|
|
|
The Airbus 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 Coopération en
Matière 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
Flight will be in 2008, and the first
delivery in 2009.
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 Airbus 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 1.200kg/min.
- A centre-line pallet-mounted hose drum
unit can be fitted in the rear cargo bay. It
provides a fuel flow of 1.800kg/min.
|
|
Developing nation: |
European
Nations. |
|
Manufacturer/designer: |
Airbus
Military. |
|
Production line: |
Toulouse-Blagnac, France |
|
Type aircraft: |
Military
transporter. |
|
First flight: |
2008 |
|
First delivery: |
2009 |
|
|
Airbus A400M |
|
Cockpit crew: |
2 pilots, 1 loadmaster |
|
Troops: |
120 |
|
Cabin length: |
17,71 m. |
|
Cabin diameter: |
4,00 m. |
|
Cabin height: |
3,85 m. |
|
Ramp length: |
5,40 m. |
|
Cargo volume: |
356
m³. |
|
Wing span: |
42,4 m |
|
Wing area: |
221,5 m². |
|
Fuselage length: |
43,8 m. |
|
Fuselage diameter: |
4,10 m. |
|
Height: |
14,6 m. |
|
Engines: |
- four Europrop
International TP400-D6 each rated 11.000 Hp. |
|
Propeller: |
Ratier FH386
eight blades 5,33 m diameter. |
|
Weight: |
- empty: 70.000 Kg.
-
fuel: 46.700 kg.
-
max. payload: 37.000 Kg. |
|
Max. take off weight: |
130.000 Kg. |
|
Max. landing weight: |
114.000 Kg. |
|
Cruise speed: |
mach 0,68. |
|
Max. speed: |
mach 0,72. |
|
Service ceiling: |
8.840 m. |
|
Max. ceiling: |
12.190 m. |
|
Max. range: |
9.260 km. |
|
Performance: |
-
take-off run 940 m at max. take-off weight.
-
landing run 625 m at max. landing weight. |
|
Airbus A400M order book:
|
|
Belgium
Chile
France
Germany
Luxembourg
Malaysia
South-Africa
Spain
Turkey
United Kingdom |
7
3 ?
50
60
1
4
8
27
10
25 |
|
|
| |
Posters
|
