Tuesday, July 20, 2010
A400M is expensive but lands on desert strips
The A400M can fly 37 tonnes 3450 miles to desert strips, for example. Boeing C17 needs a full modern jet runway so is no direct competition. The A400M is effectively more like a somewhat updated C130.
36 nations at least are considering purchase, from Latin America to South East Asia. In the Gulf the market is especially keen.
IMO: Could be used for many new purposes, not just new generation armored vehicle carrying. (e.g. inflight refuelling and many other newer uses). But it is grossly overbudget and one wonders whether UK can afford to carry the initial tab. More Europork for the 'cuts' ? Three C130J s, relatively troublefree but with some problems like fuel inefficiency, will possibly be available for the cost of one A400M.
36 nations at least are considering purchase, from Latin America to South East Asia. In the Gulf the market is especially keen.
IMO: Could be used for many new purposes, not just new generation armored vehicle carrying. (e.g. inflight refuelling and many other newer uses). But it is grossly overbudget and one wonders whether UK can afford to carry the initial tab. More Europork for the 'cuts' ? Three C130J s, relatively troublefree but with some problems like fuel inefficiency, will possibly be available for the cost of one A400M.
# posted by uv : 7:25 PM
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