Originally Posted by
ExAscoteer2
Not a chance that A400 is TacAT!
Why do you say that?
I thought Leeson says it can do static and freefall.
It can likely do more CDS than a C130? And a much bigger range whilst doing so?
Any reason why other tac drops can't be done? Looks like air sea rescue is already covered.
I think Leeson implied it can take much more payload into given strip than a C130 - or it could have better shorter take-off landing than a C130 for the same payload.
This also probably means it can take C130J type payloads + way more fuel for longer trips / multiple hops into various austere places without refuelling.
I think he said it could operate onto softer strips full stop - ones the C130 presumably can't get into?
I think it was quoted above that availability was higher on A400M than C17 and C130 recently.