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Airbus Military A400M (Atlas)

2013 MODERN AIRCRAFT

History

The Airbus A400M "Atlas" (formerly "Grizzly") was billed as a long-range military transport aircraft representing a multinational development effort. So far, the program has been plagued by technical delays and cost overruns, which have resulted in initial orders being cut (or canceled altogether), no doubt due to the global economic downturn.

The A400M represents Airbus' first attempt to develop a high-wing "T-tail" aircraft, and uses carbon fiber composites throughout its structure to save weight. The A400M's main competitors remain the ubiquitous (albeit aging) US medium-lift Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules and Boeing C-17 Globemaster III heavy transport aircraft, despite the marketing of Airbus products The purpose is to close the gap between the two types of aircraft. Lockheed claims its 1996 C-130J can do 95 percent of what Airbus claims is the new A400M. At this stage of development, the A400M is in trouble because Airbus doesn't expect the program to be profitable unless it gets significant sales from outside NATO.

The program is expected to cost at least 2.4 billion euros, and the European bailout on November 5, 2010 injected another 3.5 billion euros into the fledgling plane, while orders from major buyers dwindled slightly.

The A400M Atlas (formerly "Grizzly") is designed to meet the airlift needs of the modern military. It incorporates the latest aerospace technology and design practices to create a robust and reliable performer responsible for transporting heavy-duty people and machinery over long distances.

The Atlas has the capability to operate at low speeds on weak or rough airfields and, thanks to its oversized cargo hold, can perform dual roles in military service and humanitarian work, including medical evacuation.

The cargo compartment can accommodate passengers, medical waste, cargo pallets, paratroopers and military equipment as required. It can carry up to 116 combat-ready infantry or paratroopers, or replace them with up to 125 medical bags. Military equipment includes an NH-90 or CH-47 Chinook helicopter, a supply truck or two infantry vehicles. In addition, its internal storage area can be used to transport refueling, and the A400M can be used as an aerial tanker to refuel other military aircraft, including helicopters, via a two-point "hose and drogue" arrangement. wing trailing edge.

The A400M can also be refueled in flight thanks to a fuel probe mounted on the top left of the cockpit. The cargo compartment is 58 feet long, 1 inch long, 12 feet long, 7 inches high, 13 feet wide, and 1 inch wide. Cargo volume is 12,007 cubic feet.

This versatility also enables the A400M to meet military requirements for airborne early warning (AEW) and maritime patrol missions.

The A400M has an overall length of 148 feet, a height of 48 feet 2 inches, and a wingspan of 139 feet 1 inches. Maximum takeoff weight is 310,851 pounds, while her maximum payload is 81,571 pounds. Maximum operating altitude during normal operation is approximately 37,000 feet.

The avionics are said to be based on the avionics of the commercial Airbus A380 - albeit modified and maximized for military roles.

The A400M is powered by 4 EuroProp International TP400-D6 engines, each delivering 11,000 hp. This allows for a top speed of 484 mph and a ferry range of up to 5,412 miles.

Unique to each engine is the use of 8-by-17-foot, 5-inch-long Ratier Figeac propeller blades that are significantly swept back. The inboard motor also rotates in the opposite direction to the outboard motor - the outboard motor rotates towards the hull, while the inboard motor rotates away from the hull. The engine is controlled by what is called FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control), a complete set of software that itself causes multiple program delays. The engine was jointly developed by European companies including Rolls-Royce, Safran and MTU Aero Engines, and was ordered in May 2003. The French SNECMA engine was initially considered before Airbus chose the Canadian Pratt & Whitney engine (PW180) to power its A400M.

The Euro policy saw local engine development as the best answer and a joint development effort to keep the A400M fully European gave birth to the TP400-D6.

For now, given the ongoing global economy coupled with skyrocketing project costs and a lack of global customers, the future of the A400M remains bleak so far. The ongoing Afghan conflict will undoubtedly drive demand for new and modern modes of transport, but it remains to be seen how urgently one side needs the expensive A400M, especially when systems such as the C-130 and C-17 are proven (albeit older) and can still be used today.

Use to meet battlefield requirements.