The 'bou is the only fixed-wing aircraft I've seen fly
backwards - was on STOL approach to the grass cross-strip at Riccy, in a decent northerly blow, about 50' up when a gust came through and pushed it about half-a-length backwards.
Any talk about A400M acquisition? Then again, that thing's been beset by so many problems, eg. Germans reducing their orders, etc.
What do the Seppos use for tactical in-theatre transport? Is that what the Osprey tilt-rotor thingy is supposed to do?