The Be-200 was developed by the Beriev Aircraft Company, the world's leading designer of amphibious aircraft. First operating and series Be-200 aircraft were assembled at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant – branch of IRKUT Corporation. Currently Be-200 production is organized at Beriev production facilities in cooperation with IAP.

The Be-200 is a versatile amphibious platform easily configured for a variety of missions including fire fighting, search and rescue, maritime patrol, cargo and passenger transportation. Moreover, perfected aerodynamics makes the Be-200's flight characteristics similar to those of conventional aircraft.

Programme Status

The first test sample of the Be-200 multipurpose amphibious jet took off on September 24, 1998. After thorough certification tests completed, a type certificate of limited category for the aircraft has been officially entrusted in 2001.

The Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters (EMERCOM of Russia) became the first customer of the Be-200 amphibious aircraft. On July 31, 2003 the first serial aircraft Be-200 was delivered to the customer - Russia's EMERCOM. The Irkut Corporation executes the contract on 7 Be-200 aircraft delivery for Russia's EMERCOM.

In 2008 Be-200 aircraft was delivered to EMERCOM of Azerbaijan.

Besides being operated in Russia the EMERCOM Be-200 aircraft upon the requests of other countries’ governmental agencies render assistance in fire-fighting abroad: in Italy (2004-2005), Portugal (2006-2007), Greece (2007) and Indonesia (2006).

The Be-200 has demonstrated considerable dominance of its flight-technical performance over the competitors in the efficiency of fire-fighting. In September 2010 Be-200ChS aircraft was certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Distinguishing features

The aircraft is a high-wing T-tail monoplane with a high aspect ratio hull and variable lateral deadrise angle.

The aircraft is powered by two pylon-mounted D-436TP by-pass turbojet engines. These are mounted above the wingroot pods on the landing gear fairings to prevent water spraying into the engines during take-off and landing.

The Be-200 is fitted with the state-of-the-art ARIA-200 integrated flight-navigation-communications suite, which ensures reliable piloting and navigation in any weather, in any region of the world. The ARIA-200's open architecture leaves room for reconfiguring the system to fit customer's specific requirements. Be-200 is easy to fly by a crew of two due to an advanced flight-and-navigation system and built-in automated test equipment.

Deployment options

The Be-200 operates equally well from a Class B airfield with a runway of 1,800 m long, or an open water area not less than 2,300 m long and 2.6 m deep. The Be-200 can take off from and land on water at waves up to 1.2 m high. Additionally a number of anti-corrosion precautions have been taken to protect the aircraft against the caustic effects of seawater. Requiring only a 130 x 70-m paved area ashore with a concrete slope to the water surface for its deployment, the Be-200 is ideal for remote coastal areas lacking adequate ground facilities.

Firefighting capabilities

Although designed as a multipurpose amphibious aircraft, the Be-200 is especially well suited for fire-fighting operations in remote areas. The Be-200 fire fighter suppresses natural and industrial fires by dropping water and/or chemical retardants. Eight water tanks located under the cargo cabin are filled by scooping, and alternatively, from a hydrant or a water cistern on the ground. The Be-200 scoops 12 tonnes of water in 14 seconds, while gliding on the water surface at 150 Е190 km/h. Water can be dropped in a single salvo to cover a large fire spot, or in two to eight consecutive drops (pre-programmed from the cockpit) to extinguish several small fires and to bar fire from expanding to unaffected areas.

To enhance its fire-fighting ability, the aircraft also carries six auxiliary tanks for fire-retarding chemical agents, with a total capacity of 0.8 cubic meters.

Employment versatility

On short notice, the aircraft can be converted for diverse missions with all fire-fighting capabilities retained.

The Be-200 search-and-rescue variant can perform 6.5h-long patrol missions at a range up to 370 km. Additional equipment includes an inflatable boat, thermal vision and optical surveillance means, and medical equipment. The search-and-rescue aircraft can accommodate up to 45 persons.

On short notice, the aircraft can reconfigured to perform medical evacuation missions. In this case, it will be capable of accommodating up to 40 stretcher casualties accompanied by medical personnel with in-flight diagnostics and resuscitation equipment.

The cargo variant is fitted with floor-mounted cargo handling equipment to expedite loading, unloading, and fastening of cargoes being transported in standard containers, or pallets. The Be-200's range with a 6.5-t payload and 1-h fuel reserve is 1,250 km.

The passenger version transports up to 68 passengers at 1,400-km distance. The crew is augmented by two flight attendants.

Basic characteristics

Dimensions: length / height / wing span, m	32.05 / 8.9 / 32.78
Sealed cabin volume, cubic meter	80.8
Cruise speed, km/h	550
Maximum speed, km/h	680
Rate of climb, maximum take-off weight, sea level, two engines operative, m/s	12.2
Service ceiling, m	8,100
Ferry range with 1-h fuel reserve, km	3,300
Scooping time of 12,000 kg at 180 km/h	14
Seaworthiness, Sea State	3
Maximum wave height, m	1.2
Minimal depth, m	2.6
Engines                                                                                                                         D-436TP; 2 x 7,650 kgf
Maximum take-off weight:
- runway, kg	41,000
- afterscooping weight, kg	43,000
Maximum landing weight:
- runway, kg	35,000
- water, kg	37,900
Maximum retardants reserve, kg	800
Fuel reserve, l	12,500

Contact Information

125315, 68, Bldg. 1, Leningradsky prospekt, Moscow, 125315, Russia
phone / fax: +7 (495) 777-21-01, e-mail: inbox@irkut.com