Versatile Heavy Hauler Ideal for Firebombing, Remote-Area, Seaside Transport

From Paris, Liberty Group International showed their pleasure at the completion of a feasibility study by three major aerospace companies, that indicates there will be a way to fill a vast global demand for a version of the Russian-built Be-200 multipurpose amphibious jet aircraft -- they are now to be fitted with Rolls-Royce engines.

LGI, which conceived the idea more than four years ago for a version of the Be-200 that would be more-suitable for western markets, and initiated discussions between the manufacturers, has exclusive marketing rights for the Be-200 in the United States and the Caribbean.

Dean Breest, president and CEO of LGI, said that Irkut, EADS,and Rolls-Royce Deutschland completed their feasibility study on the Russian-made amphibious aircraft Be-200 and plan to offer a version of the Be-200 with BR715 engines in August 2003 during MAKS 2003 Air Show in Moscow.

The study identified a market potential for 320 aircraft in 25 countries over the next 20 years. Built initially as a fire-fighting aircraft with the capability of scooping 3,000 gallons of water in just a few seconds and delivering it quickly and accurately to a blazing area, the aircraft also can be configured to handle up to 70 passengers, deliver cargo, operate in air-sea rescue scenarios and many other uses.

"We first saw its potential as a means of providing additional passenger service to areas near waterways where there are no land-based airports or where existing airports have no room for growth," said Breest. "But the tragic fires in the western United States last summer and those that already are in the news this year re-enforced our belief that the Be-200 can be an important addition to the U.S. fire-fighting aviation fleet."

The version of the Be-200 that will be available at the Moscow show will be built in the fire-fighting configuration. The manufacturing and marketing partners are preparing for the introduction of the aircraft mainly in North America, Europe and Australia -- all of which have significant needs in fighting wildfires in forests and grasslands.

"The big hang-up has been getting the aircraft certified for U.S. operations," said Breest. "We're delighted that Rolls-Royce announced it will supply engines for the aircraft and that EADS will be involved in the certification. This is a major step forward."

Jan Zesewitz, senior vice president of marketing for EADS, said the agreement signed in 2001 between EADS and the Russian aerospace agency Rosaviakosmos in Moscow, includes Western certification and provisioning of a full product and customer support.

Stefan Zimmermann, head of business development for Rolls-Royce Deutschland, said the feasibility study confirmed LGI's early assertion that the addition of two modern Rolls-Royce BR715 engines to the splendid Be-200 construction would be an ideal configuration for the Western market.

The Be-200 can take off and land on water or a conventional airport. In the fire-fighting configuration for which it was originally built, it can either transport and dump chemical fire retardants that can be quickly pumped into tanks at a ground base, or scoop 12 tons of water in 17 seconds from any suitable body of water. Two prototypes are already flying, and the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations has ordered seven for immediate fire-fighting needs.

FMI: www.lgiinc.us