2023-06-14 08:00:00
Family Airbus BelugaXL saw its latest child come out in broad daylight in Toulouse, not yet dressed in its recognizable “smile” livery.
Currently registered F-WWXY, the sixth and last BelugaXL will soon join the rest of the family which entered service in early 2020, with the device becoming an integral part of the Airbus industrial system. The six planned BelugaXLs (four delivered) work alongside their BelugaST predecessors. Launched in November 2014 and after its maiden flight in July 2018, the BelugaXL – a Extensively modified A330-200Fdesigned to transport large aircraft components within the Airbus aircraft production network – received type certification from EASA in November 2019.
The BelugaXL offers 30% more transport capacity compared to its predecessor, with 7 meters in length (63m in total) and 1 meter in width more (8m in total); it has the largest cargo hold cross-section of any freighter in the world, and can carry the full wing of an A350 (compared to half a wing for the ST version).
With a maximum payload of 51 tons, and equipped with Rolls Royce Trent 700 engines, the BelugaXL has a range of 4000 km (2200 nm). Compared to its predecessor, the cockpit has been lowered, the structure of the cargo compartment as well as the rear part and the empennage of the aircraft have been newly developed “in collaboration with partners”, and give this aircraft its distinctive “smiling beluga” look.
The 6th @Airbus #BelugaXL #FWWXY is on the moved this morning at TLS ! #Avgeeks #Avgeek pic.twitter.com/RNwHrmKjcS
— Clement Alloing (@CALloing) June 12, 2023
While the Beluga XL 6, in the background on the photo, is going to be painted, the #1 is in the process of prototype/serial conversion. Many elements will be changed or revised before it is put into service. #airbus #BelugaXL #avgeeks #aviation #planespotting pic.twitter.com/4uHSVoSkTx
— Eurospot (@cliper31) June 14, 2023
@Airbus/F. Renaudet
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#6th #BelugaXL #appears