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   The Airbus A300-600ST, better known as Beluga, can soon also be used for   
   military purposes. By doing so the manufacturer wants to respond to the   
   growing demand for options for transporting large equipment by air. Capacity   
   is scarce due to the war in Ukraine.   
       
   Until recently, armed forces from various countries regularly hired large   
   Antonov cargo planes from Ukrainian and Russian airlines. This is now more   
   difficult due to the conflict between those two countries. Airbus hopes to   
   partly solve that.   
       
   The Beluga is typically used to transport fuselage sections between Airbus   
   production sites. However, the type is slowly being replaced by the larger   
   A330-700L BelugaXL. That is why Airbus decided earlier to use the old Beluga's   
   for commercial rental.   
       
   Because of a self-developed loading system, it is now also possible to bring   
   large helicopters on board, so that the Beluga also becomes interesting for   
   military users. Tests have now been carried out with a CH-53 of the German   
   army. It can be prepared for transport in 1.5 hours and loaded on board in an   
   hour.   
      
   --- DB4 - 20220519   
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