Airbus A400M Atlas

The Airbus A400M Atlas is a multi-national, four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. It was designed by Airbus Military (now Airbus Defence and Space) as a tactical airlifter with strategic capabilities to replace older transport aircraft, such as the Transall C-160 and the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. The A400M is positioned, in terms of size, between the C-130 and the C-17; it can carry heavier loads than the C-130 and is able to use rough landing strips. Along with the transport role, the A400M can perform aerial refuelling and medical evacuation when fitted with appropriate equipment.

The A400M's maiden flight, originally planned for 2008, took place on 11 December 2009 from Seville, Spain. Between 2009 and 2010, the A400M faced cancellation as a result of development programme delays and cost overruns; however, the customer nations chose to maintain their support of the project. A total of 174 A400M aircraft had been ordered by eight nations by July 2011.[6] In March 2013, the A400M received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification. The first aircraft was delivered to the French Air Force in August 2013.

Variants

A400M Grizzly

Five prototype and development aircraft, a sixth aircraft was cancelled.

A400M-180 Atlas

Production variant

Specifications

 General characteristics

• Crew: 3 or 4 (2 pilots, 3rd optional, 1 loadmaster)
• Capacity: 37,000 kg (81,600 lb)
  • 116 fully equipped troops / paratroops,
  • up to 66 stretchers accompanied by 25 medical personnel
  • cargo compartment: width 4.00-metre (13.12 ft) x height 3.85-metre (12.6 ft) x length 17.71-metre (58.1 ft) (without ramp 5.40-metre (17.7 ft))
• Length: 45.1 m (148 ft 0 in)
• Wingspan: 42.4 m (139 ft 1 in)
• Height: 14.7 m (48 ft 3 in)
• Wing area: 225.1 m² (2,423 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 76,500 kg (168,654 lb) ; operating weight
• Gross weight: 120,000 kg (264,555 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 141,000 kg (310,852 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 50,500 kg (111,300 lb) internal fuel
• Max landing weight: 123,000 kg (271,200 lb)
• Powerplant: 4 × Europrop TP400-D6 turboprop, 8,200 kW (11,000 hp) each
• Propellers: 8-bladed Ratier-Figeac FH385 and FH386 variable pitch tractor propellers with feathering and reversing capability (FH385 anticlockwise on engines 2 and 4, FH386 clockwise on engines 1 and 3), 5.3 m (17 ft 5 in) diameter

Performance

• Cruise speed: 781 km/h (485 mph; 422 kn) at 9,450 m (31,000 ft)
• Initial cruise altitude: 9,000 m (29,000 ft) at MTOW
• Range: 3,300 km (2,051 mi; 1,782 nmi) at max payload (long range cruise speed; reserves as per MIL-C-5011A)
  • Range at 30-tonne payload: 4,500 km (2,450 nmi)
  • Range at 20-tonne payload: 6,400 km (3,450 nmi)
• Ferry range: 8,700 km (5,406 mi; 4,698 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 12,200 m (40,000 ft)
• Tactical takeoff distance: 980 m (3,215 ft), aircraft weight 100 tonnes (98 long tons; 110 short tons), soft field, ISA, sea level
• Tactical landing distance: 770 m (2,530 ft) (as above)
• Turning radius (ground): 28.6 m