GUPPY, BELUGA AND BELUGAXL: TRANSPORT WAS PART OF THE DESIGN
An industrial network spread across Europe needs a transport system capable of carrying pieces much larger than ordinary airline freight. The distinctive Beluga aircraft made that network visible. The A300-derived BelugaST was followed by the A330-based BelugaXL, whose first operational flight took place on 9 January 2020. Airbus described the additional capacity as a means of supporting production, including the movement of A350 wings. [229, Service entry; BelugaST and BelugaXL origins; Broughton wing transport] [225, First operational flight on 9 January 2020]
The cargo aircraft were one element, not the entire supply chain. Airbus also used road, rail and sea transport between sites. Their unusual shape tells a practical story: instead of forcing large aircraft sections into an ordinary hold, the transport aircraft was adapted around the components. The photograph belongs beside the account of workshare, because without a dependable journey between factories there can be no dependable final assembly. [229, Enhancing Airbus production network; air, road, rail and sea]
The A300-600ST Beluga carried large aircraft sections between Airbus sites. Image: Airbus heritage collection; credits in source p.48. [170, PDF p. 40]
The A330-based BelugaXL in the corporate archive. It entered operational service on 9 January 2020. Image: Airbus heritage collection; source credits p.48. [170, PDF p. 45] [229, Service entry; January 2020]