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Beluga

For outsized cargo transport

Featuring one of the most voluminous cargo holds of any civil or military aircraft flying today, the Airbus Beluga offers a unique way to transport oversized air cargo. Also known as A300-600ST Super Transporter, the company’s five existing Belugas play a key role in keeping its production and assembly network operating at full capacity, with the fleet’s overall pace of operations – managed by the Airbus Transport International (ATI) subsidiary – growing to support production ramp-ups.

In 2020, Airbus began phasing in its fleet of six new-generation BelugaXL versions – which will operate in parallel with the five in-service A300-600STs before replacing them completely.

Key figures Beluga ST

Overall length 56.15 m 184 ft 3 in

Height 17.24 m 56 ft 7 in

Wing span 44.84 m 147 ft 2 in

Dimensions

Overall length	56.15 m
Cabin length	37.7 m
Fuselage width	7.31 m
Max cabin width	5.28 m
Wing span (geometric)	44.84 m
Height	17.24 m
Track	11.05 m
Wheelbase	11.05 m

Performance

Max take-off weight	155 tonnes
Max landing weight	144 tonnes
Max zero fuel weight	133.5 tonnes
Max fuel capacity	23 860 litres

Dimensions

Overall length	184 ft 3 in
Cabin length	123 ft 8 in
Fuselage width	24 ft 0 in
Max cabin width	17 ft 4 in
Wing span (geometric)	147 ft 2 in
Height	56 ft 7 in
Track	25 ft 0 in
Wheelbase	36 ft 25 in

Performance

Max take-off weight	341 (713) lb x 1000
Max landing weight	308.6 lb x 1000
Max zero fuel weight	294 5 (314) lb x 1000
Max fuel capacity	6 303 USG

Aircraft weights and capabilities shown are the highest values. Ranges shown are for typical passenger load.

Airlifter extraordinaire

With more than 20 years of reliable service, the Beluga carries complete sections of Airbus aircraft from different production sites around Europe to the final assembly lines in Toulouse, France and Hamburg, Germany. The five-aircraft fleet of A300-600ST Belugas – operated by the Airbus Transport International (ATI) subsidiary – transports fuselage sections, wings and tails for Airbus’ single-aisle A320 and wide-body A330 families, along with parts for the A350 XWB.

ATI ensures a high level of customer satisfaction with loading, unloading, and delivery designed to be fast, safe, flexible, and reliable – as demonstrated by over two decades of successful operations throughout the world.

Expanding capabilities: BelugaXL

To support the A350 XWB ramp-up and other production rate increases, Airbus is replacing its five-aircraft A300-600ST fleet with six BelugaXL aircraft, derived from the company’s versatile A330 wide-body product line.

In addition to the significant use of existing components and equipment, Airbus’ A330-based BelugaXLs incorporate newly-developed elements including its lowered cockpit, a highly-enlarged cargo bay structure, and modified rear and tail section.

Sized at seven metres longer and one metre wider than its BelugaST predecessor, the BelugaXL provides 30% extra transport capacity. As an example, the BelugaXL can carry two wings of an A350 XWB jetliner, while the BelugaST can only accommodate one. With a maximum payload of 51 tonnes, the BelugaXL has a range of 4,000 km (2,200 nm).

The BelugaXL performed its maiden flight in 2018. Type Certification for the Airbus airlifter was issued in November 2019 by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which paved the way for the first BelugaXL’s service entry two months later in January 2020.

As with the BelugaST, the BelugaXL fleet will operate from 11 destinations in Europe, continuing to strengthen Airbus’ industrial capabilities and enabling the company to meet its production and delivery commitments.

Speed and efficiency

Beluga combines outsized cargo-carrying capability with the speed and efficiency of Airbus’s A300-600 airliner. It enables short transport times for production, and the large main cargo deck minimizes the need for payload breakdown, crating and packaging.

The semi-automated main deck cargo loading system ensures easy and efficient handling of payloads, controlled by the trained crews of Airbus Transport International – which operates the five-aircraft Beluga fleet.

Flight deck

The Beluga retains the same modern flight deck that is in worldwide operation on Airbus A300-600s and A310s.

It is operated by a three-member crew comprising two pilots and a loadmaster. The main instrument panel incorporates six cathode ray tube (CRT) displays that continuously provide flight, navigation and systems-monitoring information in a clear, comprehensive manner.

Also included in the cockpit are controls for a transportable heating module that can be installed in the main deck cargo compartment. The module provides temperature-controlled conditions for sensitive payloads carried by the Beluga, including satellites and paintings.