Airbus A400M

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A400M
The second prototype A400M, Grizzly 2, at the 2010 Farnborough Airshow
Role Long-range military transport
Manufacturer Airbus Military
First flight 11 December 2009[1]
Status Under development/flight testing
Number built 3 as of July 2010[2]
Unit cost approx. €136 million[3][4]

The Airbus A400M is a multi-national four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. It was designed by Airbus Military as a tactical airlifter with strategic capabilities.[5] The aircraft's maiden flight, originally planned for 2008, took place on 11 December 2009 in Seville, Spain.[1]

Currently 184 aircraft are ordered by 8 nations.[6] First deliveries to the French Air Force are planned to take place at the end of 2012. Deliveries of the current orders will conclude in 2025.[7]

Contents

[edit] Development

The project began as the Future International Military Airlifter (FIMA) group, set up in 1982 by Aerospatiale, British Aerospace, Lockheed, and MBB to develop a replacement for the C-130 Hercules and Transall C-160.[8] Varying requirements and the complications of international politics caused slow progress. In 1989 Lockheed left the grouping and went on to develop an upgraded Hercules, the C-130J Super Hercules. With the addition of Alenia of Italy and CASA of Spain the FIMA group became Euroflag.

The A400M is positioned as an intermediate size between the Lockheed C-130, and the Boeing C-17. Originally the SNECMA M138 turboprop (based on the M88 core) was selected to power the A400M. Airbus Military issued a new Request for Proposal in April 2002 which Pratt & Whitney Canada with the PW180 and Europrop International answered; the latter was a new design. Airbus Military preferred the PWC engine, but political interference resulted in the selection of the Europrop TP400-D6 in May 2003.[9]

The A400M on the day of its maiden flight in Seville, Spain

The partner nations, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Belgium, and Luxembourg, signed an agreement in May 2003 to buy 212 aircraft. These nations decided to charge the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) with the management of the acquisition of the A400M.

Following the withdrawal of Italy and revision of procurement totals the revised requirement was for 180 aircraft, with first flight in 2008 and first delivery in 2009. On 28 April 2005, South Africa joined the partnership programme with the state owned Denel Saab Aerostructures receiving a contract for fuselage components.

[edit] Into production

The A400M assembly at the Seville plant of EADS Spain started in Q1 2007. Airbus plans to manufacture thirty aircraft per year.[10] The major assemblies arrive by Airbus Beluga transporters. The four Europrop TP400-D6 flight test engines were delivered in late February 2008 for the first A400M.[11] Static structural testing of a A400M test airframe began on 12 March 2008 in Spain.[12]

The first A400M, surrounded by EADS employees, during the aircraft's world presentation (roll-out), celebrated in Seville on 26 June 2008

The first test flight, originally scheduled for Q1 2008, was postponed due to program delays, schedule adjustments and financial pressures. EADS announced in early January 2008 that continued development problems with the engines had resulted in a delay to Q2 2008 before the first engine test flights on a C-130 testbed aircraft. The first flight of the aircraft, previously scheduled for July 2008, had again been postponed. Civil certification under European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) CS-25 will be followed later by certification for military purposes. The A400M was "rolled out" in Seville on 26 June 2008 at an event presided by King Juan Carlos I of Spain.[13]

[edit] Further sales

In December 2004, South Africa announced it would purchase eight A400Ms at a total cost of approximately €800 million, with the nation joining the Airbus Military team as an industrial partner. Deliveries were expected from 2010 to 2012.[14][15] Then on 3 April 2009 the South African Air Force announced that it would start considering alternatives to the A400M due to postponed production and increased cost.[16] On 5 November 2009 the government announced it was cancelling the order citing increased cost and delays in delivery.[17] A government spokesman claimed that the cost had escalated to R 40 billion (approximately US$5 billion) from R 17 billion (approximately US$2 billion) if they had gone ahead with the order.

On 18 July 2005, the Chilean Air Force signed a Memorandum of understanding for three aircraft to be delivered between 2018 and 2022.[18] But the order was cancelled after new elections.

On 8 December 2005, the Royal Malaysian Air Force ordered four A400Ms to supplement the fleet of 15 Lockheed C-130 Hercules.[19][20]

Airbus Military made a bid in 2006 to supply Canada with the A400M to meet a tender request for 17 new tactical airlifters to replace their old C-130E models.[21] The Canadians ordered four C-17 Globemaster IIIs and 17 C-130J Super Hercules instead.[22]

Airbus acknowledged in 2009 that the program is expected to lose at least 2.4 billion euros and cannot break even without sales outside NATO countries.[9] A PricewaterhouseCoopers audit of the program projected that it would run €11.2 billion over budget unless corrective measures were taken, which would result in an overrun of only €7.6 billion.[23]

In 2009 the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command requested information on the A400M and the company responded with a proposal for 118 A400Ms.[24]

In June 2010, EADS suggested a possibility that the Royal Australian Air Force might consider buying the A400M.[25]

[edit] Development problems

On 9 January 2009, EADS announced that the first delivery has been postponed until at least 2012. EADS also indicated that it wants to renegotiate "certain technical characteristics" of the aircraft.[26] EADS has long maintained the first deliveries would begin three years after the A400M's first flight. The German newspaper Financial Times Deutschland has closely followed the A400M program and reported on 12 January 2009 that the aircraft is overweight by 12 tons and may not be able to achieve a critical performance requirement, the ability to airlift 32 tons. Sources told FTD at the time that the aircraft could only lift 29 tons, which is insufficient to carry a modern armored infantry fighting vehicle (like Puma).[27] The FTD report prompted the chief of the German Air Force to say, "That is a disastrous development," and could delay deliveries to the Luftwaffe until 2014.[28] The Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the Luftwaffe is delayed at least until 2017. This leads the political planning to potential alternatives in the shape of a higher integration of European airlift capabilities.[29] The OCCAR reminded the participating countries that they can terminate the contract before 31 March 2009.[30] On 29 March 2009, Airbus CEO Thomas Enders told Der Spiegel magazine that the program may need to be abandoned without changes.[31]

In June 2009, Lockheed Martin said that both United Kingdom and France had asked for technical details on the C-130J as an alternative to the A400M.[32] On 12 June, The New York Times reported that Germany and France have delayed the decision whether or not to cancel their orders for another 6 months, while the UK still plans to decide at the end of June. The NYT also quotes a report to the French Senate from February 2009, according to which "the A400M is €5 billion over budget, 3 to 4 years behind schedule, [...] aerospace experts estimate it is also costing Airbus between €1 billion and €1.5 billion a year."[33]

The first A400M during its fourth flight, on final approach on 15 January 2010.

The shortage of military transports caused by the A400M delay forced the U.K. to lease, and subsequently purchase, six C-17s. France and Germany have also been considering other planes, as all three countries need to support their operations in Afghanistan.[34]

On 24 July 2009, the seven European nations announced that they would continue with the A400M program, and form a joint procurement agency to renegotiate the contract with EADS.[35][36] The ministers of the seven European launch customers were supposed to meet 15 October 2009 in Germany to approve a new timetable, configuration and financial terms for the A400M airlifter.[37] On 14 October 2009, French Ministry of Defense spokesman Laurent Teisseire, announced this meeting had been postponed.[38]

On 9 December 2009, the Financial Times reported that Airbus has asked for an additional €5bn subsidy to complete the project.[39] On 5 January 2010, Airbus told the Financial Times again that the A400M program may be scrapped, costing Airbus €5.7bn unless €5.3bn is added by partner governments.[40]

On 11 January 2010, Tom Enders, Airbus chief executive, informed BBC World that he is prepared to cancel production of the A400M if European governments do not provide more funding. Delays to the A400M project have already increased its budget by 25%.[41] It has now been announced that the project will still go ahead.[42]

The ADS Group has warned that shifting the British orders to American aircraft for the short term budget savings would cost much more over time in missed civil and military aerospace business, because they say that the technologies used in the A400M would be a bridge to the next generation of civilian aircraft.[43]

[edit] Flight testing

Before the first flight, the company obtained the required hours of airborne test time on the engines using a C-130 testbed aircraft.[44][45] The first flight of the C-130 testbed occurred on 17 December 2008.[46]

The A400M's maiden flight was carried out from Seville on 11 December 2009.[1] The first A400M has flown 39 hours of test flights as of 9 March 2010.[47] The second test aircraft's engines were tested on 18 March 2010 prior to it beginning test flights.[48] The second A400M completed its first flight on 8 April 2010.[49] The 3rd A400M took to the air in July 2010. With this flight the three A400Ms have taken more than 100 flights, totaling 400 hours.[2]

In July 2010, the A400M passed a key test: ultimate-load testing of the wing.[50]

[edit] Design

A400M landing gear display at Paris Air Show, 2007

The Airbus A400M will increase the airlift capacity and range compared with the aircraft it was originally set to replace, the older versions of the Hercules and Transall. Cargo capacity is expected to double over existing aircraft, both in payload and volume, and range is increased substantially as well. The cargo box is 17.71 m long excluding ramp, 4.00 m wide, and 3.85 m high. The height is 4.00 m aft of the wing and the ramp is 5.40 m long.

The Airbus A400M will operate in many configurations including cargo transport, troop transport, Medical evacuation, aerial refuelling, and electronic surveillance. The aircraft is intended for use on short, soft landing strips and for long-range, cargo transport flights.[51]

Hamilton Sundstrand propeller for Airbus A400M at the Paris Air Show 2009

The cockpit features a fly-by-wire flight control system with sidestick controllers and flight envelope protection. Like Airbus' other aircraft, the A400M will have a full glass cockpit (all information accessed through large colour screens) and as such will represent a technological leap compared to the older C-130s and C-160s that many countries now operate.

The A400M's wings are primarily carbon fibre reinforced plastic. The eight-bladed Scimitar propeller is also made from a woven composite material. The aircraft is powered by four Europrop TP400-D6 engines rated at 8,250 kW (11,000 hp) each,[52] which are the third most powerful turboprop engines ever produced after the contra-rotating Kuznetsov NK-12 and Progress D-27, making the Europrops the most powerful single-axle props.

The propellers on each wing of the A400M turn in opposite directions, with the tips of the propellers advancing from above towards the midpoint between the two engines. This is in contrast to the overwhelming majority of multi-engine propeller driven aircraft where all propellers on the same wing turn in the same direction. The counter-rotation is achieved by the use of a gearbox fitted to two of the engines, and only the propeller turns the opposite direction; all four engines are identical and turn in the same direction which eliminates the need to have two different "handed" engines on stock for the same aircraft, which simplifies maintenance and supply costs. This configuration has been dubbed DBE (Down Between Engines), it allows the aircraft to produce more lift and lessens the torque and prop wash on each wing. It also reduces yaw in the event of an outboard engine failure.[53]

A400M showing its counter-rotating propellers

EADS and Thales will provide the new Multi-Colour Infrared Alerting Sensor (MIRAS) missile warning sensor for the A400M.[54][55]

[edit] Operators

[edit] Orders

Date Country Orders Entry into Service
Date		 Notes
27 May 2003  Germany 60 not available
 France 50 not available
 Spain 27 not available
 United Kingdom 22 not available Order reduced from 25[56]
 Turkey 10 not available
 Belgium 7 expected 2018/20
 Luxembourg 1 not available
15 December 2004  South Africa 0 NA Order for eight cancelled in 2009[17]
8 December 2005  Malaysia 4[19] not available
Total: 181

[edit] Specifications

Artist's impression of the A400M in German Luftwaffe livery
Operation Range of A400M with 20 t and 30 t payload, flown from Paris, France

Data from Airbus Military specifications[57]

General characteristics

Performance

[edit] See also

Comparable aircraft

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c "Airbus celebrates as A400M gets airborne". Flight International. 11 December 2009. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/12/11/336083/pictures-airbus-celebrates-as-a400m-gets-airborne.html. Retrieved 2009-12-11. 
  2. ^ a b Third A400M takes to the air
  3. ^ "First Test Flight for A400M A Success". Defense News, 11 December 2009.
  4. ^ Militär-Airbus: Bundesregierung verkündet Einigung im Streit über A400M Spiegel.de (German)
  5. ^ "Raf - a400m". RAF, MOD. http://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/a400m.cfm. Retrieved 2010-05-15. 
  6. ^ "A400M Customer Base". Airbus Military. http://www.a400m.com/CustomerBase.aspx. Retrieved 2010-05-15. 
  7. ^ "A400M (Future Large Aircraft) Tactical Transport Aircraft, Europe". airforce-technology.com. http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/fla/. Retrieved 2009-10-01. 
  8. ^ Hewson, R. The Vital Guide to Military Aircraft, 2nd ed. Airlife Press, Ltd. 2001.
  9. ^ a b Almost Ready for Takeoff, Wall Street Journal, December 2, 2009, p.B3
  10. ^ "A400M Countdown #4 - A PROGRESS REPORT FROM AIRBUS MILITARY". A400m-countdown.com. http://www.a400m-countdown.com/index.php?v=4&spage=3. Retrieved 2010-07-20. 
  11. ^ "Fourth Engine for A400M Brings First Flight Closer". Reuters,
  12. ^ "Static test programme begins on aircraft MSN 5000". EADS, 28 March 2008.
  13. ^ "EADS Global Website - En". Eads.net. http://www.eads.net/1024/en/pressdb/archiv/2008/2008/all/20080626_eads_a400m_roll-out.html. Retrieved 2010-07-20. 
  14. ^ "EADS welcomes South Africa's intention to become an A400M partner". EADS, 15 December 2004.
  15. ^ "South Africa signs for A400M transports". Flight International, 3 May 2005.
  16. ^ Engelbrecht, Leon. "SAAF considering A400M alternative". DefenceWeb, 3 April 2009.
  17. ^ a b "State aborts Airbus contract". SAPA. Fin24.com. 5 November 2009. http://www.fin24.com/articles/default/display_article.aspx?ArticleId=1518-25_2560151. Retrieved 5 November 2009. 
  18. ^ Airbus Military signs agreement with Chile Airbus Military.
  19. ^ a b "Malaysian government signed a contract for the purchase of four A400M." EADS, 8 December 2005
  20. ^ "New aircraft would supplement the fleet of 15 C-130." Malay Mail, 13 November 2009
  21. ^ Airlift Capability Project - Tactical MERX website - Government of Canada
  22. ^ Warwick, Graham (16 January 2008). "Canada signs $1.4bn contract for 17 Lockheed Martin C-130Js". Flight International. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/01/16/220873/canada-signs-1.4bn-contract-for-17-lockheed-martin.html. 
  23. ^ "FACTBOX-The big money behind Airbus A400M talks". Reuters. 21 January 2010. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE60K19R20100121?type=marketsNews. 
  24. ^ "EADS: USAF can buy 118 A400Ms with savings from C-130, C-5 retirements". Flight International. 19 February 2010. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/02/19/338623/eads-usaf-can-buy-118-a400ms-with-savings-from-c-130-c-5.html. Retrieved 16 March 2010. 
  25. ^ "EADS pitches A400M, C-295 to Australia". flightglobal. 2010. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/06/22/343521/eads-pitches-a400m-c-295-to-australia.html. Retrieved 2010-06-26. 
  26. ^ EADS wants A400M contract change, adds delay. Reuters,
  27. ^ "Airbus A400M military transport reportedly too heavy and weak - The Local". Thelocal.de. http://www.thelocal.de/money/20090112-16705.html. Retrieved 2010-07-20. 
  28. ^ "Business : EADS denies mulling collapse of A400M project". Khaleejtimes.com. 2009-01-23. http://www.khaleejtimes.com/biz/inside.asp?xfile=/data/internationalbusiness/2009/January/internationalbusiness_January298.xml&section=internationalbusiness. Retrieved 2010-07-20. 
  29. ^ [1]. Sascha Lange: The End for the Airbus A400M?”. SWP Comments, 26. February 2009.
  30. ^ Airbus-Projekt A400M droht zu scheitern, Der Spiegel, 2009-02-27.
  31. ^ Evans-Pritchard, Ambrose (29 March 2009). "Airbus admits it may scrap A400M military transport aircraft project". The Daily Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/5071242/Airbus-admits-it-may-scrap-A400M-military-transport-aircraft-project.html. Retrieved 23 April 2010. 
  32. ^ "U.K., France Seek Data on Super Hercules Plane, Lockheed Says". Bloomberg,
  33. ^ "Germany and France Delay Decision on Airbus Military Transport".
  34. ^ Commentary by Celestine Bohlen - July 6, 2009 21:31 EDT (2009-07-06). "Airbus Needs U.S. Help to Dispose of Elephant: Celestine Bohlen". Bloomberg.com. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&sid=aKM9OZmTX9PY. Retrieved 2010-07-20. 
  35. ^ "New chance for Europe's A400M transporter". Spacewar.com. http://www.spacewar.com/reports/New_chance_for_Europes_A400M_transporter_999.html. Retrieved 2010-07-20. 
  36. ^ "Airbus gets extension of A400M Contract Moratorium". Bloomberg News, July 27, 2009
  37. ^ "A400M Partners to Renegotiate Contract with EADS". Defense News, 27 July 2009.
  38. ^ "Ministries Delay A400M Meeting". Defense News, 27 July 2009.
  39. ^ EADS pleads for €5bn to complete A400M[dead link]
  40. ^ Hollinger, Peggy; Pilita Clark; and Jeremy Lemer. Airbus threatens to scrap A400M aircraft. Financial Times, 5 January 2010. Last updated: 5 January 2010 12:21
  41. ^ "Airbus chief 'may cancel A400M'". BBC News. 12 January 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8452493.stm. Retrieved 23 April 2010. 
  42. ^ [2]. BBC
  43. ^ Pocock, Chris. Fresh doubts over A400M as Europe tightens its belt
  44. ^ "Airbus unveils carbon fibre plane". BBC News. 2008-06-25. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7473838.stm. Retrieved 2010-01-01. 
  45. ^ El Rey estrena el Airbus 400, el mayor avión militar de fabricación europea. ELPAÍS.com
  46. ^ Kaminski-Morrow, David. "Airbus A400M's engine becomes airborne for first time". Flightglobal, 17 December 2008.
  47. ^ http://www.airbusmilitary.com/PressRelease/tabid/112/smid/491/ArticleID/14/reftab/76/t/First-A400M-ferried-from-Seville-to-Toulouse/Default.aspx
  48. ^ http://www.airbusmilitary.com/PressRelease/tabid/112/smid/491/ArticleID/30/reftab/76/t/Second-Airbus-Military-A400M-runs-all-four-engines/Default.aspx
  49. ^ "Second Airbus Military A400M completes maiden flight". Airbus Military, 9 April 2010.
  50. ^ "defence.professionals". http://www.defpro.com/news/details/17309/. Retrieved 2010-08-03. "A400M new airlifter has passed the ultimate-load up-bend test" 
  51. ^ "A400M Capabilities". Airbus Military. http://www.a400m.com/Capabilities.aspx. Retrieved 2010-05-15. 
  52. ^ A400M powerplant. Airbus Military.
  53. ^ [3]. Airbus Military.
  54. ^ IR Sensors Page 4 english Seite 5 deutsch. IAF.Fraunhofer
  55. ^ EADS and Thales to supply latest-technology missile warner to A400M. globalsecurity.org
  56. ^ "MOD signs contracts and agreements for new RAF aircraft and weapons". Ministry of Defence. http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/ModSignsContractsAndAgreementsForNewRafAircraftAndWeapons.htm. Retrieved 14-April-2010. 
  57. ^ A400M Technical Specifications. Airbus Military (a400m.com). Retrieved: 23 April 2010.
  58. ^ "Airbus Military A400M". Jane's All the World's Aircraft. Jane's Information Group, 2010. (subscription article, dated 24 February 2010).
  59. ^ A400M engine decision. Airbus

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