The Airbus A400M Atlas^[4][5] 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.^[6] 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 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.

The project has its origins in the Future International Military Airlifter (FIMA) group, which was established during 1982 by as a joint venture between Aérospatiale, British Aerospace (BAe), Lockheed, and Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) with the goal of developing a replacement for both the C-130 Hercules and Transall C-160.^[7] Varying requirements and the complications of international politics meant that progress on the initiative was slow. During 1989, Lockheed decided to withdraw from the grouping; it went on to independently develop an upgraded Hercules, the C-130J Super Hercules. With the addition of Alenia of Italy and CASA of Spain, the FIMA group became Euroflag.

Since no existing turboprop engine in the western world was powerful enough to reach the projected cruise speed of Mach 0.72, a new engine design was required. Originally, the SNECMA M138 turboprop (based on the M88 core) was selected, but this powerplant was found to be incapable of satisfying the requirements.^[8] During April 2002, Airbus Military issued a new request for proposal (RFP), after which Pratt & Whitney Canada with the PW180 and Europrop International answered. In May 2003, Airbus Military selected the Europrop TP400-D6; according to American defense company United Technologies, the selection was allegedly a result of political interference, the TP400-D6 being 20% more expensive that the losing PW180 engine.^[9][10]

The original partner nations were France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Belgium, and Luxembourg. These nations decided to charge the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) with the management of the acquisition of the A400M. Following the withdrawal of Italy and revision of procurement totals, the revised requirement was for 180 aircraft. Originally, the first flight was forecast to occur during 2008 and first delivery in 2009. On 28 April 2005, South Africa joined the partnership programme with the state-owned Denel Saab Aerostructures receiving a contract for fuselage components.^[11] Another non-NATO country, Malaysia, is one of the two countries outside Europe to be involved in the A400M programme. Malaysia through CTRM is responsible for manufacturing composite aero components for the aircraft.^[12]

The 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.^[13] It has been advertised with the tagline "transport what the C130 cannot to places that the C17 can’t".^[14]

On 9 January 2009, EADS announced that the first delivery was postponed from 2009 until at least 2012, and indicated that it wanted to renegotiate.^[15] EADS maintained the first deliveries would begin three years after the first flight. On 12 January 2009, the German newspaper Financial Times Deutschland reported that the 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.^[16] In response to the FTD report, the chief of the German Air Force stated: "That is a disastrous development," and could delay deliveries to the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) until 2014.^[17] The Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the Luftwaffe was later delayed and potential alternatives, such as a higher integration of European airlift capabilities, were studied.^[18]

On 29 March 2009, Airbus CEO Tom Enders told Der Spiegel magazine that the programme may be abandoned without changes.^[19] The OCCAR reminded participating countries that they could terminate the contract before 31 March 2009.^[20] On 3 April 2009, the South African Air Force announced that it was considering alternatives to the A400M due to delays and increased cost.^[21] On 5 November 2009, South Africa announced the order's cancellation.^[22] On 12 June, The New York Times reported that Germany and France had delayed a decision whether to cancel their orders for six months while the UK planned to decide in late June. The NYT also quoted a report to the French Senate from February 2009, noting: "the A400M is €5 billion over budget, 3 to 4 years behind schedule, [...] aerospace experts estimate it is also costing Airbus between €1 billion and €1.5 billion a year."^[23]

In 2009, Airbus acknowledged that the programme was expected to lose at least €2.4 billion and could not break even without export sales.^[9] A PricewaterhouseCoopers audit projected that it would run €11.2 billion over budget, and that corrective measures would result in an overrun of €7.6 billion.^[24] On 24 July 2009, the seven European nations announced that the programme would proceed and formed a joint procurement agency to renegotiate the contract.^[25] On 9 December 2009, the Financial Times reported that Airbus requested an additional €5 billion subsidy.^[26] On 5 January 2010, Airbus repeated that the A400M may be scrapped, costing it €5.7 billion unless €5.3 billion was added by partner governments,^[27] delays had already increased its budget by 25%.^[28] Airbus executives reportedly regarded the A400M as competing for resources with the A380 and A350 XWB programmes.^[29]

In June 2009, Lockheed Martin said that both the UK and France had requested details on the C-130J as an alternative to the A400M.^[30] In 2011, the ADS Group warned that shifting British orders to American aircraft for short term savings would cost more in missed business, stating that A400M technologies would be a bridge to a new generation of civil aircraft.^[31]

On 5 November 2010, Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain and Turkey finalised the contract and agreed to lend Airbus Military €1.5 billion. The programme was then at least three years behind schedule. The UK reduced its order from 25 to 22 aircraft and Germany from 60 to 53, decreasing the total order from 180 to 170.^[32] In October 2012, John Gilbert, Britain's former Minister for Defence Procurement, stated in the British House of Lords "The A400M is a complete, absolute wanking disaster, and we should be ashamed of ourselves. I have never seen such a waste of public funds in the defence field since I have been involved in it these past 40 years."^[33][34]

In 2013, France's budget for 50 aircraft was €8.9bn (~US$11.7bn) at a unit cost of €152.4m (~US$200m), or €178m (~US$235m) including development costs.^[2] The 2013 French White Paper on Defence and National Security cut the tactical transport aircraft requirement from 70 to 50.^[35] As the A400M was unable to perform helicopter in-flight refuelling, France announced in 2016 that it would purchase four C-130Js.^[36] In July 2016, French aerospace laboratory ONERA confirmed successful wind tunnel trials of a 36.5 m (120 ft) hose and drogue configuration that permits helicopter refuelling. Prior tests found instability in the intended 24 m (80 ft) hose due to vortices generated by the spoilers (deployed to achieve 108-130 kt air speed).^[37]

On 1 April 2016, ADS stated it was addressing production faults affecting 14 propeller gear boxes (PGBs) produced by Italian supplier Avio Aero in early 2015. The issue, involving a heat treatment process that weakened the ring gear, affected no other PGBs; the units involved needed changing. Airbus noted: "pending full replacement of the batch, any aircraft can continue to fly with no more than one affected propeller gear box installed and is subject to continuing inspections." Another PGB issue involved input pinion plug cracking, which could release small metallic particles into the oil system, which is safeguarded by a magnetic sensor; only engines 1 and 3, which have propellers that rotate to the right, are affected. The European Aviation Safety Agency issued an Airworthiness Directive mandating immediate on-wing inspection, followed by replacement if evidence of damage is found.^[38] On 27 April 2016, Airbus warned there may be a substantial PGB repair cost.^[39] An interim PCB fix was certified in July 2016, greatly extending inspection intervals.^[40]

In May 2016, Airbus confirmed that a cracking behaviour identified during quality control checks in 2011 was found in a French A400M's fuselage part; not affecting safety, it could be repaired during regular maintenance/upgrade schedules.^[41][42] The aluminium alloy, known as 7X6, was used in several central frames; its chemistry, along with environmental conditions, led to crack propagation. The alloy was excluded from future aircraft; a retrofit to remove it from early A400Ms was considered, which could take up to seven months.^[43]

On 29 May 2016, Airbus chief Tom Enders conceded in an interview published in Bild am Sonntag that some of the "massive problems" of the A400M were of Airbus' own making: "We underestimated the engine problems...Airbus had let itself be persuaded by some well-known European leaders into using an engine made by an inexperienced consortium." Furthermore, it had assumed full responsibility for the engine.^[44] On 27 July 2016, Airbus confirmed that it took a $1 billion charge over delivery issues and export prospects.^[45] Enders stated: "Industrial efficiency and the step-wise introduction of the A400M’s military functionalities are still lagging behind schedule and remain challenging."^[46]

Before the first flight, required airborne test time on the Europrop TP400 engine was gained using a Lockheed C-130 testbed aircraft, which first flew on 17 December 2008.^[47] On 11 December 2009, the A400M's maiden flight was carried out from Seville.^[1] On 8 April 2010, the second A400M made its first flight.^[48] In July 2010, the third A400M took to the air, at which point the fleet had flown 400 hours over more than 100 flights.^[49] In July 2010, the A400M passed ultimate-load testing of the wing.^[50] On 28 October 2010, Airbus announced the start of refuelling and air-drop tests.^[51] By October 2010, the A400M had flown 672 hours of the 2,700 hours expected to reach certification.^[52] In November 2010, the first paratroop jumps were performed; Airbus CEO Tom Enders and A400M project manager Bruno Delannoy were among the skydivers.^[53]

In late 2010, simulated icing tests were performed on the MSN1 flight test aircraft using devices installed on the wing's leading edges.^[54] These revealed an aerodynamic issue causing horizontal tail buffeting, resolved via a six-week retrofit to install anti-icing equipment fed with bleed air; production aircraft are similarly fitted.^[54] Winter tests were done in Kiruna, Sweden during February 2011.^[55] In March 2012, high altitude start and landing tests were performed at La Paz at 4,061.5 m (13,325 ft) and Cochabamba at 2,548 m (8,360 feet) in Bolivia.^[56][57]

By April 2011, a total of 1,400 flight hours over 450 flights had been achieved.^[58] In May 2011, the TP400-D6 engine received certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).^[59] In May 2011, the A400M fleet had totaled 1,600 hours over 500 flights; by September 2011, the total increased to 2,100 hours and 684 flights.^[60] Due to a gearbox problem, an A400M was shown on static display instead of a flight demonstration at the 2011 Paris Air Show.^[61] By October 2011, the total flight hours had reached 2,380 over 784 flights.^[62]

During May 2012, the MSN2 flight test aircraft was due to spend a week conducting unpaved runway trials on a grass strip at Cottbus-Drewitz Airport in Germany.^[63] Testing was cut short on 23 May, when, during a rejected takeoff test, the left side main wheels broke through the runway surface. Airbus Military stated that it found the aircraft's behaviour was "excellent". The undamaged aircraft returned to Toulouse.^[63]

On 14 March 2013, the A400M was granted type certification by the EASA, clearing its entry to service.^[64]

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. In February 2008, four Europrop TP400-D6 flight test engines were delivered for the first A400M.^[65] Static structural testing of a test airframe began on 12 March 2008 in Spain.^[66] By 2010, Airbus planned to manufacture 30 aircraft per year.^[67]

The first flight, originally scheduled for early 2008, was postponed due to delays and financial pressures. EADS announced in January 2008 that engine issues had been responsible for the delay. The rescheduled first flight, set for July 2008, was again postponed. Civil certification under European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) CS-25 shall be followed by certification for military uses. On 26 June 2008, the A400M was rolled out in Seville at an event presided by King Juan Carlos I of Spain.^[68]

On 12 January 2011, serial production formally commenced.^[69] On 1 August 2013, the first A400M was delivered to the French Air Force, it was formally handed over during a ceremony on 30 September 2013.^[70][71] On 9 August 2013, the first Turkish A400M conducted its maiden flight from Seville;^[72] in March 2015, Malaysia received its first A400M.^[73]

In May 2015, it was revealed that the member nations had created a Programme Monitoring Team (PMT) to review and monitor progress in the A400M's development and production. The PMT inspects the final assembly line in Seville and other production sites. Early conclusions observed that Airbus lacked an integrated approach to production, development and retrofits, treating these as separate programmes.^[74]

On 9 May 2015, an A400M crashed in Seville on its first test flight.^[75] Germany, Malaysia, Turkey and UK suspended flights during the investigation.^[76] Initial focus was on whether the crash was caused by new fuel supply management software for trimming the fuel tanks to enable certain manoeuvres; Airbus issued an update instructing operators to inspect all Engine Control Units (ECUs).^[77] A key scenario examined by investigators is that the torque calibration parameter data was accidentally wiped on three engines during software installation, preventing FADEC operations.^[78] On 3 June 2015, Airbus announced that investigators had confirmed "that engines one, two and three experienced power frozen after lift-off and did not respond to the crew's attempts to control the power setting in the normal way."^[79]

On 11 June 2015, Spain's Ministry of Defence announced that prototypes could restart test flights and that further permits could be granted soon.^[80] The RAF lifted its suspension on A400M flights on 16 June 2015, followed the next day by the Turkish Air Force.^[81] On 19 June 2015, deliveries restarted.^[82] In June 2016, the French Air Force accepted its ninth A400M, the first capable of conducting tactical tasks such as airdropping supplies. The revised standard includes the addition of cockpit armour and defensive aids system equipment, plus clearance to transfer and receive fuel in-flight.^[83]

The Airbus A400M increases the airlift capacity and range compared with the aircraft it was originally set to replace, the older versions of the Hercules and Transall. Cargo capacity is expected to double over existing aircraft, both in payload and volume, and range is increased substantially as well. The cargo box is 17.71 m long excluding ramp, 4.00 m wide, and 3.85 m high (or 4.00 m aft of the wing).^[84] The maximum payload of 37 tonnes can be carried over 2,000 nmi.^[85] The A400M operates in many configurations including cargo transport, troop transport, and medical evacuation. It is intended for use on short, soft landing strips and for long-range, cargo transport flights.^[86]

It features a fly-by-wire flight control system with sidestick controllers and flight envelope protection. Like other Airbus aircraft, the A400M has a full glass cockpit. Most systems are loosely based on those of the A380, but modified for the military mission. The hydraulic system has dual 3,000-psi channels powering the primary and secondary flight-control actuators, landing gear, wheel brakes, cargo door and optional hose-and-drogue refueling system. As with the A380, there is no third hydraulic system. Instead, there are two electrical systems; one is a set of dual-channel electrically powered hydraulic actuators, the other an array of electrically/hydraulically powered hybrid actuators. The dissimilar redundancy provides more protection against battle damage.^[87]

The wings are primarily carbon fibre reinforced plastic. The Ratier-Figeac FH385 propellers turn counterclockwise and FH386 clockwise.^[88][89] The eight-bladed scimitar propellers are made from a woven composite material. It is powered by four Europrop TP400-D6 engines rated at 8,250 kW (11,000 hp) each.^[90] The TP400-D6 engine is to be the most powerful turboprop engine in the West to enter operational use.^[59]

The pair of propellers on each wing turn in opposite directions, with the tips of the propellers advancing from above towards the midpoint between the two engines. This is in contrast to the overwhelming majority of multi-engine propeller driven aircraft where all propellers turn in the same direction. The counter-rotation is achieved by the use of a gearbox fitted to two of the engines, and only the propeller turns in the opposite direction; all four engines are identical and turn in the same direction. This eliminates the need to have two different "handed" engines on stock for the same aircraft, simplifying maintenance and supply costs; this configuration, dubbed down between engines (DBE), allowing it to produce more lift and lessens the torque and prop wash on each wing. It also reduces yaw in the event of an outboard engine failure.^[91]

A forward-looking infrared enhanced vision system (EVS) camera provides an enhanced terrain view in low-visibility conditions. The EVS imagery is displayed on the HUD for low altitude flying, demonstrating its value for flying tactical missions at night or in cloud.^[87] EADS and Thales provides the new Multi-Colour Infrared Alerting Sensor (MIRAS) missile warning sensor for the A400M.^[92][93]

The A400M has a removable refuelling probe mounted above the cockpit, allowing it to receive fuel from drogue-equipped tankers.^[94] Optionally, the receiving probe can be replaced with a fuselage-mounted UARRSI receptacle for receiving fuel from boom equipped tankers.^[95] It can also act as a tanker when fitted with two wing mounted hose and drogue under-wing refuelling pods or a centre-line Hose and Drum unit.^[94]

The A400M features deployable baffles in front of the rear side doors, intended to give paratroops time to get clear of the aircraft before they are hit by the slipstream.^[96]

On 29 December 2013, the French Air Force performed the A400M's first operational mission, the aircraft having flown to Mali in support of Operation Serval.^[97]

On 10 September 2015, the RAF was declared the A400M fleet leader in terms of flying hours, with 900 hours flown over 300 sorties, achieved by a fleet of four aircraft. Sqn. Ldr. Glen Willcox of the RAF's Heavy Aircraft Test Squadron confirmed that reliability levels were high for an aircraft so early in its career, and that night vision goggle trials, hot and cold soaking, noise characterization tests and the first tie-down schemes for cargo had already been completed. In March 2015, the RAF's first operational mission occurred flying cargo to RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus.^[98]

In September and October 2017, A400Ms from France, Germany and the UK participated in the disaster relief operations following Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean, delivering a Puma helicopter, food, water and other aid supply, and evacuating stranded people.^[99][100]

On 24 July 2018, the German Luftwaffe used an A400M for the first time to fly 75 soldiers from Wunstorf to Mazar-i-Sharif.^[101] German Air Force Inspector Ingo Gerhartz called this a "milestone" because it was the first such mission in an active war zone and showed that the armoring kit was fully functional.^[102]

On 7 September 2018, the French Air Force announced that they had logged 10,000 flying hours with their fleet of 14 A400Ms, mostly flying supply missions for Operation Barkhane.^[103]

The German government had planned to sell the last 13 A400Ms out of its order of 53 aircraft, but failed to attract any buyers. Instead the government decided to employ them in service. During a visit to the Wunstorf Air Base on 2 January 2019, the German Minister of Defence Ursula von der Leyen announced that the 13 A400Ms will be used to form a multinational airlift wing. Due to a lack of space at Wunstorf and for greater flexibility, the future air wing will be based at Lechfeld Air Base, near Augsburg which used to house the disbanded Jagdbombergeschwader 32.^[104]

In December 2004, South Africa announced it would purchase eight A400Ms at a cost of approximately €837 million, with the nation joining the Airbus Military team as an industrial partner. Deliveries were expected from 2010 to 2012.^[105] In 2009, South Africa cancelled all eight aircraft, citing increasing costs. On 29 November 2011, Airbus Military reached an agreement to refund pre-delivery payments worth €837 million to Armscor.^[106]

In July 2005, the Chilean Air Force signed a Memorandum of understanding for three aircraft,^[107] but no order has been placed; Chile began talks on buying the Brazilian Embraer KC-390.^[108] In December 2005, the Royal Malaysian Air Force ordered four A400Ms to supplement its fleet of C-130 Hercules.^[109]

In January 2017, Indonesia approved the acquisition of five A400Ms to boost the country's military airlift capabilities.^[110] In March 2017, a letter of intent with Airbus was signed by Pelita Air Services which represents a consortium of Indonesian aviation companies.^[111]

In February 2017, the Czech and Swiss Ministries of Defence stated they were interested in a joint lease of 13 A400Ms from Germany.^[112]

In March 2018, the Indonesian Air Force and state entity Indonesia Trading Company (ITC) announced they were considering ordering two A400Ms which would be crewed by the Indonesian Air Force and act in an air freight role helping to balance the prices of goods across the archipelago, they were interested in its ability to operate from rough landing strips where a normal air freighter could not and the possibility of industrial offsets.^[113]

In February 2019, South Korean's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) confirmed a proposal from Spain to swap an undeterminated number of KAI T-50 Golden Eagles and KAI KT-1 Woongbi trainers for A400M airlifters.^[114]

An A400M crashed on 9 May 2015, when aircraft MSN23, on its first test flight crashed shortly after take-off from San Pablo Airport in Seville, Spain, killing four Spanish Airbus crew and seriously injuring two others. Once airborne, the crew contacted air traffic controllers just before the crash about a technical failure,^[130] before colliding with an electricity pylon while attempting an emergency landing.^[131] The crash was attributed to the full authority digital engine control (FADEC) system being unable to read engine sensors properly due to an accidental file-wipe, resulting in three of its four propeller engines remaining in "Idle" mode during takeoff.^[132]

Data from Airbus Defence & Space specifications^[133]

General characteristics

Performance

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era