Here's a comparison of the predicted performance of the A400 versus those venerable workhorses of the air which in design terms date from 50 (yes 50!) years ago. The max payload of the A400 is 82,000 lbs, C 133 110,000 lbs, Belfast 80,000 lbs and the Herc (C130 H) 45,000 lbs. Max cruise speeds are very similar, 350 mph, 359 mph, 358 mph and 336 mph respectively.
The range of the A400 with a 20 tonne payload (btw this woul be a full load for a Herc) is projected at 3,753 nm for the A400 and with 23.5 tonnes the C133 could go 3,560 nm, the Belfast could do about 3,600 miles and the Herc only 2,050 nms.
The A400 has 4 x 11,000 shp, the C 133 4 x 7,500 shp, the Belfast 4 x 5,730 shp and the C 130 4 x 4,300 shp.
The real question is what would each aeroplane cost to build in today's prices and whether the A400 really is giving us value for money for what might seem a modest improvement in performance.
General characteristics - A400M- Crew: 3-4 (2 pilots, 3rd optional, 1 loadmaster)
- Capacity: 37,000 kg (82,000 lb), 116 fully equipped troops / paratroops, up to 66 stretchers accompanied by 25 medical personnel
- Length: 43.8 m (143 ft 8 in)
- Wingspan: 42.4 m (139 ft 1 in)
- Height: 14.6 m (47 ft 11 in)
- Empty weight: 70 tonnes (154,000 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 130 tonnes (287,000 lb)
- Total Internal Fuel: 46.7 tonnes (103,000 lb)
- Max. Landing Weight: 114 tonnes (251,000 lb)
- Max. Payload: 37 tonnes (82,000 lb))
Performance- Initial Cruise Altitude: at MTOW: 9,000 m (29,000 ft)
- Range: at Max. payload: 3,300 km (1,782 nmi) (long range cruise speed; reserves as per MIL-C-5011A)
- Range at 30-tonne payload: 4,800 km (2,592 nmi)
- Range at 20-tonne payload: 6,950 km (3,753 nmi))
- Ferry range: 9,300 km (5,022 nmi)
- Service ceiling 11,300 m (37,000 ft)
- Tactical Takeoff Distance: 940 m (3 080 ft) (aircraft weight 100 tonnes, soft field, ISA, sea level)
- Tactical Landing Distance: 625 m (2 050 ft) (see above)
- Turning Radius (Ground): 28.6 m
General characteristics - C133 Cargomaster- Crew: six (two pilots, two engineers, navigator, loadmaster)
- Capacity: Designed as a logistics transport, the C-133 carried only small numbers of passengers, usually associated with the cargo.
- Payload: 110,000 lb (50,000 kg)
- Length: 157 ft 6 in (48.0 m)
- Wingspan: 179 ft 8 in (54.8 m)
- Height: 48 ft 3 in (14.7 m)
- Wing area: 2,673.1 ft² (248.34 m²)
- Empty weight: 109,417 lb (49,631 kg)
- Loaded weight: 275,000 lb (125,000 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 275,000 lb (C-133A) / 286,000 lb (C-133B) (125,000 kg (C-133A) / 130,000 kg (C-133B))
- Powerplant: 4× Pratt & Whitney T34-P-9W turboprops, 7,500 shp (5,586 kW) each
- * Cargo deck : 86 ft 10 in (26.47 m)
PerformanceGeneral characteristics - Belfast C Mk 1- Crew: Basic aircrew 4 (two pilots, engineer & navigator/radio operator) plus reserve crew
- Capacity: 11,750 cu. ft.
- Payload: 80,000 lb (36,288 kg)
- Length: 136 ft 5 in (41.70 m)
- Wingspan: 158 ft 10 in (48.1 m)
- Height: 47 ft (14.33 m)
- Wing area: 2,466 ft² (229.1 m²)
- Empty weight: 130,000 lb (59,020 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 230,000 lb (104,300 kg)
- Powerplant: 4× Rolls-Royce Tyne R.Ty.12, Mk. 101 turboprops, Hawker Siddeley Dynamics 4/7000/fully-feathering airscrews of 16 ft. diam., 5,730 ehp (4,270 kW) each
Performance
General characteristics - C 130 H- Crew: 4-6: at least 2 pilots,1 flight engineer (eliminated in the J variant, replaced by crew chief), and 1 loadmaster; additional loadmaster and navigator are usually part of the crew
- Capacity:
- 92 passengers or
- 64 airborne troops or
- 74 litter patients with 2 medical personnel
- Payload: 45,000 lb (20,000 kg) including 2-3 Humvees or an M113 Armored Personnel Carrier
- Length: 97 ft 9 in (29.8 m)
- Wingspan: 132 ft 7 in (40.4 m)
- Height: 38 ft 3 in (11.6 m)
- Wing area: 1,745 ft² (162.1 m²)
- Empty weight: 83,000 lb (38,000 kg)
- Useful load: 72,000 lb (33,000 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 155,000 lb (70,300 kg)
- Powerplant: 4× Allison T56-A-15turboprops, 4,300 shp (3,210 kW) each
PerformanceWhatever your feelings the sooner we get some new assets the better. Cracks in the wings of the "classic" Hercs, much abuse of the J's and with no replacements for operational losses the boys at Lyneham certainly get my sympathy.
I hope the new engine (and new prop) live up to expectations and no further delays are encountered by all concerned.
MB