just more thoughts
there is a lot of heated discussion about the A400m, some of it misguided IMHO. Having operated on C130's (J+K) for 20yrs I for one am looking forward to the 'atlas' (think that's what it will be called) coming into service. From now on, we have to be smart about procurement, we need the most modern and capable ac (=better bang for the buck) and the A400m is the only viable option.
Our american friends may well realise how much better than the Herc it is and buy them also; that is after they stop wasting money flying SKE constantly. Times are changing and following a recent brief by CAS I am not sure there is a place for many of us, experience seems to be unimportant. He gave reasons why the cuts have been made but papered over the future. He is a very bright chap but was more concerned with 'how to get promoted to 1*' rather than the troops.
Slightly off topic there, sorry. Rant over.