Featuring one of the most voluminous cargo holds of any civil or military aircraft flying today, the Airbus BelugaST 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.
The BelugaST’s maiden flight took place in September, 1994 and was awarded certification from the airworthiness authority in October 1995.
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.
56.16 m / 184 ft 3 in
17.25 m / 56 ft 7 in
44.84 m / 147 ft 2 in
Dimensions
| Overall length | 56.16 m |
| Height | 17.25 m |
| Wing span | 44.84 m |
| Fuselage width | 7.7 m |
| Loadable volume length | 39.1 m |
| Loadable cross-section max height | 7.1 m |
| Loadable cross-section max width | 7.1 m |
Performance
| Max payload | 47 tonnes |
| Max range | 1,650 km |
| Max take-off weight | 155 tonnes |
| Max landing weight | 140 tonnes |
| Max zero fuel weight | 133.8 tonnes |
| Max fuel capacity (density = 0.803) | 23,860 litres |
Dimensions
| Overall length | 184 ft 3 in |
| Height | 56 ft 7 in |
| Wing span | 147 ft 2 in |
| Loadable volume length | 128 ft 3 in |
| Loadable cross-section max width | 23 ft 3 in |
| Loadable cross-section max height | 23 ft 3 in |
| Loadable cross-section max width | 23 ft 3 in |
Performance
| Max payload | 103,617 lb |
| Max range | 892 nm |
| Max take-off Weight | 341,716 lb |
| Max landing weight | 308,647 lb |
| Max zero fuel weight | 294,978 lb |
| Max fuel capacity (density = 0.803) | 78,484 lb |
Airlifter extraordinaire
With more than 20 years of reliable service, the BelugaST airlifts 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 – carries major components (fuselage sections, wings and tails) for Airbus’ single-aisle A320 Family, widebody A330 and A350 families and A400M.
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.
The BelugaST also is used for special worldwide operations for other Airbus payloads such as helicopters, satellite components or complete satellites.
Flight deck
The BelugaST retains the same flight deck that is in worldwide operation on Airbus A300-600s and A310s.
It is flown by two pilots. 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 BelugaST, including satellites – and even paintings.
