Beags,
the A400M IPT are in fact taking ALM views into consideration and have been ever since this aeroplane was first talked about. The ignorance of certain posters on this thread is staggering (you listening Globfan). In fact the back end is being designed by ALMs from all the nations involved and in the RAFs case ALMs, AD, PJIs and movers all have an input. Furthermore, this body of people (known as the Cargo and Aerial Delivery Working Group) work side by side with Airbus in order to get the best possible cargo hold so that it can compete with the C-17 and C-130J. It won't have anywhere near the load carrying capacity of the C-17 or the sheer power and awesome avionics of the J because that would make it too expensive and therefore it will never compete. In fact one could argue that with a combination of
Js and 17s why do you need A400m, but that has already been done to death elsewhere on this forum.
In fact, the RAF ALMs take the lead role in many areas during the working groups with airbus because of their expertise with 3 man ops during tactical missions. No other nation has this experience and certainly no ALM on 99Sqn has this experience (unless 99 have been flying outside of the lease conditions). Of course when I mention tactical operations I obviously mean aerial delivery/NVG type missions not your bog standard A-B strat mission that has a punchy load down the back so is therefore classed as a TacAT mission.
I think that the C17 is the RAFs finest asset and look forward to the day when we own one (unless Qinetiq get their hands on it). It does have its weaknessess in areas where the J shines and this powerful combination of airlift capability is going to be impossible to match, even though ALMs from all the nations involved are committed to making the A400M a worthy competitor.
...and another thing, the aim of the working group is to design the cargo hold that is very similar to 2 best cargo holds in the world. Anyone know what they are? Ok, I\'ll give you the C17 but the other is the ECHS (enhanced cargo handling system) of the J model. This system is the daddy of cargo handling systems and is a more modern version of the C17s. I have personnaly used it in the airdrop role and it is truely awesome. I believe the RAF/IPT paid to have this feature removed from the Brit
Js, in fact I know it. It was probably the same clown that decided not to buy external tanks for the J. Anyway, the point is, the A400M is going the same way, unfortunately the A400M IPT are already committed to not buying into certain features that you would think are essential for a freighter. ALMs from all the nations are aiming high, believe me, but the w**kers with the money are aiming low and dragging this procurement project to the depths that the J project sank to.
GM