A400m
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A400m
Just looking at the detailed articles on the A400M in this weeks issue of "Job Hunter" (sorry, "Flight International").
I couldn't help thinking how nice it will be to see the Belfast back in production, albeit with a different name!
I couldn't help thinking how nice it will be to see the Belfast back in production, albeit with a different name!
Well, the Belslow could only around 10 tonne on a 3600 nm stage. It had a MAUW of 104.7 tonne, but its economic cruise was a mere 275KTAS at 24000ft. Flat out it was 300KTAS at 28000ft.
Over 3600 nm, the A400M will carry 20 tonne. It has a MAUW of 130 tonne and will cruise economically at 400KTAS at 31000ft. Or, if you really want, at up to M0.72 and 37000 ft.
Over 3600 nm, the A400M will carry 20 tonne. It has a MAUW of 130 tonne and will cruise economically at 400KTAS at 31000ft. Or, if you really want, at up to M0.72 and 37000 ft.
BEagle, sorry, but this aircraft is still only a drawing. Once, and if, it flies there is bound to be some blessed limitation on its performance. 37 000 ft? I don't wish to be wilfully contrary but I don't think so. If dropped by a B52 it might pass 37 000 ft on the way DOWN. Cruise up there with a useful load? Nah!
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Not just a drawing Mr B, they did build a wooden mock-up that I saw at Farnborough a few (lots of) years ago
.
.74 at 37000', that'll fit in well with the GAT. Still, nice to have a 2/3rds Airbus fleet at Brize in a few years time
Tonks
..74 at 37000', that'll fit in well with the GAT. Still, nice to have a 2/3rds Airbus fleet at Brize in a few years time
Tonks
Just for you, MrB:
The A400M is a natural expansion of the Airbus aircraft family into the military sector. Specifically designed to meet the needs of European NATO nations, this all-new military transport provides a versatile and cost-effective solution to the world's military airlift requirements in humanitarian or peace-keeping operations. Airbus, which has a 64 per cent work share in the A400M, is fully responsible for the A400M's programme management.
The A400M is an economical, high-speed turboprop aircraft with a cruise speed of Mach 0.68-0.72 and the highest initial cruise altitude in its class, enabling integration into commercial traffic patterns. Designed for both strategic and tactical roles, it is capable of operating into unprepared landing strips completely independent of ground support.
With a 20 tonne payload the A400M has an unrefuelled range of 3,550 nm./6,600 km., enabling it easily to reach central Africa or Middle Eastern destinations non-stop from Europe. It is also fully equipped for air-to-air refuelling as a receiver and can be converted to a tanker role in just two hours. The A400M has a maximum payload of 37 tonnes and can accommodate all of the loads specified by the European Staff Requirement.
This military aircraft programme will use the same centres of competence, the same integrated engineering organisation and the same certification processes as any other Airbus programme. The first flight will take place in 2008 with first deliveries beginning in 2009.
The launch nations' orders for the A400M are Belgium (7), France (50), Germany (60), Luxembourg (1), Spain (27), Turkey (10) and the United Kingdom (25), a total of 180 aircraft. The fact that these seven European countries have contracted with Airbus Military to develop the A400M is a remarkable measure of Airbus' credibility, earned in the civil arena. It shows their confidence that the Airbus system can deliver an advanced and reliable military transport product, on time and on budget. The programme also breaks new ground in offering military customers direct access to the exceptional Airbus product support organisation.
In addition to the launch customers nations Airbus Military has identified a number of potential export markets and confidently expects to sell up to 200 more of the new military airlifters.
The A400M programme development will be centralised first in Toulouse and, as work progresses, will move to Spain, with the assembly line and delivery centre located in Seville.
I remember having a good nose around that wooden mock-up, Tonks. In the back was a day glo orange 'goal post' (whatever one of those might be). I asked what it was - it turned out to be the dimensions of the C-130 fuselage. Which looked tiny in comparison. The flightdeck layout is very gucci indeed - streets ahead of the C-17 as it uses all-A380 technology but with military requirements added.
Oh - and if you fitted both cargo bay tanks and 2 pods, it'd offer about the same time on task on a North Sea towline as a K4 at the same assumed offload rate.
The A400M is a natural expansion of the Airbus aircraft family into the military sector. Specifically designed to meet the needs of European NATO nations, this all-new military transport provides a versatile and cost-effective solution to the world's military airlift requirements in humanitarian or peace-keeping operations. Airbus, which has a 64 per cent work share in the A400M, is fully responsible for the A400M's programme management.
The A400M is an economical, high-speed turboprop aircraft with a cruise speed of Mach 0.68-0.72 and the highest initial cruise altitude in its class, enabling integration into commercial traffic patterns. Designed for both strategic and tactical roles, it is capable of operating into unprepared landing strips completely independent of ground support.
With a 20 tonne payload the A400M has an unrefuelled range of 3,550 nm./6,600 km., enabling it easily to reach central Africa or Middle Eastern destinations non-stop from Europe. It is also fully equipped for air-to-air refuelling as a receiver and can be converted to a tanker role in just two hours. The A400M has a maximum payload of 37 tonnes and can accommodate all of the loads specified by the European Staff Requirement.
This military aircraft programme will use the same centres of competence, the same integrated engineering organisation and the same certification processes as any other Airbus programme. The first flight will take place in 2008 with first deliveries beginning in 2009.
The launch nations' orders for the A400M are Belgium (7), France (50), Germany (60), Luxembourg (1), Spain (27), Turkey (10) and the United Kingdom (25), a total of 180 aircraft. The fact that these seven European countries have contracted with Airbus Military to develop the A400M is a remarkable measure of Airbus' credibility, earned in the civil arena. It shows their confidence that the Airbus system can deliver an advanced and reliable military transport product, on time and on budget. The programme also breaks new ground in offering military customers direct access to the exceptional Airbus product support organisation.
In addition to the launch customers nations Airbus Military has identified a number of potential export markets and confidently expects to sell up to 200 more of the new military airlifters.
The A400M programme development will be centralised first in Toulouse and, as work progresses, will move to Spain, with the assembly line and delivery centre located in Seville.
I remember having a good nose around that wooden mock-up, Tonks. In the back was a day glo orange 'goal post' (whatever one of those might be). I asked what it was - it turned out to be the dimensions of the C-130 fuselage. Which looked tiny in comparison. The flightdeck layout is very gucci indeed - streets ahead of the C-17 as it uses all-A380 technology but with military requirements added.
Oh - and if you fitted both cargo bay tanks and 2 pods, it'd offer about the same time on task on a North Sea towline as a K4 at the same assumed offload rate.
Really? And for how just much longer can they really keep the old girls going?
Seems the HDUs are getting a bit weary as well....??
Seems the HDUs are getting a bit weary as well....??
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A400M................yeah right
It's still a picture and, most probably always will be. You never struck me as naive Beags so please dont shatter that illusion by telling me you ACTUALLY believe all that old tosh you have cut and pasted
all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced
It's still a picture and, most probably always will be. You never struck me as naive Beags so please dont shatter that illusion by telling me you ACTUALLY believe all that old tosh you have cut and pasted all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced
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A400M/FLA/Whatever.....
...have they decided which engine is this week's choice yet? Nice to see that all the 'gucci' kit is going upstairs......most important in a transport aircraft, of course, let's get the priorities right from the outset, eh?
The A400M ALM's 'multi-purpose workstation' is, perhaps not inappropriately, situated on the lower deck. But even better than that, it is situated in line with the 2 commercial standard unisex toilets.
"Downstairs by the bogs for you, Baldrick. 'Cos upstairs is Hossifer country"
I have actually been asked to locate a suitable ALM who would be interested in heading up a project team working on the A400M tactical requirements; the ideal candidate has hopefully now been identified. Ex - C-17, naturally.
The engines will be the EPI TP400-D6 with over 10 000 shp driving 8-bladed 17.5 ft diameter Ratier propellers all controlled by dual channel FADEC. And the outer part of each composite prop blade has a nickel anti-FOD guard.
And the only thing likely to slow progress on the A400M is that Airbus Toolooze are diverting all available manpower to work on the A380 Megabus.
"Downstairs by the bogs for you, Baldrick. 'Cos upstairs is Hossifer country"
I have actually been asked to locate a suitable ALM who would be interested in heading up a project team working on the A400M tactical requirements; the ideal candidate has hopefully now been identified. Ex - C-17, naturally.
The engines will be the EPI TP400-D6 with over 10 000 shp driving 8-bladed 17.5 ft diameter Ratier propellers all controlled by dual channel FADEC. And the outer part of each composite prop blade has a nickel anti-FOD guard.
And the only thing likely to slow progress on the A400M is that Airbus Toolooze are diverting all available manpower to work on the A380 Megabus.
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Now what have I started?
As for it being a "paper" plane, don't they all start off that way? It's no less real than the 7E7 (wet)dreamliner, after all.
As for it being a "paper" plane, don't they all start off that way? It's no less real than the 7E7 (wet)dreamliner, after all.
An-70 is looking increasingly like a dead duck.......
Interesting that those making gibbering noises about the use of composites in the A300 and any possible connection to the fin failure on the AA aircraft don't seem to be quite so concerned about the extensive use of composites in Boeing's plastic fantastic Binliner...
Interesting that those making gibbering noises about the use of composites in the A300 and any possible connection to the fin failure on the AA aircraft don't seem to be quite so concerned about the extensive use of composites in Boeing's plastic fantastic Binliner...
Last edited by BEagle; 9th Nov 2004 at 20:38.
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A400
The A400 programme is so far reasonably on track. If it performs as advertised it wil be a good ac. However, I am surprised bleegle accepts the manufacturers blurb so readily. The ac is over wt at present and the fuel load vague, so I wouldn't go firm on any payload/range predictions just yet.
The engine development is proceding with the first run due next year - but don't stand near it in a wind (no prop brake).
The avionics are superb, as one would expect being based on the 380. However, it remains to be seen how easy it will be to graft on the military add ons.
I doubt if beags knows any Tac ALMs, I know the guys who are actually assisting with the Tac development and they are not from Brize. That said the very excellent mover involved is.
The engine development is proceding with the first run due next year - but don't stand near it in a wind (no prop brake).
The avionics are superb, as one would expect being based on the 380. However, it remains to be seen how easy it will be to graft on the military add ons.
I doubt if beags knows any Tac ALMs, I know the guys who are actually assisting with the Tac development and they are not from Brize. That said the very excellent mover involved is.
