24 Facts About Airbus A400M

Airbus A400M Atlas is a European four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft.

The Airbus A400M is sized between the C-130 and the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III; it can carry heavier loads than the C-130 and is able to use rough landing strips.

Between 2009 and 2010, the Airbus 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.

In March 2013, the Airbus A400M received European Aviation Safety Agency certification.

Airbus A400M is positioned as an intermediate size and range between the Lockheed C-130 and the Boeing C-17, carrying cargo too large or too heavy for the C-130 while able to use rough landing strips.

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In January 2009, Financial Times Deutschland reported that the Airbus A400M was overweight by 12 tons and may not meet a key performance requirement, the ability to airlift 32 tons; sources told FTD that it could only lift 29 tons, insufficient to carry an infantry fighting vehicle like the Puma.

In 2009, Airbus A400M acknowledged that the programme was expected to lose at least €2.

On 5 January 2010, Airbus repeated that the A400M may be scrapped, costing it €5.

Airbus executives reportedly regarded the A400M as competing for resources with the A380 and A350 XWB programmes.

Airbus A400M had let itself be persuaded by some well-known European leaders into using an engine made by an inexperienced consortium.

On 27 July 2016, Airbus A400M confirmed that it took a $1 billion charge over delivery issues and export prospects.

In July 2010, the third Airbus A400M took to the air, at which point the fleet had flown 400 hours over more than 100 flights.

On 28 October 2010, Airbus A400M announced the start of refuelling and air-drop tests.

Airbus A400M Military stated that it found the aircraft's behaviour was "excellent".

On 14 March 2013, the Airbus A400M was granted type certification by the EASA, clearing its entry to service.

On 26 June 2008, the Airbus A400M was rolled out in Seville at an event presided by King Juan Carlos I of Spain.

On 1 August 2013, the first Airbus A400M was delivered to the French Air Force, it was formally handed over during a ceremony on 30 September 2013.

On 9 August 2013, the first Turkish Airbus A400M conducted its maiden flight from Seville; in March 2015, Malaysia received its first Airbus A400M.

Early conclusions observed that Airbus A400M lacked an integrated approach to production, development and retrofits, treating these as separate programmes.

The Airbus A400M operates in many configurations including cargo transport, troop transport, and medical evacuation.

The Airbus A400M is large enough to carry six Land Rovers and trailers, or two light armored vehicles, or a dump truck and excavator, or a Patriot missile system, or a Puma or Cougar helicopter, or a truck and 25-ton trailer.

Airbus A400M has a removable refuelling probe mounted above the cockpit, allowing it to receive fuel from drogue-equipped tankers.

In March 2017, a letter of intent with Airbus A400M was signed by Pelita Air Services, representing a consortium of Indonesian aviation companies.

In November 2021, Airbus confirmed that the Indonesian Ministry of Defense had signed a deal with Airbus for two A400Ms, with an option, in the form of a letter of intent, for four additional aircraft.