Aircrafttotal Encyclopedia


General information
Type	Strategic/tactical airlift / Aerial refueling
Manufacturer	Airbus Defence and Space
Status	In service
Primary users	German Air Force French Air and Space Force Royal Air Force Spanish Air and Space Force See Operators below for others
Number built	130 as of 31 January 2025
History
Manufactured	2007–present
Introduction date	2013
First flight	11 December 2009

The Airbus A400M Atlas is a European 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 sized between the C-130 and the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III; it can carry heavier loads than the C-130 and can use rough landing strips. In addition to its transport capabilities, the A400M can perform aerial refueling 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 Airport, 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 for the project. A total of 174 A400M aircraft had been ordered by eight nations by July 2011. 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.

A Europrop partner executive said in April 2003 that Airbus was close to selecting the P&WC offer, claiming it was more than €400 million (US$436.7 million) cheaper than Europrop's bid. As the original deadline for the engine decision passed, Airbus CEO Noel Forgeard said P&WC's bid was nearly 20 percent less expensive and declared that "As of today Pratt and Whitney is the winner without doubt; a much lower offer could make us change our minds.", inviting Europrop to revise its offering, which it reportedly reduced in price by 10 or 20 percent. A later report described the revised bid as exceeding P&WC's bid by €120 million.

The A400M (third from top) and aircraft it is intended to replace or complement: C-130 (top), C-130J-30 and C-17 (bottom)..

Airbus Transport

Airbus Industries S.A.
Airbus A400M Atlas
Manufactured 2007–present , First flight 11 December 2009

General characteristics

Crew: 3 or 4 (2 pilots, 3rd optional, 1 loadmaster)
Capacity: 37,000 kg (81,600 lb)
- 116 fully equipped troops / paratroopers
- up to 66 stretchers accompanied by 25 medical personnel
- cargo compartment: width 4.00 m (13.12 ft) x height 3.85 m (12.6 ft) x length 17.71 m (58.1 ft) (without ramp 5.40 m (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 (2,384 sq ft)

Powerplants

Fuel capacity: 50,500 kg fuel
Max landing weight: 123,000 kg
Powerplant: 4 × Europrop TP400-D6 turboprop, 8,200 kW (11,000 hp) each
Propellers: 8-bladed Ratier-Figeac variable pitch propellers with feathering and reversing capability, 5.3 m (17 ft 5 in) diameter

Specifications

Maximum speed: Mach 0.72
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 (2,100 mi, 1,800 nmi) at max payload
- Range with 30-tonne payload: 4,500 km (2,450 nmi)
- Range with 20-tonne payload: 6,400 km (3,450 nmi)
Ferry range: 8,700 km (5,400 mi,
Service ceiling: 12,200 m

Avionics

Wing loading: 637 kg/m²
Tactical takeoff distance: 980 m
Tactical landing distance: 770 m
Turning radius (ground): 28.6 m

Special Links Airbus VIP Airbus Industries Airbus A400M Atlas

Links to Youtube & Others

Assembly of the first A400M began at the Seville plant of EADS Spain in early 2007. Major assemblies built at other facilities abroad were brought to the Seville facility by Airbus Beluga transporters.

Airbus A400M "Atlas"

Entering operational service with the Royal Air Force in 2014, Atlas (Atlas C.1 A400M) provides tactical airlift and strategic oversize lift capabilities complementing C-17 fleet.

Youtube Link

Loads are delivered by parachute, gravity extraction from the aircraft’s rear ramp (influenced by the cargo’s own weight), or by landing.

Airbus Industries
Airbus A400M Atlas
Manufactured 2007–present Introduction date 2013 First flight 11 December 2009

Airbus Industries
Airbus A400M Atlas

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History Airbus A400M Atlas
Manufactured 2007–present , First flight 11 December 2009.
Airbus SE is a European
multinational aerospace corporation

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Airbus Industries Airbus A400M Atlas
Manufactured 2007–present , First flight 11 December 2009