Beriev Be-2500

Beriev

Industry	Aerospace
Headquarters	Russia
Products	Aircraft, including the Be-2500 Neptun (concept)

The Beriev Be-2500 Neptun () represents an ultra-heavy amphibious transport aircraft concept, which was under design and development by the Russian company Beriev as of 2007. Its name is derived from its projected maximum takeoff weight of approximately 2,500 tons.

Design and development

The Be-2500 is engineered to fulfill two primary functions: operating as a traditional jetliner at high altitudes for transcontinental flights, and functioning as a ground-effect vehicle over long-distance maritime routes. It is intended to utilize conventional seaports without requiring specialized facilities, following design principles reminiscent of the 1970s Lun-class ekranoplan.

If brought to fruition, it would become the largest aircraft worldwide.

Since the 1980s, Beriev has been developing this project in collaboration with TsAGI and TsIAM, producing two variants that differ in landing gear configurations and structural design. The original plan included equipping the aircraft with the NK-116 engine from Kuznetsov Design Bureau (Samara), targeted for completion by 1994; however, alternative foreign powerplants such as the Rolls-Royce Trent 800 and General Electric GE series were also evaluated. Beriev has expressed intentions to partner internationally for both development and funding purposes. As of 2007, the projected investment required stood between $10 and $15 billion.

The manufacturer envisions the Be-2500 as a "flying ship" capable of competing with both maritime shipping and air freight industries while seamlessly integrating into current port infrastructures.

See also

• Aerocon Dash 1.6 wingship
• Boeing Pelican
• TTS-IS

References

• Soviet and Russian Ekranoplans, Sergey Komissarov and Yefim Gordon, Ian Allan Publishing Midland, Pages 192 - 199.