Airbus A400M is a general-purpose military strategic transport aircraft which will enter into service in 2012. It is intended to replace Lockheed C-130 Hercules and Transall C-160, brought into service in 1956 and 1967 repectively, by doubling the load and the volume capacity of these planes. Airbus A-400M SCUMS (Standard Common Aircraft) is the answer to specific needs expressed by seven nations: Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom and Turkey. The objective is to standardize the European fleet of tactical transport.
According to the General Henri Bentegeat, then chief of staff of the French Armies, “the arrival of have 400M should allow the installation of a European command of air transport which will be able to be based on a pool of similar apparatuses in several Convention countries”. Its structure is largely made up of composite materials and it will have the capacity to operate starting from short and not prepared tracks.
It will be independent of any help on the ground for the loading of the compartment and takeoff, no matter what is the weather conditions. It will be able to operate in various configurations: medical evacuation, transport of troops, electronic monitoring, cargo aircraft or tanker (convertibility in less than 2 a.m.). With a loading of 30 tons, the passable distance from 400M is of 4500 km, and 6600 km with a cargo of 20 tons.
The project dates back from 1982. FIMA (Future Military Airlift International) meets Aerospatiale, British Aerospace, Lockheed, and MBB (Messerschmitt – Bolkow – Blohm) to study this project.
In 1985, the Ministers of Defense of IEPG (Independent European Program Group) decided to harmonize their national needs in a joint study, the Future Large Aircraft Exploratory Group (FLEAG).
In 1989 Lockheed left FIMA to develop the C-130J Super Hercules. A new industry alliance is created, EUROFLAG or European Future Large Aircraft Group to develop a new generation of military transport aircraft. The five partners are: Aerospatiale, British Aerospace, MBB, CASA and Aeritalia (Italy).
In 1991, the participating nations with Belgium and Turkey created the European Staff Target Outline. It lists a series of reference purposes, clearing the way for the launch of pre-feasibility studies by the member companies EUROFLAG.
In 1996 the ESR (European Staff Requirement) is completed by the participating nations, the true specification of the future transport aircraft (ATF or FLA, Future Large Aircraft). The data sheet summarizing the military needs of the various air forces cooperating on this program was set March 27, 1996.
The commercial phase begins with the completion of the ESR, followed by a request (Request for Proposal, RFP) by seven NATO nations.
Tags: manufacture of Airbus A-400M, strategic interest of Airbus A-400M, history of Airbus A-400M
[...] The situation is even more difficult for the group EADS which is facing other business challenges with the ramp up of the A380 (and the financial consequences of the delay of the program) and the launch of the A Under the program, "EADS for tomorrow," the group announced a change in its organization on 16 December 2008. The Military Transport Aircraft Division, in charge of the A400M, the division will be integrated into Airbus. Thus it became the military pole of Airbus (Airbus Military). This integration "simplifies A400M management and allows for the optimization of resources." 2. Engines The engine is from PPE (EuropProp International), a consortium established for the construction of the TP400-D6. [...]
[...] The aim is to standardize the European fleet of tactical transport. According to General Henri Bentegeat, then Chief of Staff of the French armies, "The arrival of the A400M should allow the establishment of a European air transport command, which will rely on a pool of similar devices in several countries of the Union " . Its structure consists largely of composite materials and will have the ability to operate from short runways without preparation. It will be independent of any assistance on the ground for loading cargo and take off. [...]
[...] In 1996 the ESR (European Staff Requirement) was finalized by the participating nations with real specifications of the future transport aircraft (ATF or FLA, Future Large Aircraft). The data sheet summarizing the military needs of the various air forces cooperating on this program was set on March The commercial phase began with the completion of the ESR, followed by a request (Request for Proposal, RFP) by seven NATO nations. In response, the aerospace industries of these nations formed Airbus Military a partnership. In January 1999, the future transport aircraft (ATF) becomes the A400M with the establishment of this company. [...]
[...] Dimensions Cargo Sources of Military Airbus (A400M), USAF (C-130, C-17) research Behind Airbus's military misfire, The Wall Street Journal, January Indicative Bibliography by Oboulo: • http://www.airbusmilitary.com/ • http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/fla/ • http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/A400M-Delays-Creating-Contract- Controversies-05080/ Statement to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Armed Forces of the French Senate, October 27, 2004.EADS Original , TTU, newsletter Strategic and Defense p.13. This group meets every European member countries of NATO except Iceland. These 13 countries are Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Turkey. Established in 1976, this forum aims to promote cooperation in armaments. [...]
[...] • Delays announced: current situation and reactions 1. Tom Williams, program director of Airbus , said on Oct that the difficulties associated with aircraft engine, among other problems, could cause postponement of first flight of the plane to July 2008, instead of the initial schedule for early 2008 The first deliveries would be "delayed for six months" until spring 2010, with a "risk of slipping further 6 months," said EADS The 1st flight of the A400M "will be delayed" until an undetermined date because of "the unavailability of the propulsion system" EADS announced on September On 9 January 2008, EADS, Airbus' parent company announced the redesign of the A400M program The military Airbus "will resume series production only when the development (the program) will be accomplished". [...]
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