Airbus A400M

The A400M program is a direct result of a commonly expressed need by 8 European air forces for a new generation military airlifter.

Airbus A400M timeline:

• The Airbus A400M development started in the seventies as the Future Large Aircraft project. Request for Proposal August 1997.
• Memorandum of Understanding is signed June 19, 2001 at the Le Bourget Air show.
• On May 27, 2003, a contract was signed between Airbus Military and OCCAR (Organization Conjointe de Cooporation en Matire d’Armement), representing Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Turkey, and United Kingdom for a total of 180 aircraft.
• The industrial program was formally launched on May 31, 2003.
• Start production January 2005.
• First Roll out: June 26, 2008
• First Flight December 11, 2009, and the first deliverywill be in 2012.

The A400M Common Standard Aircraft (CSA) is capable of performing:

• strategic operations (long range, large capacity, high cruise speed).
• tactical missions (soft-field performance, autonomous ground operation, low speed / low level operations, aerial delivery).
• “in-theatre” tanking operations (receiving as well as dispensing fuel).

The A400M is designed to civil certification standards complemented where appropriate by specific military requirements. The aircraft design incorporates leading state-of-the-art technology including:

•  Fly-by-wire Flight Control System with side stick controllers.
•  Flight envelope protection system, already proven in Airbus commercial aircraft.
•  Advanced structural design incorporating extensive use of composite materials.
•  High performance turboprop engines, allowing operation in civil air traffic control environment.
•  High flotation landing gear, allowing operation from short, unpaved airfields.

The Airbus A400M will play an essential role in enhancing Europe’s airlift capabilities, whilst enabling the establishment of common support, training and operational procedures and greater interoperability in multi-national humanitarian and peace-keeping missions.

Air-to-Air Refueling:

The A400M is also quickly convertible into a tactical tanker. The flight envelope of the A400M allows it to refuel a wide range of aircraft and helicopters, at the altitudes appropriate to their missions.

•  A two-point trailing drogue system can be installed within two hours by fitting two standard air-to-air refueling pods (optional) to the multi-role attachment points on the wings. Each pod provides a fuel flow of up to 1200kg/min.
•  A centre-line pallet-mounted hose drum unit can be fitted in the rear cargo bay. It provides a fuel flow of 1800kg/min.