MSN33 takes off from Seville, Spain, on the way to France. This is France’s ninth A400M transport aircraft, and was officially delivered on June 9; it is the fifth A400M delivered by Airbus DS this year, and also the first to be equipped for most operational capabilities. (Airbus DS photo)
Beyond the logistical capabilities of its predecessors, this aircraft is the first to have tactical capabilities, including in particular the ability to drop paratroopers and supplies, a self-protection suite, the ability to operate on semi-prepared landing strips and the ability to refuel combat and transport aircraft in flight. It can also itself be refueled in flight.
The goal of the Ministry of Defence is to have, by the end of 2016, six A400M operational aircraft with these capabilities. The MSN33 is the first of them. Two other similar aircraft are to be delivered before the end of the year, and three of the aircraft currently in service will be retrofitted to the capability standards of MSN33.
A tactical military transport aircraft with strategic range, the A400M, produced by Airbus Defence and Space, is designed to carry up to 37 tonnes of equipment and carry out all transportation-related missions, including the inter-theater and infra-theater transport, assault landing on summary airstrips, air dropping of personnel and equipment, including from very high altitudes, in-flight refueling and large-scale medical evacuation.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Airbus last week also delivered an A400M to Malaysia, which has now received three of the four aircraft it has on order.
These two bring to five the total number of A400Ms delivered so far this year.)
-ends-
from Defense Aerospace - Press releases http://ift.tt/1YtPKyW
via Defense
No comments: