The International Need
In a rapidly changing world, we can only guess at where the next military threat, peace-keeping need or urgent request for humanitarian aid may arise.
Airlift mobility is vital to achieving the objective of getting people, equipment and supplies to any trouble spot rapidly and efficiently.
Aircraft types currently fulfilling the military tactical transport role in the world’s air forces are becoming obsolete either because of poor availability or because of increasing difficulty in maintainability and supportability.
Unable to carry much of today’s heavy military equipment and the ability to deliver loads directly to where those loads are needed, they do not meet the requirements of modern rapid-reaction forces.
The A400M is a larger, more modern, more flexible aircraft specifically designed to meet today’s requirements and indeed those of the future.
The A400M can travel further and faster than most current in-service airlifters and can carry larger payloads. It is a multi-role transport, economical to operate, and exploits the benefits of state-of-the-art technology.
Strategic and Tactical Capabilities
Large Cargo both by Weight & Volume
Transporting a whole range of disaster relief equipment and modern military armoured fighting vehicles.
High Speed / High Level
Meeting the need for rapid response while increasing fleet productivity.
Short Unprepared Airlift Performancel
Enabling operations on short soft airfields for delivery cargo directly to where the cargo is needed.
Autonomous Ground Operations
Reducing turnaround times, especially under hostile conditions, without the need for specialist Ground Support Equipment.
Operational Flexibility
Airdrop
Dropping larger/heavier loads and more paratroops from both high and low altitudes than other airlifters.
CASEVAC/MEDEVAC
Enabling Casevac directly from the theatre of operations to main forward base. Providing Medevac assistance from the main forward base to the national home base
Survivability
Enabling operations in hostile environment: hard to find, hard to hit, hard to kill.
Air-to-Air Refuelling
Refuelling fighters and helicopters and other large aircraft at those aircraft prefered speeds or heights.
Specifications - Performance - A400M
| General Dimensions |
| Overall Length |
45.1 m |
(148 ft) |
|
| Overall Height |
14.7 m |
(48 ft 2 in) |
|
| Wing Span |
42.4 m |
(139 ft 1 in) |
|
| Landing Gear Track |
6.2 m |
(20 ft 4 in) |
|
|
Weights |
| Max. Take-off Weight |
141,000 kg |
(310,851 lb) |
|
| Max. Landing Weight |
122,000 kg |
(268,963 lb) |
|
| Maximum Payload |
37,000 kg |
(81,571 lb) |
|
| Internal Fuel Weight |
50,500 kg |
(111,330 lb) |
|
|
Cargo Hold Dimensions |
| Cargo Hold Length (excluding ramp) |
17.71 m |
(58 ft 1 in) |
|
| Ramp useful Length |
5.40 m |
(17 ft 9 in) |
|
| Cargo Hold Height |
3.85 m |
(12 ft 7 in) |
|
| Cargo Hold Height aft of wing |
4.00 m |
(13 ft 1 in) |
|
| Cargo Hold Width |
4.00 m |
(13 ft 1 in) |
|
| Cargo Hold Volume (gross)³ |
340 m³ |
(12,007 ft³) |
|
Performance |
| Max. Operating Altitude - Normal Operations |
11,278 m (37,000 ft) |
|
| Cruise Speed Range (Mach) |
0.68 – 0.72 M |
|
| Engines |
4 x EuroProp International TP400-D6 |
|
| Engine Power Rating |
11,000 shp class |
|
|
