GELENDZHIK. Sept 6 (Interfax-AVN) - The Beriev Aircraft Company is working on a detail design of the Beriev Be-2500 super-heavy transport hydroplane, Beriev Director Yury Grudinin told Interfax.
"The Beriev Be-2500 project remains at a stage of detailed design; we are considering its performance characteristics and potential customers before we decide what to do next," Grudinin said.
According to the company website, the Be-2500 super-heavy transport hydroplane could be used for carrying commercial and special cargo overseas.
"The concept of the super-heavy hydroplane envisages flights in the ground-effect regime, i.e. gliding over the ocean surface, and at particular altitudes. Be-2500 will be ideal for delivering spacecraft to upper atmospheric levels in the equatorial zone of the Earth," the company said.
Be-2500 could also airlift rapid response forces, accomplish marine rescue missions, and help prospect and mine mineral resources on the shelf and archipelagoes, it said.
The 12th international exhibition and conference Gidroaviasalon is taking place in Gelendzhik on September 6-9. Exhibits are displayed on the premises of the Gelendzhik Airport and the Beriev Aircraft Company. The biannual air show is organized by the Russian Industry and Trade Ministry, supervised by the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), and operated by JSC Aviasalon.