A400M
Setting New Airlift Standards…
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The A400M
The A400M Programme
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Airbus Military offers the military air transport world a modern, multi-rôle military airlifter which will replace the ageing fleets of C-130 Hercules and C-160 Transall in service with the air forces around the world. With the A400M, Airbus Military is setting new airlift standards and changing the way in which future military programmes will be managed.
The A400M, as the new airlifter of the 21st century, will have more than twice the payload and volume of the aircraft it will replace. It will play an essential rôle in enhancing Europe's airlift capabilities, whilst enabling the establishment of common support, training and operational procedures and greater interoperability in multi-national humanitarian and peace-keeping missions.
The A400M Common Standard Aircraft (CSA) is capable of performing:
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strategic operations (long range, large capacity, high cruise speed)
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tactical missions (soft-field performance, autonomous ground operation, low speed / low level operations, aerial delivery)
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"in-theatre" tanking operations (receiving as well as dispensing fuel)
The A400M is designed to civil certification standards complemented where appropriate by specific military requirements. The aircraft design incorporates leading state-of-the-art technology including:
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Fly-by-wire Flight Control System with sidestick controllers
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Flight envelope protection system, already proven in Airbus commercial aircraft
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Advanced structural design incorporating extensive use of composite materials
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High performance turboprop engines, allowing operation in civil air traffic control environment
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High flotation landing gear, allowing operation from short, unpaved airfields.
