00:59Russia: Advanced flying boat proves its mettle
Russia: Advanced flying boat proves its mettle
The Russian Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Emergency Situations held a series of joint tactical exercises with the Northern Fleet in Kola Bay on Thursday, testing the capabilities of the new BE-220ES seaplane. The flying boat was used as part of counter-piracy simulations as well as quelling towering flames on oil platforms, ships and flying rescue missions.
The Be-200ES is equipped with tanks that can hold up to 12 tons of water, or chemically-treated liquids used in fire-fighting. The tanks can either be filled while the plane sits on the runway, or during flight by skimming the surface of bodies of water. The manufacturer quotes a top speed for the plane of up to 710 kilometres per hour, at a maximum operational distance of 3,600km.
The new model was developed by the Beriev Aircraft company, and first entered service in 2003. Designed for a multi-purpose role including passenger transportation, fire-fighting and search and resuce, the plane is sometimes referred by its nickname, the Altair.
At the end of May 2013 the United Aircraft Corporation announced a contract in which six Be-200 amphibious aircraft will be supplied to the Russian Ministry of Defense. The value of the contract amounted to 8.4 billion rubles. Reports have said that the Ministry may be considering the purchase of a further eight models.
00:59Russia: Advanced flying boat proves its mettle
The Russian Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Emergency Situations held a series of joint tactical exercises with the Northern Fleet in Kola Bay on Thursday, testing the capabilities of the new BE-220ES seaplane. The flying boat was used as part of counter-piracy simulations as well as quelling towering flames on oil platforms, ships and flying rescue missions.
The Be-200ES is equipped with tanks that can hold up to 12 tons of water, or chemically-treated liquids used in fire-fighting. The tanks can either be filled while the plane sits on the runway, or during flight by skimming the surface of bodies of water. The manufacturer quotes a top speed for the plane of up to 710 kilometres per hour, at a maximum operational distance of 3,600km.
The new model was developed by the Beriev Aircraft company, and first entered service in 2003. Designed for a multi-purpose role including passenger transportation, fire-fighting and search and resuce, the plane is sometimes referred by its nickname, the Altair.
At the end of May 2013 the United Aircraft Corporation announced a contract in which six Be-200 amphibious aircraft will be supplied to the Russian Ministry of Defense. The value of the contract amounted to 8.4 billion rubles. Reports have said that the Ministry may be considering the purchase of a further eight models.