The Airbus A400M has made its maiden flight on the 11th December 2009 and entered service with the French Air Force in August 2013. The program was launched in May 2003 due to a need of several European nations (Belgium, France, United Kingdom, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, and Turkey) to invest in more modern airlifters. In 2015, Malaysia also joined the consortium by acquiring the A400M. The A400M is manufactured in two main countries, with the wings being manufactured in the United Kingdom and the fuselage in Germany. The A400M is assembled at the Airbus plant in Seville, Spain.
The Airbus A400M is designed to be able to perform the following three different missions using the same aircraft:
Tactical Airlift Missions – The A400M is able to deliver equipment, goods and personnel directly into theatres of operation, which may be air bases, grass or sand strips. The aircraft may also be used by paratroopers and to air drop pallets of goods.
Strategic Airlift Missions – The Airbus A400M is able to deliver heavier payloads than most of its direct competitors, allowing the aircraft to transport items such as vehicles, helicopters, and other large equipment. In this regard, the A400M has filled a gap between tactical and strategic airlift since it has a better range, speed, altitude and payload performance than previous generation tactical airlifters.
Air to Air Refueling Missions – The Airbus A400M is able to receive drogue – equipped aircraft and increase the flexibility and range of air arms using this aircraft for their tactical missions. Any A400M can be rapidly reconfigured to become a tactical two-point tanker able to refuel probe-equipped receivers at their preferred speeds and altitudes. With a basic fuel capacity of 63,500 liters (50,800 kg), which can be even further increased with additional cargo hold tanks, the A400M is the most capable tactical tanker on the market.
alistairzammitphotography.com 