I seem to remember that there was a study for 4xCFM 56s on the project that became the A400M, but the Mighty Turboprop solution was judged to give far better field performance, through practically full-span flap-blowing.
The Europrop proposal was chosen in preference to one from P&W Canada which could perhaps be resuscitated (with massive delays) or, of course, a call to the lads and lasses who do/did the Donk for the Bear - I jest. I've always suspected that the selection was very political - perhaps another of the highly-political Mr. Forgeard's master-strokes ? "... the evil that men do lives after them ..."
Whatever the truth, it's clear that the Eurodonk seems to be in the running for the Most Silent Aero-engine of the Year Award ... But all will be resolved when they get the FADEC sorted, I've read - and that'll be about October at the earliest.
Is this a case of "no news is bad news"? The silence from Cambridge, Toulouse and Seville is deafening.
G'night all...
