Yet another RAF whitewash- A400 is simply unfit for purpose.

[henra]

Originally Posted by Big Pistons Forever

Personally I think any airplane that is not full mission capable 17 years after first flight and still has over 100 seriously deficiencies is the very definition of failure

I see it differently. The F-35 brings a leap in capability over the predecessors at only moderately higher costs. This leap in capability will always com at a price. This price being minor deficiencies and annoyances in peace time. If push came to shove you could still use the fleet and enjoy an enormous advantage over the adversary aircraft or Air Defence Systems. The deterrence effect of 700 F-35 will way exceed that of 1000 F-15/F-16/F-18. But we are digressing from the A400M. Which I btw. also don't see anywhere as negatively as some here do. It also has its teething problems but it brings strategic Air Lift capability with excellent Offroad capabilities. Probably not as much advantage over legacy stuff as the F-35 does but still a good capability

[bspatz]

Originally Posted by henra

I see it differently. The F-35 brings a leap in capability over the predecessors at only moderately higher costs. This leap in capability will always com at a price. This price being minor deficiencies and annoyances in peace time. If push came to shove you could still use the fleet and enjoy an enormous advantage over the adversary aircraft or Air Defence Systems. The deterrence effect of 700 F-35 will way exceed that of 1000 F-15/F-16/F-18. But we are digressing from the A400M. Which I btw. also don't see anywhere as negatively as some here do. It also has its teething problems but it brings strategic Air Lift capability with excellent Offroad capabilities. Probably not as much advantage over legacy stuff as the F-35 does but still a good capability

I agree with you regarding the A400s strategic capability however, it is being pressed into service as tactical AT which it is patently unable to carry out anywhere near as well as the Herc. Tellingly, the German, Italian and French air forces which all operate A400s also have Hercs to carry out the tactical role.

[melmothtw]

Originally Posted by Big Pistons Forever

I predict a lot of buyers remorse when the realty of owning an airplane that is so expense to operate even the USAF and USN is cutting back F 35 orders in favor of F 15's and F 18's ; sets in......

In any case the USAF made a huge mistake by not doing a follow on order for more C 17's to keep the production line going.

Neither the USAF nor the USN is cutting back their F-35 programmes of record. The USAFis, however, reconsidering its F-15EX numbers downwards, while the USN is wanting the cancel Super Hornet Block 3 to fund NGAD.

Still, all for a other thread.

[henra]

Originally Posted by bspatz

Tellingly, the German, Italian and French air forces which all operate A400s also have Hercs to carry out the tactical role.

While I do agree that it probably is a tad on the 'big' side for a tactical aircraft in case of the German Air craft it was probably more about putting a bit of pressure on Airbus plus the somewhat late arrival of some kit that drove this decision. At the time of arrival of the C-130 these deficiences were mostly solved and some questions arose for what the C-130 would still be needed. But now they are there why not use them?!