Airbus A400M Atlas

A400M Atlas
A German Air Force A400M in flight
General information
TypeStrategic/tactical airlift / Aerial refueling
ManufacturerAirbus Defence and Space
StatusIn service
Primary usersGerman Air Force
Number built127 as of 31 July 2024[1]
History
Manufactured2007–present
Introduction date2013
First flight11 December 2009[2]

The Airbus A400M Atlas[nb 1] 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.[3] 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 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 and the first aircraft was delivered to the French Air Force in August 2013.

  1. ^ "Orders, Deliveries, In Operation Military aircraft by Country - Worldwide" (PDF). Airbus. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference ff was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ RAF – A400m., MOD, archived from the original on 30 April 2009, retrieved 15 May 2010


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