Airbus A400M
| Airbus A400M
|
Artist's impression of the A400M parked on landing strip
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| Description
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| Role | Military transport
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| Crew | 2 pilots, optional 3rd, 1 loadmaster
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| First Flight | Expected 2009
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| Entered Service | Under development
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| Manufacturer | Airbus Military consortium
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| Dimensions
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| Length | 42.2 m | 138 ft 6 in
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| Wingspan | 42.4 m | 139 ft 1 in
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| Height | 14.7 m | 48 ft 3 in
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| Wing area | ft² | m²
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| Weights
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| Empty | 66,500 kg | 147,000 lb
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| Loaded | 114,000 kg | 251,000 lb
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| Maximum takeoff | 130,000 kg | 287,000 lb
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| Capacity | 37,000 kg (82,000 lb)
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| Powerplant
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| Engines | EuroProp International TP400-D6
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| Power (each) | 7,500 kW | 10,000 hp
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| Power (total) | 30,000 kW | 40,000 hp
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| Performance
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| Maximum speed | 550 km/h | 350 mph
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Combat range
(max payload) | 3100 km | 2,000 miles
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| Ferry range | 9,000 km | 5600 miles
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| Service ceiling | 11,300 m | 37,000 ft
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| Rate of climb | ft/min | m/min
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| Wing loading | lb/ft² | kg/m²
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| Power/Mass | hp/lb | kW/kg
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| Avionics
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| Avionics |
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The Airbus A400M (M for military) is a four engine turboprop aircraft designed by Airbus Military to meet the demand of European nations for a new military cargo aircraft.
The initial requirement of the partner nations, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Belgium and Luxemburg was for 212 aircraft. Following the withdrawal of Italy and revision of procurement totals the revised requirement was for 180 aircraft, with first flight in 2009.
The Airbus A400M is set to replace primarily the C-130 Hercules which has been the primary cargo workhorse in the countries now planning this new aircraft.
When completed, the Airbus A400M will be Airbus' first military aircraft, a sign of Europe's increased focus on using military equipment from European manufacturers when replacing older equipment acquired from the United States during the Cold war. Other examples of this include the Eurocopter Group and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company.
The Airbus A400M will increase the airlift capacity and range compared to the aircrafts it is set to replace. Cargo capacity is expected to double (both in payload and volume) and range is increased substantially as well. Just as Airbus' other aircrafts, the A400M will have a full glass cockpit (all information accessed through large color screens) and fly-by-wire and as such will represent a technological leap compared to the old versions of the C-130 Hercules and Transall C-160 that many of the purchasing countries now operate.
The Airbus A400M will operate in many configurations including; Cargo transport, troop transport, aerial refueling and electronic surveillance.
The political and financial delays with the A400M caused the Royal Air Force to start the Short Term Strategic Aircraft (STSA) programme which selected the C-17 as an interim measure to provide strategic airlift until the A400M entered service. Experience with the C-17 since it entered service lead to the RAF extending the original lease. On July 21 2004 Geoff Hoon announced that the RAF would buy their four C-17s at the end of the lease, even though the A400M is moving towards production. They also placed a follow-on order for one aircraft, though there may be additional purchases later, especially if the A400M does not live up to expectations in operational use. While the A400M is described as a "strategic" airlifter, the C-17 gives the RAF true strategic capabilites that it would not wish to lose, for example a maximum payload of 77,000 kg compared to the Airbus' 37,000 kg.
See also
