Beriev Be-2500

Be-2500 Neptun
A scale model of the Be-2500 from the Beriev website.
Role	Super-heavy amphibious transport
Manufacturer	Beriev Aircraft Company
Status	Proposed

The Beriev Be-2500 Neptun (Cyrillic: Бериев Бе-2500 Нептун) is a super-heavy amphibian cargo aircraft concept proposed by the Beriev Aircraft Company of Russia. With a maximum takeoff weight of 2,500 t (5,500,000 lb),^[1] it is the largest aircraft ever proposed. If completed, it would weigh four times more than the largest flying aircraft in the world, the Antonov An-225.

Beriev plans to design the aircraft with the assistance of foreign partners as the expertise and financial commitments required are beyond the capabilities of any one nation. It is estimated that the total research and development cost of the program would range from US$10 to US$15 billion.^[2]

The company claims that such aircraft will function as "flying ships" that will compete with the maritime shipping and air transport industries and can be readily integrated into existing infrastructure.^[1]

Specifications (Be-2500)

Data from Sergey Babain^[3]

General characteristics

• Crew: ≥2
• Length: 123 m (403 ft)
• Wingspan: 156 m (512 ft)
• Height: 29.12 m (95.54 ft)
• Wing area: 3,428 m² (36,900 ft²)
• Empty weight: 1,500,000 kg (3,300,000 lb)
• Max. takeoff weight: 2,500,000 kg (5,500,000 lb)
• Powerplant: 6 × Kuznetsov NK-116 turbofans, 233,000 lb-f (105 t) each

Performance

• Maximum speed:
  
  • At 10,000 m (33,000 ft): 800 km/h (430 kn, 500 mph)
  • In ground effect: 450 km/h (240 knots, 280 mph)
• Range:
  
  • At 10,000 m: 17,000 km (9,200 nmi, 10,580 mi)
  • In ground effect: 10,700 km (5,780 nmi, 6,650 mi)
• Max. wing loading: 730 kg/m² (150 lb/ft²)
• Minimum thrust/weight: 0.025(1 pound of thrust per 39+lb of aircraft at MTOW)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Ekranoplan
• Boeing Pelican
  

References