-210)
Performance
Maximum speed: 700 km/h (435 mph)
Cruise speed: 560 km/h (348 mph)
Economy speed: 550 km/h (342 mph)
Landing speed: 200 km/h (124 mph)
Takeoff speed: 220 km/h (137 mph)
Range: 2,100 km (1,305 mi)
Ferry range (One Hour Reserve): 3,300 km (2,051 mi)
Service ceiling: 8,000 m (26,246 ft)
Avionics
ARIA 200-M integrated avionics system.
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