BelugaXL receives EASA Type Certification
Copyright Airbus / Photo H.Gousse / master films
The aircraft is an integral part of Airbus’ industrial system and a key enabler for production ramp-up requirements beyond 2019. The BelugaXL allows for 30% extra transport capacity being seven metres longer and one metre wider than its BelugaST predecessor.
With the largest cargo bay cross-section of all existing cargo aircraft worldwide, the BelugaXL can carry two A350 XWB wings compared to the BelugaST, which can only carry one. With a maximum payload of 51 tonnes, the BelugaXL has a range of 4,000km (2200nm).
The aircraft gets its stamp of approval following an intensive flight test campaign that saw the BelugaXL complete more than 200 flight tests, clocking over 700 flight hours. In total, six aircraft will be built between 2019 and 2023, gradually replacing the current fleet of BelugaST transporters.
Launched in November 2014, the BelugaXL is based on an A330-200 Freighter, with a large re-use of existing components and equipment, the BelugaXL is powered by Rolls Royce Trent 700 engines. The lowered cockpit, the cargo bay structure and the rear-end and tail were newly developed jointly with partners, giving the aircraft its distinctive look.
The BelugaXL is the latest addition to Airbus’ transportation portfolio. While air transport remains the primary method for transporting large aircraft components, Airbus also uses road, rail and sea transport to move parts between its production sites. Like the BelugaST, the aircraft will operate from 11 destinations in Europe, continuing strengthen industrial capabilities and enabling Airbus to deliver on its commitments.
Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engine certified to power BelugaXL
The certificate to power the new Airbus BelugaXL air transporter awarded by EASA, also marks another milestone for an engine that has been a leading member of the Trent family for almost 25 years.
The Trent 700 has established itself as the engine of choice for the Airbus A330, the basis of the BelugaXL design, which has enjoyed a 90% market share over the last four years.
Adair Swan, Rolls-Royce, Trent 700 Programme Director, Civil Aerospace, said: “Certification marks another milestone in an incredible Trent 700 journey that is an integral part of the Trent success story. We are very proud that the Trent 700 will power what will be a deeply-loved aircraft, supporting the delivery of parts to Airbus’ assembly lines across Europe.”
The Trent 700, which first entered service in 1995, has now clocked up more than 50 million engine flying hours – the equivalent of flying around the world more than 1,000 times.
More than 2,000 Trent 700s have been delivered, making it Rolls-Royce’s best-selling engine.
Rolls-Royce has drawn on its Trent 700 experience to help create the Trent 7000 engine which powers the Airbus A330neo aircraft. The Trent 7000, the seventh member of the Trent family, incorporates the latest technology from the Trent XWB.
