Airbus A400M tactical transport aircraft

Formerly known as the Future Large Aircraft the Airbus A400M is the next generation tactical transport aircraft.Designed to meet the requirements of European NATO nations for a cost effective high speed turboprop the A400M will fill the gap between the C-130 Hercules and the larger C-17 Globemaster.

On August 28 2007 assembly of the first production Airbus A400M was started in Seville.

The design of the A400M airlifter makes extensive use of composite materials to ensure a minimum weight for the aircraft thus increasing the payload.The new Airbus will have a payload of 37 tonnes and will be able to operate into and out of semi prepared runways, as well as ensure the role of air to air refuelling.The cockpit is fully nigh vision compatible and provides accommodation for two pilots plus load master.

Airbus fitted the aircraft with a fly-by-wire flight control system based on the systems used for the civilian range of aircraft.In fact the A400M is fitted with a fly-by-wire flight control system similar to that used on the Airbus A380.The aircraft is equipped with the new TP400-D6 turboprop engines developed by EuroProp International, a joint-venture between Rolls Royce,snecma Moteurs, MTU Aero Engines and Industria de Turbopropulsores.The state of the art, eight-bladed composite construction propeller blades, are designed and manufactured by Ratier-Figeac.The Ratier-Figeac FH386 propellers allow the aircraft to fly at a crusing speed of 0.72 Mach.

Specifications

Dimensions

Overall lenght 45.1 m
Wing Span 42.4 m
Overall Height 14.7 m

Cargo Box Dimensions

Length (excluding ramp) 17.71 m
Ramp Length 5.40 m
Width 4.00 m
Height 3.85 m
Height (aft of wing) 4.00 m

Weights

Max. Take-off Weight 136.5 t
Max. Landing Weight 120 t
Max. Payload 37 t
Total Internal Fuel 47.7 t

Engines

Type 4 x TP400-D6 turboprop
Power Over 10,000shp each

Performance

Cruise Speed Range Mach 0.68 – 0.72
Max. Operating Speed 300 kt CAS
Initial Cruise Altitude at MTOW 29 000 ft
Max. Operating Altitude – Normal ops 37 000 ft
Max. Operating Altitude – Special ops 40 000 ft
Range at Max. Payload 1700 nm
Range at 30-tonne Payload 2400 nm
Range at 20-tonne Payload 3450 nm
Ferry Range 4750 nm
Tactical Take-Off Distance 1150 m
Tactical Landing Distance 680 m

Here are video presentations of the Airbus A400M tactical transport aircraft, Ratier-Figeac FH386 propellers and TP400-D6 Engine Test

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Time limit is exhausted. Please reload the CAPTCHA.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.