A400M ontwikkelingen

[silvester herc]

[Harald]

https://x.com/AirbusDefence/status/1951538530091430361

The 50th #A400M has just been delivered to the German Air Force! 🇩🇪 It is Germany's fourth airlifter that is equipped with a Hose Drum Unit in the ramp and Pods in the tip of each wing. These devices turn the A400M into a flying gas station ⛽, enabling it to refuel fighters, medium to large aircraft and helicopters 🚁 while airborne.

[Harald]

Airbus to increase A400M payload capacity to cover a wider range of civilian and military missions.

At the 2025 Paris Air Show, Airbus Defence and Space confirmed plans to raise the certified payload of the A400M Atlas from 37 tonnes to 40 tonnes. This increase, while relatively modest, is designed to enable new mission configurations across a range of future variants under active development. This 3-tonne upgrade could reportedly be achieved through manageable hardware modifications and certification updates. These changes do not require a structural redesign, allowing Airbus to implement the enhancement through existing production processes and certification pathways.

https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2025/airbus-to-increase-a400m-payload-capacity-to-cover-a-wider-range-of-civilian-and-military-missions

[Benji87]

Nou ging me er eigenlijk alleen maar om dat de A400 schijnbaar volgens filmpje wel een NH90 kan vervoeren als het moet en waarschijnlijk ook veel meer para's als de C390 dus dat we iets minder afhankelijk worden van het collectief want in tijden van internationale crisis is het hebben van zo'n toestel soms ff moeilijk. want het delen van AWACS of tanker is ff wat anders als strategische luchttransport wat some time critical kan zijn. tankers kunnen dit ook zijn maar die zijn meestal toch al onderdel van een grotere missie. Want ga er dan wel vanuit dat er in een A400 een USAR-NL vrachtautocombinatie kan.

Voor 2 C390's koop je 1 A400M, you do the math

[Umbert]

Is het niet gewoon beter om uit te bouwen wat we hebben....
Volgens mij gaan we weer complete logistieke lijnen extra op moeten tuigen.
Koop er dan nog extra C390's bij.

Laat anderen die A400m maar gebruiken, dan pakken wij onze shit zoals we het nu hebben.

Nou ging me er eigenlijk alleen maar om dat de A400 schijnbaar volgens filmpje wel een NH90 kan vervoeren als het moet en waarschijnlijk ook veel meer para's als de C390 dus dat we iets minder afhankelijk worden van het collectief want in tijden van internationale crisis is het hebben van zo'n toestel soms ff moeilijk. want het delen van AWACS of tanker is ff wat anders als strategische luchttransport wat some time critical kan zijn. tankers kunnen dit ook zijn maar die zijn meestal toch al onderdel van een grotere missie. Want ga er dan wel vanuit dat er in een A400 een USAR-NL vrachtautocombinatie kan.

[Zander]

Is het niet gewoon beter om uit te bouwen wat we hebben....
Volgens mij gaan we weer complete logistieke lijnen extra op moeten tuigen.
Koop er dan nog extra C390's bij.

Laat anderen die A400m maar gebruiken, dan pakken wij onze shit zoals we het nu hebben.

[Parera]

OK misschien niet echt realistisch, maar een stuk of 4 A400 voor ons gewoon omdat het met 3.5% kan

Ik zou niet tegen zijn!
De A400M is ook een tussenmaatje voor ons, groter dan de C-390 maar kleiner dan de C-17.

Met een 5 a 6 tal C-390M aangevuld met 3 tot 4 A400M's heeft de KLU een flinke transport vloot. Daarnaast hebben we natuurlijk nog de KC-30's en C-17's waarvoor we vlieguren inkopen.

Ook kunnen we op dit gebied weer samenwerken met de Duitsers, Britten, Belgen en eventueel Franse.

[Umbert]

OK misschien niet echt realistisch, maar een stuk of 4 A400 voor ons gewoon omdat het met 3.5% kan

[Parera]

[Harald]

Airbus develops new A400M electronic warfare variant to challenge US dominance in airborne jamming.

At the 2025 Paris Air Show, Airbus Defence and Space presented its most recent roadmap for transforming the A400M into a platform capable of executing stand-off electronic warfare (EW) missions. In parallel, Airbus reaffirmed that the A400M is being considered for additional mission profiles, such as acting as a drone carrier, contributing to the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) architecture through broadband satellite and cloud-based battlefield connectivity, and operating with roll-on/roll-off firefighting kits capable of delivering 20,000 liters of water per drop. Furthermore, discussions are progressing within the French Air and Space Force regarding a possible strike variant capable of deploying short-range missiles or guided bombs from the cargo hold or wing pylons.

While the aircraft already features a range of defensive countermeasures such as radar warning receivers, chaff and flare dispensers, and structural design elements optimized for survivability, a significant upgrade is underway with the integration of Directed Infrared Counter Measures (DIRCM) systems. Airbus has been awarded a contract by the German procurement agency BAAINBw to install DIRCM systems, supplied by Elbit Systems, on 23 A400M aircraft operated by the Luftwaffe. These systems are engineered to protect the aircraft against infrared-guided missiles by detecting and neutralizing incoming threats with directed laser beams. Airbus is currently conducting trials in Seville, Spain, and certification is expected by summer 2025. Installation will be carried out at Airbus facilities in Manching (Germany), Getafe and Seville (Spain), and will continue through 2032, coordinated with the aircraft's scheduled maintenance intervals. These upgraded aircraft will support tactical operations and medical evacuations in high-threat environments, complementing the logistical variant of the A400M, which handles strategic airlift tasks such as transporting armored vehicles, helicopters, and engineering equipment.

Airbus has stated that the A400M is technically suited to serve as a stand-off jammer operating outside of contested airspace while delivering jamming effects at a distance. This role requires the integration of multiple antennas, and the A400M offers sufficient structural volume to accommodate them. Its four TP400-D6 engines provide electrical output that meets the power demands of onboard jamming systems. Unlike traditional EW platforms converted from smaller jets or surveillance aircraft, the A400M benefits from its large refueling capacity, allowing it to operate for extended durations at a safe distance from the front line. Airbus is currently studying the installation of podded jamming systems or integrated conformal antennas, and is evaluating both fixed and roll-on/roll-off EW mission packages. The company considers these upgrades part of a broader vision to expand the A400M's multi-mission capability portfolio, as this EW variant would not only supplement NATO's spectrum dominance efforts but also enable smaller air forces to field cost-effective jamming capabilities without investing in dedicated EW fleets.

The A400M Atlas is a four-engine turboprop military aircraft developed by Airbus Defence and Space, positioned between the Lockheed C-130 and the Boeing C-17. Designed to perform both tactical and strategic transport missions, it has the capacity to carry up to 37 tonnes of cargo, such as heavy vehicles, helicopters, or humanitarian equipment. The A400M, which can operate from short or semi-prepared airstrips, has a maximum speed close to Mach 0.72 and an unrefueled range exceeding 3,300 kilometers when fully loaded. First flown in December 2009, it entered service in 2013. As of January 2025, 130 aircraft have been delivered. Primary users include the German Air Force, French Air and Space Force, Royal Air Force, and Spanish Air and Space Force. The aircraft is certified for aerial refueling missions and can function as a medical evacuation platform. While originally designed as a replacement for the C-130 Hercules and C-160 Transall, its current development path includes upgrades for increased connectivity, payload flexibility, and multi-role applications such as drone launch, fire suppression, and precision strike missions.

The adaptation of military transport aircraft for electronic warfare purposes dates back to the Cold War, when the endurance, payload, and electrical generation capacity of large airframes were leveraged for electromagnetic operations. In the United States, the EC-130H Compass Call entered service in 1983. It was developed from the C-130 Hercules and equipped with onboard jammers to disrupt enemy communications and command-and-control networks. In the Soviet Union, the Yakovlev Yak-28PP Brewer-E was introduced in the 1970s as the first dedicated ECM platform. It was a conversion of the Yak-28 bomber that carried large internal jammers in place of its bomb load, along with external antenna arrays and chaff dispensers. Japan also converted its Kawasaki C-1 transport into the EC-1 for EW training and signals intelligence. The purpose of these conversions was to provide persistent jamming coverage, radar spoofing, and electromagnetic support in coordinated operations. They were deployed in scenarios requiring sustained EW presence, particularly in conjunction with strike aircraft and SEAD packages. Europe has also explored fitting tactical transports like the C‑27J with EW modules, though no units have yet entered service.

Modifying a transport aircraft for EW operations typically involves the integration of various antennas on the fuselage, tail, or wingtips; internal reconfiguration of the cargo bay into workstations for EW operators; and upgrades to onboard electrical systems to support high-power electronic systems. Depending on the platform, external conformal pods, fairings, or radomes may be added to house specific jamming or ELINT components. Power systems may be reinforced with additional generators or battery backups. Defensive systems such as radar warning receivers, chaff and flare dispensers, and directional infrared countermeasures may also be integrated. The aircraft's endurance and air-to-air refueling capabilities allow it to remain on station for extended durations. These features enable transport-based EW aircraft to serve in roles such as stand-off radar jamming, communications disruption, electronic support measures, and airborne command and relay. The A400M's physical size, power generation, and modular mission architecture are compatible with these requirements, allowing for the integration of EW packages without structural overhauls.

Globally, several transport-derived EW aircraft have been operational or proposed. The EC-130H Compass Call remains in U.S. Air Force service, with seven aircraft operational out of 14 built. Its successor, the EA-37B Compass Call, based on the Gulfstream G550, is being delivered and incorporates a new SABER mission system and modular jamming suites. Italy has approved the acquisition of two mission systems to integrate with its own G550 platforms. In Russia, the Yak-28PP served until the early 1990s and was superseded by EW-capable fighter derivatives. China operates multiple Y-9DZ and Y-9G variants derived from the Shaanxi Y-9, featuring dorsal radomes, side antenna arrays, and jamming or ELINT systems. Japan continues to operate the EC-1 but has hinted at modifying its modern C‑2 to field stand-off jamming capabilities, though this remains in the planning stages. The Ukrainian-Saudi AN-132ISR program, intended to include an EW variant, was canceled in 2019. Europe has not yet fielded a dedicated EW transport aircraft, although studies exist for such roles within the context of PESCO and FCAS. If Airbus proceeds with the A400M EW conversion, it would represent the first large-scale European adaptation of a tactical transport aircraft for electronic warfare missions, using an already-operational platform shared by multiple NATO member states.

https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2025/exclusive-airbus-develops-new-a400m-electronic-warfare-variant-to-challenge-us-dominance-in-airborne-jamming


An electronic warfare (EW) variant of the A400M would not only supplement NATO's spectrum dominance efforts but also enable smaller air forces to field cost-effective jamming capabilities without investing in dedicated EW fleets.

[Harald]

France might arm the A400M Atlas transport aircraft with missiles to fully exploit its capacities.

https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2025/france-might-arm-the-a400m-atlas-transport-aircraft-with-missiles-to-fully-exploit-its-capacities

As reported by Opex360 on June 15, 2025, France is examining the potential transformation of the Airbus A400M Atlas into a heavy combat aircraft with multirole capabilities beyond tactical airlift and aerial refueling. The French Air and Space Force (AAE) originally committed to acquiring fifty A400M aircraft. However, the 2024–2030 Military Programming Law (LPM), enacted in August 2023, reduced this number to at least thirty-five by 2035.

An amendment introduced in March revised the target to thirty-seven aircraft by 2030. Despite this reduction, statements from the Ministry of the Armed Forces suggest that the total number of A400Ms could eventually exceed the original fifty, depending on the outcome of considerations around replacing the existing fleets of fourteen C-130H and four C-130J Hercules transport aircraft with additional A400M units. This replacement could lead to the acquisition of eighteen more A400Ms.

Colonel Bastien Cardot, who leads capability development for transport aircraft and helicopters within the AAE's general staff, has outlined that operational feedback indicates the A400M's potential remains underused. He argues that the aircraft could serve as a complement to fighter jets in scenarios involving increasing threat density and complexity. He suggests that the aircraft's characteristics, such as long endurance and flexibility of deployment, could contribute to resolving the issue of generating sufficient mass in future conflict scenarios. The A400M, which can be refueled in flight, is capable of flying up to 9,000 km in twelve hours without midair refueling, can operate from all types of runways, and maintains a low logistical footprint. It is also equipped to fly automatically at 500 feet altitude in low visibility conditions, which Airbus notes was the first such capability in a military transport aircraft.

The aircraft's power system, comprising four TP400 engines rated at 11,000 horsepower each, provides significant electrical output. This energy surplus could support additional systems, such as directed energy weapons, advanced communications relays, or computing servers for future collaborative combat networks. According to Colonel Cardot, the A400M could release kinetic effectors such as short-range missiles or guided bombs stored in the cargo bay or mounted under the wings. He notes that enabling the delivery of firepower requires the integration of onboard targeting, surveillance, and intelligence capabilities. These elements are seen as prerequisites and are currently under review for implementation on French A400M aircraft.

France already has prior experience in this field through the C3ISTAR (Command, Control, Communication, Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) suite used on the retired Transall C-160s operated by Squadron 3/61 Poitou. That system incorporated a day/night optronic turret, a laser designator, and an image processing console, enabling missions involving reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and targeting. In addition, the French SME Turgis & Gaillard is pursuing the SSA-1702 NITRATHE project, which aims to install a pod under the A400M's wing for reconnaissance, targeting, and transmission functions. These prior capabilities and ongoing development initiatives could facilitate the addition of surveillance and strike functions on the Atlas platform.

The French Air and Space Force (AAE) is also considering roles for the A400M beyond supporting ground operations in permissive environments. Colonel Cardot has stated that the aircraft could contribute to deep strike missions within major aerial operations, including near non-permissive airspace. He proposed the integration of mass-produced, low-cost munitions to deliver concentrated fire capable of saturating adversary air defenses. This role would include precision long-range strike missions. According to him, the A400M could then qualify as a heavy combat aircraft able to launch a large volume of effectors from beyond the range of surface-to-air threats. It could also support the suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) by launching cruise missiles or connected effectors, and by conducting offensive electronic warfare or saturation operations. Notably, as previously reported by Army Recognition in August 2023, the Japanese Defense Ministry is also assessing the potential of arming its C-2 transport aircraft with long-range missiles, such as the locally-made Type 12 SSM or the American AGM-158 JASSM.

Colonel Lardot has summarized that armed heavy transport aircraft could deliver precision strikes globally, at short notice, in large volumes, with minimal logistical preparation, either accompanying air raids or operating independently. He adds that such a transformation from a multimission A400M to a truly multirole platform presents many challenges, especially in crew training. The aircraft's current configuration already supports a wide range of missions, including strategic projection, medical evacuation, tactical airland and airdrop, in-flight refueling, and humanitarian support. It has been used in operations such as Apagan in Afghanistan and Sagittaire in Sudan, where eight A400M flights evacuated nearly 900 people to Djibouti between 22 and 26 April 2023. The aircraft also contributed to Operation Résilience during the COVID-19 crisis and was involved in disaster relief following the February 2022 earthquake in Türkiye and Syria.

Since 2013, twenty-one A400Ms have entered service with the French Air and Space Force. All aircraft delivered since 2022 are produced in the final development configuration, including full automation of airdrops and support for high-altitude drops. The aircraft features terrain-following capability at very low altitude in zero visibility, a capability under trial in French forces. The A400M also includes the latest self-protection suite and tactical communications systems, enhancing survivability and connectivity in contested environments. Its airdrop capabilities include mixed gravity and ejection drops, with equipment deployed via the central rear ramp and paratroopers exiting from side doors. The aircraft has also been certified since November 2022 to refuel helicopters in flight. France, the first nation to receive refueling pods specifically designed for this purpose, is expected to begin experimental operations during the summer of 2025. These trials will complement existing refueling capabilities for fighter and transport aircraft.

The A400M Atlas is equipped with four TP400-D6 engines, each rated at 11,600 horsepower, and has a maximum payload of 35 tonnes. It can carry two Tiger attack helicopters, a CAESAR self-propelled howitzer, or two armored VAB vehicles with troops and equipment, or up to 116 paratroopers. The aircraft's internal fuel capacity is 50 tonnes. Its maximum takeoff weight is 141 tonnes, and its cruising speed ranges from Mach 0.68 to 0.72. The A400M's range reaches 4,700 nautical miles in ferry configuration. Its cargo hold volume is 340 m³, larger than that of the C-130J-30 (170 m³) and the C-130H (130 m³), positioning it between the C-130 and the C-17 in terms of size and capability. At Orléans-Bricy Air Base, the Tactical Display Team has been demonstrating the A400M's low-altitude tactical flying, short landings, and high-performance maneuvers since 2018. The aircraft is integrated into the second layer of France's future combat air system (SCAF), thanks to its modularity and connectivity with other operational assets

[Harald]

Frankrijk , De luchtmacht en ruimtemacht overweegt om van de A400M een "zwaar gevechtsvliegtuig" te maken
https://www.opex360.com/2025/06/15/larmee-de-lair-et-de-lespace-envisage-de-faire-de-la400m-un-avion-de-combat-lourd/

(artikel vertaald vanuit het Frans naar het Nederlands)

Aanvankelijk had Frankrijk zich ertoe verbonden vijftig A400M "Atlas"-transportvliegtuigen van Airbus aan te schaffen. De Wet op de Militaire Programmering [LPM] 2024-30, afgekondigd in augustus 2023, beperkte echter het aantal te leveren vliegtuigen aan de Lucht- en Ruimtemacht [AAE] tot "ten minste vijfendertig" in 2035. Deze tekst is inmiddels aangepast, waarbij het Ministerie van Defensie afgelopen maart aangaf dat het doel was om in 2030 zevenendertig vliegtuigen te hebben.

Het is echter niet onmogelijk dat uiteindelijk het aantal bestelde A400M's het aantal van vijftig toestellen zal overschrijden dat bij de start van het programma was gepland.

In april overwoog de algemeen afgevaardigde voor bewapening [DGA], Emmanuel Chiva, dat de "vraag over het vervangen van de C-130 [Hercules]-vloot door snelle leveringen van A400M's [verdiende] om aan de orde te komen." Dit zou kunnen resulteren in de bestelling van achttien extra vliegtuigen, aangezien de AAE momenteel over veertien C-130H's en vier C-130J's beschikt.

De AAE is echter van mening dat het potentieel van de A400M nog steeds onvoldoende wordt benut. Daarom overweegt men om het toestel ook voor andere taken in te zetten dan tactisch transport en bijtanken in de lucht. Kortom, het idee is om er een multifunctioneel vliegtuig van te maken.

Dat verklaarde kolonel Bastien Cardot, hoofd capaciteitsontwikkeling voor "transportvliegtuigen en helikopters" binnen de staf van de AAE, in de speciale uitgave nr. 102 van het tijdschrift DSI.

"De ervaring die in het veld is opgedaan, heeft een onderbenut potentieel van de A400M aan het licht gebracht, waardoor het een waardevolle aanvulling zou kunnen zijn op gevechtsvliegtuigen voor bepaalde missies, gezien de steeds grotere en complexere dreiging. Nieuwe mogelijkheden zouden het mogelijk maken om te reageren op een 'massale' uitdaging, een bepalende factor in toekomstige conflicten", aldus kolonel Cardot.

De A400M kan tijdens de vlucht worden bijgetankt en kan daardoor een "aanhoudende aanwezigheid" boven een bepaald gebied bieden of 9000 km afleggen in twaalf uur vliegen [zonder bij te tanken], en kan vanaf elk terrein worden ingezet met een kleine logistieke footprint. Het toestel kan ook automatisch vliegen op 500 voet [152 meter hoogte], ook bij slecht zicht ["een primeur voor een militair transportvliegtuig", benadrukt Airbus].

Bovendien, aldus Kolonel Cardot, "zorgt de elektrische energievoorziening, met vier TP400-motoren van elk 11.000 pk, voor schaalbaarheid dankzij de energiereserve [gerichte energiewapens, servers en communicatierelais voor toekomstige gevechten in de cloud]."

Dergelijke capaciteiten zouden bijvoorbeeld kunnen worden gebruikt ter ondersteuning van grondtroepen in onbetwiste omgevingen, zoals de Amerikaanse AC-130 "Gunship". De A400M "zou kinetische effectors kunnen afwerpen, zoals korteafstandsraketten of geleide bommen die in het ruim of onder de vleugel worden geplaatst", aldus kolonel Cardot. "Aangezien het afvuren van vuur het hoogtepunt is van een reeks complexe beslissingen – detectie, identificatie, classificatie, vernietiging – is de ontwikkeling van een ingebouwde targeting-, surveillance- en inlichtingencapaciteit een essentiële voorwaarde. Deze ontwikkeling wordt momenteel bestudeerd in Franse vliegtuigen", vervolgt hij.

Op dit punt begint de AAE niet bij nul: de Transall C-160's van het 3/61 Poitou squadron waren uitgerust met een zogenaamde C3ISTAR [Command, Control, Communication Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance]-capaciteit, die gebaseerd was op een dag- en nacht-optronische bol met laseraanduiding en beeldbewerkingsconsole om bewakings-, inlichtingen-, targeting- en verkenningsmissies uit te voeren.

Bovendien leidt het MKB Turgis & Gaillard het SSA-1702 NITRATHE- project , dat tot doel heeft een verkennings-, richt- en transmissiepod onder de vleugel van een A400M te installeren.

De AAE overweegt echter om de Atlas ook te belasten met missies die verder gaan dan het ondersteunen van landmanoeuvres in omgevingen waar dat niet is toegestaan.

"De A400M kan worden beschouwd als een bijdrage aan zeer nauwkeurige aanvalsmissies tijdens grootschalige luchtoperaties, inclusief in de buurt van verboden luchtruim", aldus kolonel Cardot. De integratie van "goedkope, in massa geproduceerde effectors" zou het mogelijk maken om een ��"vuurmassa te produceren die vijandelijke verdedigingssystemen kan overspoelen en een effectieve precisieaanval op lange afstand kan garanderen."

Vanaf dat moment zou de A400M een "zwaar gevechtsvliegtuig" worden, in staat om "een aanzienlijk aantal effectors af te werpen op afstand van vijandelijke grond-luchtdreigingen [stand-off]", vat de officier samen. Het zou kunnen bijdragen aan de neutralisatie van vijandelijke luchtverdedigingssystemen [SEAD] door offensieve elektronische oorlogsvoering en/of saturatiemissies uit te voeren of door kruisraketten en aangesloten effectors af te vuren.

"De grote bewapende vliegdekschepen zouden daardoor overal ter wereld precisieaanvallen kunnen uitvoeren, massaal, op korte termijn, met vrijwel geen logistieke footprint, ter begeleiding van een aanval of autonoom. Ze zouden het mogelijk maken om onverwachts, op elk moment en op elke locatie vanuit de lucht te vuren", vat kolonel Lardot samen, voor wie de overgang van een multi-mission A400M naar een multi-role A400M echter "talrijke uitdagingen" met zich mee zal brengen, met name voor de training van de bemanning.

[Harald]

Poland's Interest in Airbus A400M Revives Export Prospects for European Transport Aircraft.

According to information published by the specialized site Hartpunkt on January 24, 2025, Poland has expressed interest in acquiring the Airbus A400M military transport aircraft. This development comes amid the challenges faced by the European program, which was launched more than fifteen years ago to modernize the airlift capabilities of its partner nations' armed forces. Facing financial and industrial difficulties, the A400M program may find a significant opportunity through a potential Polish order, offering renewed export prospects for this strategic aircraft.

.../...

https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2025/polands-interest-in-airbus-a400m-revives-export-prospects-for-european-transport-aircraft

[Harald]

https://www.pilootenvliegtuig.nl/2024/08/06/verwerft-spanje-tai-hurjets-in-ruil-voor-a400ms/

Verwerft Spanje TAI Hurjets in ruil voor A400M's?

Het prototype van de bij Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) ontwikkelde Hurjet heeft een bliksembezoek gebracht aan Spanje.

De Spaanse luchtmacht is al langer op zoek naar een nieuwe generatie straaltrainer, van dezelfde categorie als de 'Lead In Fighter' Hurjet, ter vervanging van de negentien Northrop SF-5M trainingsvliegtuigen waarmee nu nog gevlogen wordt. Eventueel nieuw verworven straaltrainers moeten tegen 2028 aan de vloot worden toegevoegd..

Volgens Turkse media heeft Madrid aangeboden om voor 24 van de Hurjets te betalen via een ruilovereenkomst, waarbij zes A400M-vliegtuigen aan Turkije worden overgedragen. Het gaat om toestellen die de Spaanse luchtmacht niet nodig heeft. Ankara wil zijn tien toestellen tellende A400M-vloot graag uitbreiden, maar heeft te kampen met budgettaire beperkingen.

Met de Hurjet zijn sinds de eerste vlucht op 26 april 2023 inmiddels 79 vluchten uitgevoerd, waarbij op 10 km hoogte inmiddels Mach 0,9 is opgetekend.

[Sparkplug]

Airbus upgrades A400M firefighter prototype kit



Getafe, Spain - 5 December 2023 – Airbus Defence and Space has conducted a new flight-test campaign of the A400M Roll-on/Roll-off firefighting prototype kit, dropping 20,000 litres of retardant and creating high concentration lines over 400 metres long on ground.

Over a period of two weeks, the A400M carried out a ground and flight-test campaign in south-western and central Spain, including six drops, three of which used red-coloured retardant and three using water.

"We have tested a new version of the kit, improving dropping efficiency and reducing discharge time by over 30% compared to last year, while combined with rapid deployment and easy installation on the A400M aircraft," said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Military Air Systems at Airbus Defence and Space. "We continue to pioneer new solutions and capabilities for our A400M fleet, in this case protecting populations and natural environments from fires."

An easy-to-install solution

This roll-on/roll-off kit does not require any modification to the aircraft and, therefore, is interchangeable to any aircraft in the A400M fleet. The water or retardant is stored in a tank in the cargo hold of the aircraft and, by using a mechanical lever, a door is opened to allow the liquid to flow out of the aircraft by gravity means through a discharge pipe. The current design of the prototype is capable of dropping 20,000 litres in a single discharge.

The tanks can be filled in less than 10 minutes using standard high-pressure pumps on ground. The A400M is characterised by its ability to take off and land on short and unpaved runways, and a wide range of air bases and airfields.

During the campaign, the 43rd Firefighting Squadron of the Spanish Air Force has been involved as technical advisors and assuring that this capability in the A400M has operational value for any potential operator.

In July 2022, Airbus tested a removable firefighting demonstrator kit on the A400M for the first time. The company concluded that the A400M firefighting kit offers additional capabilities not available on the market thanks to its high-dropping capacity, high manoeuvrability with the latest safety standards, day and night operation and the potential to convert any regular A400M in any fleet to a firefighting aircraft at very short notice.

https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2023-12-airbus-upgrades-a400m-firefighter-prototype-kit