Originally Posted by
Top Bunk Tester
HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa oh my aching ribs
Having seen first hand the 'K versus J' nonsense when the latter came into service & the old guard of Luddites said 'it can never take over or be as good as the old aircraft' I get an overpowering sense of 'deja vous' now that the A400M seeks to trespass on the territory of the C130J. Yes, Atlas has its problems like any new aircraft but it also has the potential to be a great transport, not least because its compliant with modern legislation - RVSM, RNAV etc, whereas the J keeps running on exemptions.
Frankly what's not to like about an aircraft that carries more, faster & higher, is better to fly & getting the clearances to do more of the TAC stuff albeit slowly?
But it is a big expensive aircraft & keeping some of the
Js makes perfect sense for some of the more esoteric roles where such a large frame is inappropriate. But the J will need some updating to ensure that it can operate in modern airspace if it's not going to be shut out in the near future.