Airbus A400M as a maritime aircraft ?

[Stuffy]

Dave, that seems better than the P8 ?

With the devalued Japanese Yen, it could well be an option. :-

General characteristics

• Crew: Flight: 2 Mission: 11
• Length: 38.0 m (124 ft 8 in)
• Wingspan: 35.4 m (114 ft 8 in)
• Height: 12.1 m (39 ft 4 in)
• Max. takeoff weight: 79,700 kg (176,000 lb)
• Powerplant: 4 × IHI Corporation XF7-10 turbofan, 13,500 lbs (60 kN) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 996 km/h (538 knots, 619 mph)
• Cruise speed: 833 km/h (450 knots, 516 mph)
• Range: 8,000 km (4,320 nm, 4,970 mi)
• Service ceiling: 44,200 ft (13,520 m)

Armament

• Bombs: 20,000+ lb (9,000+ kg)
• Missiles: AGM-84 Harpoon, ASM-1C, AGM-65 Maverick
• Sonobuoys: 30+ Pre-loaded, 70+ Deployable from inside
• Other: MK-46 and Type 97 and new(G-RX5) torpedoes, mines, depth charges

Avionics

• Radar: Toshiba, Active Electronically Scanned Array radar system
• Sonar: NEC, multi-static sound navigation system sound
• Anti-submarine systems:SHINKO ELECTRIC CO.LTD., Advanced combat direction system
• Other: Mitsubishi, Electronic countermeasures (CMD, RWR, MWS, ESM)