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The 'Airbus A400M' is a four-engine turboprop military transport & tanker, designed by Airbus Military. Its maiden flight is scheduled for 1st quarter 2008.

Contents

History

Technology

Production

Sales

Orders

Specifications

References

External links

Related content

History

The project began as the Future International Military Airlifter (FIMA) group, set up in 1982 by Aerospatiale, British Aerospace, Lockheed, and MBB to develop a replacement for the C-130 Hercules and C-160 Transall. Varying requirements and the complications of international politics caused slow progress. In 1989 Lockheed left the grouping and went on to develop an upgraded Hercules, the C-130J. With the addition of Alenia and CASA the FIMA group became Euroflag.
The partner nations, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Belgium, and Luxembourg, signed an agreement in May 2003 to buy 212 aircraft. These nations decided to charge OCCAR with the management of the acquisition of the A400M.
Following the withdrawal of Italy and revision of procurement totals the revised requirement was for 180 aircraft, with first flight in 2008 and first delivery in 2009. On 28 April 2005, South Africa joined the partnership programme.

Technology

The Airbus A400M will increase the airlift capacity and range compared to the aircraft it was originally set to replace, the older versions of the Hercules and Transall. Cargo capacity is expected to double over existing aircraft, both in payload and volume, and range is increased substantially as well. Just as Airbus' other aircraft, the A400M will have a full glass cockpit (all information accessed through large colour screens) and fly-by-wire and as such will represent a technological leap compared to the older C-130s and C-160s that many countries now operate.
The Airbus A400M will operate in many configurations including cargo transport, troop transport, MEDEVAC, aerial refuelling, and electronic surveillance.
The selection of EuroProp's engines represented a contentious issue; until the 11th hour, Pratt & Whitney Canada had been perceived as the winning engine manufacturer on technical and cost merit. However, intense last-minute pressure from European governments and industry altered Airbus' stance and forced them to go with EuroProp's proposal.
The A400M's wings are primarily carbon fibre reinforced plastic. The cockpit features a fly-by-wire flight control system with sidestick controllers and flight envelope protection. High performance turboprop engines will allow operation in a civil air traffic control environment.^[1]

Production

The A400M assembly at the Seville plant of EADS Spain started in Q1 2007. Airbus plans to manufacture thirty aircraft per year [1]. The major assemblies arrive by Airbus Beluga transporters.
The first test flight, scheduled for Q1 2008 is still possible despite repeated program delays, schedule adjustments and mounting financial pressures.^[2][3]
Civil certification under EASA CS-25 will be followed later by certification for military purposes.

Sales

On 9 December 2004, the South African Air Force announced it was to purchase eight A400Ms at the total cost of €837 million, and had options on 6 more, with South Africa therefore joining the Airbus Military team as an industrial partner. Deliveries are expected from 2010 to 2014.
On 18 July 2005, the Chilean Air Force signed a MOU for 3 aircraft to be delivered between 2018 and 2022, although the deal was later cancelled.^[4]
On 8 December 2005 the Royal Malaysian Air Force ordered four A400M, to replace its ageing fleet of C-130s.
Canada issued a tender on 5 July 2006 for 17 new tactical airlifters to replace their old CC-130E and H models.^[5] The A400M would be competing for the order with the Lockheed C-130J. Airbus has proposed the A400Ms would serve as the Canadian Force's mid-range transports. Instead, the government has purchased 4 Boeing C-17s as long-range transports, the first of which was delivered into CF inventory on August 12th 2007 [2] and on June 29th 2007 issued the RFP to Lockheed Martin for procurement of the C-130J,[3] This effectively eliminates the A400M from any hope EADS/Airbus entertained about Canada purchasing the A400M when it finally becomes available. ^[6]

Orders

Date	Country	EIS	Orders
May 27, 2003	Germany	2010	60
May 27, 2003	France	2009	50
May 27, 2003	Spain	2011	27
May 27, 2003	UK	2010	25
May 27, 2003	Turkey	2009	10
May 27, 2003	Belgium	2018	7
May 27, 2003	Luxembourg	2017	1
December 15, 2004	South Africa	2010	8
July 15, 2005	Chile	2018	3
December 8, 2005	Malaysia	2013	4
Total:			195

Specifications

References

1. Airbus Military www.airbusmilitary.com
2. Seville, A400M Assembly and Delivery Centre EADS
3. invierte 22 millones y cede 130.000 m2 a EADS-CASA para posibilitar el desarrollo del A-400MAndalucia24Horas
4. Airbus Military signs agreement with Chile Airbus Military Website
5. Airlift Capability Project - Tactical MERX website - Government of Canada
6. Lockheed wins .9B contract: Tories quietly pick U.S. aerospace giant to replace Hercules

External links

★ Airbus Military

★ OCCAR

★
★ A400M Countdown

★ A400M history, photo gallery and technical details (EADS-CASA website)

★ MachineDesign article on A400M

★ A400M program suppliers at Airframer.com

★ Airforce-Technology.com page on A400M

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