A400m

[OPSSG]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1428817388955340803

Britain, Turkey, France, Spain, Germany, and others, demonstrate the coming of age for the A400M, by carrying useful payloads at short-notice in and out of Afghanistan — giving forces deployed real options.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1429066320973271050

The last A400M of the Bundeswehr has left Afghan airspace at 6:20 p.m. on 27 Aug 2021. The military evacuation operation for Germany has ended. Good job, guys.

 

[kato]

Britain, Turkey, France, Spain, Germany, and others, demonstrate the coming of age for the A400M

The "others" would be the Belgian-operated,Luxembourgian-owned A400M, which was also deployed.

The last A400M of the Bundeswehr has left Afghan airspace at 6:20 p.m. on 27 Aug 2021.

1820B on that date was the time the last German A400M took off in Kabul.

The last German A400M deployed for the overall mission was shifted out later and arrived this morning (29th) at 0936B back in Germany. This one was equipped with a MedEvac module and stationed on standby in Tashkent for the duration. It remained on station a day longer in order to if necessary support US forces.

The overall number of A400M deployed by the Bundeswehr is obfuscated a bit in public sources, but is considerably higher than the three aircraft you typically see in declassified evacuation pictures due to such secondary tasks of the wider mission.

On a side note it was also the last mission for former East-German A310-304 (PAX) with Bundeswehr designation "10+23", the only aircraft of the Bundeswehr deployed that wasn't an A400M. The aircraft was originally supposed to be retired two days after the evacuation mission was decided on. It will be replaced for troop transport and medevac purposes by two A321LR next year.

 

[kato]

Can someone tell me how this French "MMR" kit:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1423592183043592197

differs from the previously used "MEROPE"?

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1323967019025387520

MEROPE as i understand it is the French A400M AirMedEvac concept for up to four ICU patients (and twenty medical staff). They were used quite often over the last year for air transfer of Covid patients, in particular over longer distances such as from Guyane to l'hexagon.

The designation MMR otherwise i can only find for the French A330 Phenix MRTT, in which a module called "Morphee" is installed for the same purpose as with MEROPE on A400M.

The first tweet might indicate ("allows for transport in a single flight") that what they're talking about here may instead be some sort of containerized module to be deployed at a target air base?

Germany has been using a differently laid out medevac module called ICAE for a few years now on A400M (including for medevac from France to Germany), this question is specifically about the French system though.

 

[kato]

Kazakhstan has ordered two A400M for delivery in 2024, becoming the ninth A400M operator.

As sort of georeturn Airbus will place a maintenance center for C-295 in the country. Kazakhstan operates about nine C-295.

 

[OPSSG]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1435819336157908994

1. I think if Germany (53 on order) was able to offer a mix of at least 3 new and some used A400Ms to Singapore; such a purchase to replace the 10 C-130Hs would make sense. AirbusDefence touts further near-term A400M sales on back of recent Kazakhstan deal. "We have various campaigns going on, and some are not far from conclusion", Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Military Aircraft.

2. In terms of wider capabilities, Dumont says programme now only about 1 or 2 years away from achieving full capability for the A400M — the ability to conduct air-to-air refuelling of H225Ms (and to be eventually certified for delivery of 116 paratroops) at FOC, will be especially important to Singapore. Thus far, 81 wet contacts between the A400M and helicopters were completed by day and night with certification on track for the later part of 2021. In recent experience of A400M during the Kabul airlift, 25 aircraft used by all but one customer (Malaysia). Along with 9 MRTTs, 120 evacuation flights flown by the A330MRTT with only one technical event (burst tyres due to emergency braking to avoid civilians on runway). The A400M capabilities are maturing and being demonstrated in actual operations.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1435603837553893382

3. If Singapore is interested in operating a fleet of the A400M, I suspect that at least 3 will need to be Satellite comms equipped. It would be preferable if the Germans or the French could share the non-recurring engineering costs for a standard set up for a satellite communication installation, to make such a sale attractive.

4. With its 100th operational A400M delivered in May 2021 (with several key development hurdles cleared within the last 18 months), and the current program to deliver 176 aircraft, its future looks brighter than ever before.

 

[kato]

3. If Singapore is interested in operating a fleet of the A400M, at least 3 will need to be Satellite comms equipped. It would be preferable if the Germans or the French could share the non-recurring engineering costs for a standard set up for a satellite communication installation, to make such a sale attractive.

All A400M are "optionally" (as in it's the default) satcom equipped for Civilian Aero H+ Mode for Inmarsat - as well as carrying user-specific milsatcom systems additionally.

 

[ngatimozart]

@kato Has Airbus completed fixed the Europrop engine gearbox problems yet?

 

[kato]

Haven't heard of any new problems in the last couple years, other than some screws that were tightened to a different torque in 2019 (requiring inspection of all aircraft).

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Turkish Aerospace Industries has built and integrated a directional infrared countermeasure system for the A400M.

TAI is currently producing 405 detail and subassembly parts for the DIRCM program, in addition to the forward-center fuselage, the tail cone and rear fuselage top panel, flaps/speed brakes, paratrooper and emergency exit doors, lighting systems, the primary design and supply of waste/clean water systems, final assembly line management/support, as well as the design and manufacture of fuselage wiring, excluding the cockpit interior and exterior lighting systems. That's quite a lot.

TAI installs missile destroyer on A400M aircraft

Turkish Aerospace Industries has built and integrated a directional infrared countermeasure system for the A400M multinational heavy transport aircraft, the company announced.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

|"and finally identifying and agreeing on a common European solution for the transport of outsized cargo.

As noted by the EDA, the five nations involved in SATOC comprise Germany (project co-ordinator), the Czech Republic, France, Netherlands, and Slovenia."|

So it is unclear yet which aircraft type will be chosen, and the amount of it. But some of the SATOC-participants have the A400M in its fleet and/or joining the NATO A330 MRTT program.

EU launches new strategic airlifter effort

The European Union (EU) has launched an effort to develop a new strategic airlifter to fill a critical capability shortfall.

www.janes.com

 

[kato]

SATOC is about the replacement of SALIS once its just-signed expansion to 2026 runs out.
It's mostly about identifying and harmonizing requirements for that in the first place.

A400M is unlikely to be relevant to it. Depending on how the future requirements are designed a cargo-deck+ramp version of a A330-200F or A330MRTT may suffice, although it's unlikely to be less than that..

 

[ngatimozart]

|"and finally identifying and agreeing on a common European solution for the transport of outsized cargo.

As noted by the EDA, the five nations involved in SATOC comprise Germany (project co-ordinator), the Czech Republic, France, Netherlands, and Slovenia."|

So it is unclear yet which aircraft type will be chosen, and the amount of it. But some of the SATOC-participants have the A400M in its fleet and/or joining the NATO A330 MRTT program.

EU launches new strategic airlifter effort

The European Union (EU) has launched an effort to develop a new strategic airlifter to fill a critical capability shortfall.

www.janes.com

I would think that it maybe something more towards the C-17A scale than A400M. Whilst the A400M can undertake strategic airlift, it cannot carry a lot of the EUs outsized cargo such as tanks, the newer AFVs the NH90 without a major strip down etc. It will be interesting what they come up with, but they need to be realistic and not reinvent the wheel. Something like an A350 with a high wing, ramp and a T tail. If they get it right then they will most likely have plenty of sales because a lot missed out on the C-17A and there is definitely a market for something that size and with similar capabilities.

 

[OldTex]

It will be interesting what they come up with, but they need to be realistic and not reinvent the wheel. Something like an A350 with a high wing, ramp and a T tail.

If they were going to do that level of redesign of the A350 to provide a ramp and cargo deck would not be a low risk (or low cost) and for how many potential aircraft. If they consider such a redesign then they might as well look at an A-400M with 2 fuselage plugs and 4 turbofan engines.

 

[KiwiRob]

I would think that it maybe something more towards the C-17A scale than A400M. Whilst the A400M can undertake strategic airlift, it cannot carry a lot of the EUs outsized cargo such as tanks, the newer AFVs the NH90 without a major strip down etc. It will be interesting what they come up with, but they need to be realistic and not reinvent the wheel. Something like an A350 with a high wing, ramp and a T tail. If they get it right then they will most likely have plenty of sales because a lot missed out on the C-17A and there is definitely a market for something that size and with similar capabilities.

A lot of people didn't miss the C-17 boat, they just didn't want it, Boeing announced years in advance that they would be shutting down the production line, there was plenty of time for countries to order as many as they wanted before Boeing did this, then they built 10 white tails as a hail mary, which took some time to sell, the last of which sat around for nearly 5 years before it found a home. The market is not now nor then crying out for a C-17 sized aircraft, they had one they could buy and didn't, so Boeing closed the line, and sold the plant that built them.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

I would think that it maybe something more towards the C-17A scale than A400M. Whilst the A400M can undertake strategic airlift, it cannot carry a lot of the EUs outsized cargo such as tanks, the newer AFVs the NH90 without a major strip down etc. It will be interesting what they come up with, but they need to be realistic and not reinvent the wheel. Something like an A350 with a high wing, ramp and a T tail. If they get it right then they will most likely have plenty of sales because a lot missed out on the C-17A and there is definitely a market for something that size and with similar capabilities.

They don't need to reinvent the wheel and redesign the A350, Airbus has already the A330-743L Beluga! Just re-engine it with 6 TP400-D6 turboprops and you have a strategic transport aeroplane with the aura of a Tu-95!

 

[kato]

The problem with that would be the ICAO rules for CO2 emission. Roughly, from 2028 on no freight and passenger aircraft designed before 2020 or series-produced before 2023 can really continue in production unless certified to accomodate 2028 standards. For their larger lines Airbus has only certified the A330neo (A330-900) and A350 for continued production (and of course will phase out older aircraft from its portfolio to entice people to switch over).

 

[John Fedup]

A lot of people didn't miss the C-17 boat, they just didn't want it, Boeing announced years in advance that they would be shutting down the production line, there was plenty of time for countries to order as many as they wanted before Boeing did this, then they built 10 white tails as a hail mary, which took some time to sell, the last of which sat around for nearly 5 years before it found a home. The market is not now nor then crying out for a C-17 sized aircraft, they had one they could buy and didn't, so Boeing closed the line, and sold the plant that built them.

Well, NZ certainly missed the chance. Many non US users ended up increasing their fleets. Several would likely add jets now after realizing how useful they turned out to be. Canada’s fleet is heavily used and we were fortunate to get the fifth jet(should have doubled our fleet to 8).

 

[John Fedup]

If they were going to do that level of redesign of the A350 to provide a ramp and cargo deck would not be a low risk (or low cost) and for how many potential aircraft. If they consider such a redesign then they might as well look at an A-400M with 2 fuselage plugs and 4 turbofan engines.

An interesting approach but a new wing would probably be needed also. If so, that’s basically a new design for a limited market. Perhaps a single smaller plug and 4 turbofans that gets closer to C-17 specs might be justified.

 

[swerve]

A lot of people didn't miss the C-17 boat, they just didn't want it, Boeing announced years in advance that they would be shutting down the production line, there was plenty of time for countries to order as many as they wanted before Boeing did this, then they built 10 white tails as a hail mary, which took some time to sell, the last of which sat around for nearly 5 years before it found a home. The market is not now nor then crying out for a C-17 sized aircraft, they had one they could buy and didn't, so Boeing closed the line, and sold the plant that built them.

In at least one case a purchase was missed through sheer incompetence. Having been warned about the deadline, India dawdled & delayed until it was too late, then submitted a request for more. IIRC that's not the case where India has tried to buy, or asked for a quote for, something which is no longer available, because the bureaucrats took too long to process a request from the armed forces. The really odd thing is that they submit the requests anyway. It seems that once the process has begun it's unstoppable. And as in the case of the C-17, there's a marked reluctance to scale down the request if it can be partially fulfilled.

When our military procurement cock-ups make me depressed, I think of India, to remind me that it could be worse.

 

[ngatimozart]

If they were going to do that level of redesign of the A350 to provide a ramp and cargo deck would not be a low risk (or low cost) and for how many potential aircraft. If they consider such a redesign then they might as well look at an A-400M with 2 fuselage plugs and 4 turbofan engines.

If they did that they need to increase the cargo hold height of the A400M derivative to the C-17A cargo compartment height and widen the cargo compartment as well. The KHI C-2 has the same cargo compartment height as the C-17A. So basically it would be upsizing the A400M and adding a plug. The wing would have to be redesigned as well. The euros have civilian turbofans that would meet the requirements so, they definitely don't need to go and design a bespoke engine.