The Airbus A400M Atlas is a medium lift military cargo aircraft powered by four Europrop International (EPI) TP400-D6 engines. Airbus markets the A400M as a multi-role tanker-transport capable of carrying more than the Lockheed Martin C-130J yet still being able to operate from austere runways as a tactical transport. The aircraft can transport loads up to 37 tons or 81,571 lbs.
A400M Doubts
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Cost blowouts and delivery concerns have made the A400M one of the most talked about planes this year. Could its benefits be enough, however, to see it through the turbulence? By Anthony Beachey.
31 May 2009
Defence spending is under pressure around the world as government finances are squeezed by the recession. Such is the state of the UK government’s finances, for example, that the opposition Conservative Party, which has traditionally advocated robust spending on the military and has been an ardent supporter of a nuclear deterrent, has questioned if the country can afford to maintain its Trident nuclear missile programme.
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By Craig Hoyle2021-05-25T14:56:00+01:00
With its 100th operational aircraft delivered and several key development hurdles cleared within the last 18 months, the A400M is now “at a turning point”, the Airbus Defence & Space official in charge of the programme believes.
Speaking exclusively to FlightGlobal on 20 May, Clive Schley, A400M programme head at the company’s military aircraft unit, also voiced his optimism about future additional sales of the Atlas – both to existing operators and new international customers.
Source: Airbus Defence & Space
European programme’s 100th operational aircraft has been transferred to the Spanish air force
The A400M programme was formally launched in May 2003, with partner nations Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Turkey and the UK committing to a combined 170 examples, and export buyer Malaysia four.