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The MoD committed to 25 x Airbus A400M
in 2000 to meet the Future Transport Aircraft (FTA) requirement for an
air lift capability to replace the remaining Hercules C-130K C1/C3
fleet.
The A400 is a collaborative programme involving eight European nations
(Germany, France, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg and
United Kingdom), procuring a total of 180 aircraft. The expected UK cost
is some £2.4 billion for 25 aircraft. The projected in-service date has
slipped from 2007 to 2010.
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The A400M should provide tactical
and strategic mobility to all three Services. The capabilities
required of the A400M include the ability to operate from well
established airfields and semi-prepared rough landing areas in
extreme climates and all weather by day and night; to carry a
variety of vehicles and other equipment, freight, and troops over
extended ranges; to be capable of air dropping paratroops and
equipment; and to be capable of being unloaded with the minimum of
ground handling equipment.
The A400M should also meet a requirement for an airlift capability
to move large single items such as attack helicopters and some Royal
Engineers’ equipment.
Airbus Military SL of Madrid, a
subsidiary of Airbus Industrie, is responsible for management of the
whole of the A400M programme.
Companies involved in the programme are BAE Systems (UK), EADS
(Germany, France and Spain), Flabel (Belgium) and Tusas Aerospace
Industries (Turkey). Final assembly will almost certainly take place in
Spain. In May 2003, the European consortium engine TP400-D6 was selected
for the A400M military transport aircraft over the rival Pratt & Whitney
proposal.
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The most commonly quoted argument
in favour of the A400M over the C-130J is that this aircraft could
carry a 25 ton payload over a distance of 4,000 km. Thus, it is
argued that a fleet of 40 x A400M could carry a UK Brigade to the
Gulf within 11.5 days, as opposed to the 28.5 days required to make
a similar deployment with 40 x C 130s. To operate a fleet of 40 x
A400M would of course require aircraft from elsewhere in Europe. In
any event, we believe that the RAF will probably retain its C-17s,
and will operate a mixed transport fleet comprising the C-130J,
A-400 and C-17.
The first aircraft is scheduled to fly between 2009 and 2025 with
operational capability from 2011. Some reports regarding the A400M refer to the
Future Transport Aircraft (FTA).
Photos Copyright Airbus Military SL |
