Airbus A-400M Atlas
The Airbus A440M Atlas is a four-engine turboprop military transport. In terms of size and capacity, it fits between the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III.
The wings (largely designed with composite materials) are manufactured in the UK, while the fuselage is built in Germany. Final assembly is done in Spain.
 Cargo space inside an Airbus A400M Atlas |
The A400M excels in the airdrop role, being able to drop from both high and low altitudes. The aircraft A400M can carry more paratroopers than other western-built military transport. It can accommodate up to 116 fully equipped paratroopers, carrying them to the parachute drop zone at speeds up to 300 knots, but dropping them at as little as 110 knots to ensure minimum dispersion.
It is able to land on and take-off from short, soft and rough unprepared airstrips under 750 m (/2,500 ft).
For usage in a medevac role, the A400M is equipped with eight stretchers as standard, which are permanently stored on board. But it can accommodate as many as 66 standard NATO stretchers and 25 medical personnel seated on troop seats.
Air-to-air refuelling is accomplished either through two wing-mounted hose and drogue under-wing refuelling pods, or through a centre-line.
As of September of 2020, Airbus has received 174 orders for the A400M, and delivered 92.
View of the A400M landing gear and fuselage design (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric) |
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The Airbus A400M features Europrop TP400-D6 turboprop engines. It uses 8-bladed Ratier-Figeac FH385 and FH386 variable pitch tractor propellers with feathering and reversing capability (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric) |
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Early A400M Prototypes
The A400M made its first flight on December 11, 2009. The first production aircraft was delivered to the French Air Force in August 2013 and entered into service a year after.
The first Airbus A400M prototype, Msn 001, Registration F-WWMT, in flight on June 19, 2010 (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric) |
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Airbus A400M Registration F-WWMT, on display at Aeroscopia Toulouse Blagnac (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric) |
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Airbus A400M Msn 003, Registration F-WWMS, seen here in flight on April 18, 2013 (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric) |
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A400M of the French Air Force
Airbus A400M Atlas of the French Air Force, Registration F-RBAC (Photos by DELEHELLE Eric) |
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Airbus A400M Atlas of the French Air Force, Registration F-RBAF (Photos by DELEHELLE Eric) |
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Airbus A400M Atlas of the French Air Force, Registration F-RBAH (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric) |
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A400M of the German Air Force
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A400M of the UK Royal Air Force
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A400M of the Turkish Air Force
Turkish Air Force Airbus A400M Atlas in flight (Photo by Airbus) |
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A400M of the Spanish Air Force
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A400M of the Maylasian Air Force
Maylasian Air Force Airbus A400M Atlas in flight (Photo by Airbus) |
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