The Royal Air Force is celebrating a decade of operations with the A400M Atlas transport aircraft.
Since entering service, the Atlas has undertaken in a wide range of operations, including disaster relief in the Caribbean, transporting critical medical supplies and vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, and evacuating personnel from conflict zones in Afghanistan and Sudan.
Most recently, the aircraft supported humanitarian efforts by delivering supplies via air drop to Gaza.
Group Captain Andrew McIntyre, Commander Air Wing at RAF Brize Norton, highlighted the aircraft’s versatility:
“The Atlas has consistently demonstrated superior strategic capabilities and versatility for the many challenging missions faced by the RAF. Its range, altitude, speed, payload, and tactical performance have proven invaluable in humanitarian missions over the past 10 years, including the Caribbean, Afghanistan, Sudan, and the Middle East, not to mention protecting Europe’s Eastern flank and life-saving rescue missions in the South Atlantic.”
Operated by four squadrons at RAF Brize Norton, the Atlas also provides critical services from its base in the Falkland Islands, including maritime reconnaissance, search and rescue, and medical evacuation.
The A400M is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including advanced avionics, fly-by-wire controls, and a fully digital cockpit.
Its exceptional short-field performance allows it to operate from unpaved and semi-prepared strips, all achievable while using night vision goggles.
The A400M programme has generated significant economic benefits, with £1.36 billion spent with UK suppliers to date. The aircraft’s wings are manufactured in Filton, Bristol, where the 150th set of wings was recently delivered.
Michelle Ostergaard, DE&S A400M Team Lead, praised the multinational collaboration behind the aircraft:
“The A400M has been an excellent demonstration of multinational collaboration, with DE&S working in partnership with the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) and five other nations for the success of this European procurement project. Over the last 10 years, DE&S has provided support for the aircraft’s global operations and continues to work closely with OCCAR, nations, and industry to procure equipment for, and support services to, the A400M fleet.”
Test
working fine, like the new look
Weirdly, there’s now a limit to how long comment “branches” can go ie lines of replies.
If you look at some of the longer threads, a reply button doesn’t appear.
Do like the new aesthetic, though.
Wasn’t there plans to get a few more A400m? It would also be nice to have a smaller cargo plane.
There are.
A smaller type for DSF is needed.
A big mistake to have only A-400
Lack of cost analysis and mission analysis. A-400 fleet in RAF wasting money.
At least modify them to be able to each launch a dozen long range airborne ballistic missiles.
Meanwhile Embraer C-390 is making its way to be the heir of C-130. After Czech and South Korea , now it is Sweden.
No chance of us getting any 😟
And possibly India too…
I think with Sweden, this is also linked to their ongoing Gripen sales and local production with the Brazilian Air Force. But yes, the Embrarer C390 would add another feather to our transport fleet. Interestingly, while the Embrarer is cheaper with respect to its overall cost to the A400M, its running costs are officially quoted as only USD1,000 less expensive to the Atlas (USD24,000 vs 25,000 respectively). Based on this alone, it doesn’t make financial sense but there would obviously be additional factors to weigh up. I’m sure there are other chaps on this site with far more expertise than I on these matters but if no more additional A400Ms are forthcoming due to budgetary restrictions, what about the Airbus C295? Especially if we are looking at the aircraft configured to the SF role? It’s already proven itself with other Forces worldwide in both the MPA and MSA roles.
The C-390 doesn’t seem to offer much that the A400M doesn’t, but the C-295 and C-27J both offer a meaningful difference in size compared to the A400M to be worth considering as a lighter transport aircraft. Between the two I’d choose the C-27J, it has better range, payload and appears to have better STOL performance, but I wouldn’t be the one on the hook if things went wrong. They also both have gunship variants, and who doesn’t love gunships?
What is the source of running costs? Because it makes no sense.
The A400 is much more expensive. The engine overhaul costs alone are very high.