A400M Update

KarelXWB · Mon Jul 25, 2016 2:34 pm

Update on the in-flight helicopter refuelling capability:

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/artic ... ng-427792/

KarelXWB · Wed Jul 27, 2016 7:07 am

Program update:

On the A400M programme, five aircraft were delivered in the first half of 2016. The European Aviation Safety Agency certified an interim fix to the engine propeller gearbox (PGB) which, once available, will give air forces at least 650 flight hours before initial inspections of the affected parts of the PGB. The first major development milestone of the mission capability roadmap defined with customers earlier this year was successfully completed in June with certification and delivery of ‘MSN 33’, the 9th aircraft for the French customer. Industrial efficiency and military capability remain a challenge for the A400M programme. Furthermore, the EASA’s Airworthiness Directive, linked to the PGB on the engine, and various PGB quality issues have strongly impacted the customer delivery programme. Management has subsequently reviewed the programme evolution and estimated contract result incorporating the implications at this time of the revised engine programme and its associated recovery plan, technical issues related to the aluminium alloy used for some parts within the aircraft, recurring cost convergence issues and finally some delays, escalation and cost overruns in the development programme. As a result of the review, including an updated assumption of export orders during the launch contract phase, Defence and Space recorded an additional net charge of € 1,026 million. Commercial negotiations with OCCAR and the Nations are yet to take place with regard to the revised delivery schedule and its implications. As of today, the outcome of these negotiations cannot be reliably estimated. The potential impacts on the financial statements could be significant.

http://www.airbusgroup.com/int/en/news- ... A%3D~.html

Grizzly410 · Wed Sep 14, 2016 7:54 am

Last week the German Air Force took delivery of MSN40.
Yesterday Royal Air Force took delivery of MSN34.
11 delivery so far in 2016.

KarelXWB · Wed Oct 05, 2016 1:55 pm

A400M customers seem to be satisfied with the temporary engine fix.

http://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-fin ... 02545.html

A permanent fix remains scheduled for 2017.

Revelation · Fri Oct 07, 2016 3:54 pm

Airbus defends A400M as main buyers hedge bets with U.S. rival ( http://www.reuters.com/article/us-airbu ... SKCN126204 ) says:

Airbus (AIR.PA) put a brave face on plans by France and Germany - the two main buyers of its troubled A400M military transporter - to operate an extra fleet of rival U.S. planes, saying it would spur European co-operation.

The two countries agreed this week to study a joint tactical airlift pool of Lockheed Martin (LMT.N) C-130J aircraft alongside the delayed A400M, with Germany looking at buying 4-6 U.S. troop planes on top of four ordered by France.

This puts a dent in longstanding plans for a fully European airlift capability around the A400M, and comes against a backdrop of tough negotiations with Airbus over delay penalties.

It's very interesting that DE is going to buy more C-130Js especially since it is not planning to take all of the A400Ms it has on order, allegedly due to financial issues, yet they are finding the money to buy C-130Js on relatively short notice?

Germany's military initially planned to operate only A400M transport planes once its C-160 Transall is retired in 2021, but studies later suggested it would need extra planes that could land on rough terrain more easily than the bulkier A400M.

Hoke insisted that the A400M could land everywhere that a Boeing (BA.N) C-17 transporter, C-130 or C-160 could.

This too is an interesting dichotomy.

mrg · Fri Oct 07, 2016 5:43 pm

The C-160 fleet is getting long in the tooth. The Germans need something smaller than the A400M. No other A400M customer was or is planning a single-type tactical transporter fleet.
I'm going to be so bold as to suggest that the C130J got the nod because of the AdlA order.

I had been hoping that the Luftwaffe would consider the C-295.

With regard to the A400M's landing abilities, its landing gear is based on that of the C-160. The C-160 easily matches the C-130.

KarelXWB · Fri Dec 02, 2016 10:37 pm

Spain took delivery of its first A400M:

Airbus A400M -180 44 T.23-01/31-21 Fuerza Aérea Española delivery 01dec16 SVQ-ZAZ ex A4M044

CX747 · Sat Dec 10, 2016 3:29 am

C-130J got the French order and German nod because the bird has proven itself big time downrange with the USAF and USMC. Successful in-theater ops speak volumes against failed testing in non-kinetic airspace.

TK105 · Sat Dec 10, 2016 1:54 pm

Turkish Army is using A400M for transfering personel for Operation EuphratesShield.

WIederling · Sat Dec 10, 2016 2:26 pm

First A400M with a chance to be shot down by S400 ?

jupiter2 · Sat Dec 10, 2016 3:39 pm

With that seating arrangement, it would be an interesting process evacuating in an emergency.

WIederling · Sat Dec 10, 2016 4:39 pm

jupiter2 wrote:
With that seating arrangement, it would be an interesting process evacuating in an emergency.

Its side seating, larger aisle, 2seats,,small aisle, 2seats, larger aisle, side seating. for ~6 across?

open the back and tip up at the front :-)

AirlineCritic · Sun Dec 11, 2016 2:13 pm

TK105 wrote:
Turkish Army is using A400M for transfering personel for Operation EuphratesShield.

Hmm. Forces of darkness on their way to a mission?

WIederling · Sun Dec 11, 2016 3:00 pm

AirlineCritic wrote:
Hmm. Forces of darkness on their way to a mission?

Its is "post mission". IS troops cloaked as Tk army flown out. Like Vietnam. ...

KarelXWB · Mon Dec 12, 2016 2:26 pm

New capabilities are online:

Airbus Defence and Space has delivered to the German Air Force its first A400M transport aircraft qualified for tactical operations and able to fly in areas subject to military threats.

The aircraft is the sixth A400M in German service and the first with the new capabilities in addition to the world-leading performance of all A400Ms as strategic transports. All aircraft will be retrofitted to the new standard and receive subsequent enhancements as those are certified.

Key aspects of the aircraft’s latest capabilities are improvements in its self-defence systems, ability to air-drop cargo loads, and paratrooping. Additionally it can operate on unprepared runways, fly as low as 150ft above the ground, refuel other aircraft as a tanker, and safely take-off and land in extremely high temperatures.

https://airbusdefenceandspace.com/newsr ... airlifter/

Grizzly410 · Thu Dec 22, 2016 4:30 pm

December in Sevilla :
December 12th MSN43 delivered to German Air Force 54+07
December 19th MSN41 delivered to German Air Force 54+06
December 22nd MSN42 and 45 delivered to Royal Air Force ZM412 & ZM413

17 delivery in 2016 so far, I recall reading French Minister of Defense claim that another A/C was due to French Air Force in 2016, so maybe another delivery before year end, likely MSN53.

Interesting fact, MSN56 can be seen half completed (miss engines, APU and paint) and parked outside FAL for a couple of weeks. It had Turkish flag on the tail ("green A/C" all have MSN number and flag of customer on the tail before paint) but was removed, I would think it's not attributed anymore but not sure, it could be an early frame for Egypt if the deal materialize, or an opportunity to attract a new customer who'd need a frame quick ?

KarelXWB · Wed Dec 28, 2016 2:13 pm

Any idea why MSN 27 is not yet delivered?

Grizzly410 · Thu Dec 29, 2016 8:05 pm

It's a 2016 delivery.
I have it with ToT signed on july 18th this year, as ZM407, after DASS modification in Getafe.

Grizzly410 · Wed Jan 04, 2017 11:58 am

Monday took place the MSN53 ToT with French Air Force (F-RBAK). I understand it's a 2016 delivery for Airbus D&S, so a total of 18 frames delivered in 2016.

Not so bad but T. Enders wanted a number starting by a 2...
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/artic ... -i-422343/

KarelXWB · Tue Feb 07, 2017 4:50 pm

An update on the German A400M:

Germany is in talks with several countries, including the Czech Republic and Switzerland, about jointly operating a large number of the 13 Airbus A400M military transport planes it had planned to sell, a German newspaper reported.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-airbu ... SKBN15L2G3

WIederling · Tue Feb 07, 2017 5:30 pm

Some announcements around that Ms v.d.Leyen will go to Lithuania by A400M.
https://www.ndr.de/info/nachrichten287.html
abortive to loosing an engine.

Triebwerkschaden an von der Leyens A400M
Vilnius: Der Besuch von Verteidigungsministerin von der Leyen in Litauen ist mit einer technischen Panne zu Ende gegangen. Gleich bei ihrer ersten Dienstreise mit einem modernen A400M-Transportflugzeug fiel ein Triebwerk aus. Die Maschine musste nach Angaben des Verteidigungsministeriums auf dem Flughafen im litauischen Kaunas stehen bleiben. Von der Leyen und ihre Delegation fliegen mit einer älteren Transall-Maschine zurück nach Berlin. Die Verteidigungsministerin hatte in Litauen das von der Bundeswehr geführte Nato-Bataillon besucht. Dabei betonte sie, das baltische Land sei geschützt vom größten Militärbündnis aller Zeiten. Dem Nato-Gefechtsverband in Litauen gehören insgesamt 1.000 Soldaten an; knapp die Hälfte davon stellt die Bundeswehr.

Revelation · Tue Feb 07, 2017 10:47 pm

WIederling wrote:
Some announcements around that Ms v.d.Leyen will go to Lithuania by A400M.
https://www.ndr.de/info/nachrichten287.html
abortive to loosing an engine.

Triebwerkschaden an von der Leyens A400M
Vilnius: Der Besuch von Verteidigungsministerin von der Leyen in Litauen ist mit einer technischen Panne zu Ende gegangen. Gleich bei ihrer ersten Dienstreise mit einem modernen A400M-Transportflugzeug fiel ein Triebwerk aus. Die Maschine musste nach Angaben des Verteidigungsministeriums auf dem Flughafen im litauischen Kaunas stehen bleiben. Von der Leyen und ihre Delegation fliegen mit einer älteren Transall-Maschine zurück nach Berlin. Die Verteidigungsministerin hatte in Litauen das von der Bundeswehr geführte Nato-Bataillon besucht. Dabei betonte sie, das baltische Land sei geschützt vom größten Militärbündnis aller Zeiten. Dem Nato-Gefechtsverband in Litauen gehören insgesamt 1.000 Soldaten an; knapp die Hälfte davon stellt die Bundeswehr.

Translation:

Der Google wrote:
Engine damage to the Leyens A400M
Vilnius: The visit of Defense Minister Leyen in Lithuania has come to an end with a technical breakdown. A jet engine fell out just like her first mission with a modern A400M
transport aircraft. According to the Ministry of Defense, the aircraft had to stop at the airport in Kaunas, Lithuania. Leyen and their delegation fly back to Berlin with an older Transall machine. The Minister of Defense had visited the NATO battalion led by the Bundeswehr in Lithuania. She emphasized that the Baltic country was protected by the greatest military alliance ever. The NATO Combat Federation in Lithuania has a total of 1,000 soldiers; Almost half of it represents the Bundeswehr.

Schade...

WIederling · Wed Feb 08, 2017 11:19 am

Revelation wrote:
Schade...

Looks like prop hub or gearbox damage? .. or just an oil leak?
http://www.lvz.de/var/storage/images/rn ... Teaser.jpg

Rumor has it that the Luftwaffe disassembled their new toys to have hands on experience :-?

WIederling · Thu Feb 09, 2017 8:10 am

WIederling wrote:
Rumor has it that the Luftwaffe disassembled their new toys to have hands on experience

This mornings newspaper here (SH:Z) writes about the fact that
from the 8 delivered items exactly one is in flightworthy conditions.

* One is in the process of getting upgrades. (OK)
* Three are out of order ( i.e. "in Reparatur" )
* Three are in planned maintenance.

Damage for the one stuck in Litunia is said to be hydraulics related.

Why is it that French A400M seem to perform like clockwork
while Germany portrays a disaster in the making.
some political shenanigans in the works?
There is a reason the lady is nicknamed Ulla von der Lügen.

VSMUT · Thu Feb 09, 2017 9:04 am

WIederling wrote:
Why is it that French A400M seem to perform like clockwork
while Germany portrays a disaster in the making.
some political shenanigans in the works?
There is a reason the lady is nicknamed Ulla von der Lügen.

It's not just the A400M. The German NH-90s, EF2000s and Tigres are also full of problems that many other operators don't have.

WIederling · Thu Feb 09, 2017 9:14 am

VSMUT wrote:
WIederling wrote:
Why is it that French A400M seem to perform like clockwork
while Germany portrays a disaster in the making.
some political shenanigans in the works?
There is a reason the lady is nicknamed Ulla von der Lügen.

It's not just the A400M. The German NH-90s, EF2000s and Tigres are also full of problems that many other operators don't have.

Starfighter, <shrug>.

SeJoWa · Thu Feb 09, 2017 12:21 pm

The Luftwaffe's Starfighter saga (shiny! new! prestige!) and the many pilots it forcibly parted from their earthly existence is morbidly interesting.

This is more current, and involves a lot of imprudent planning or really shoddy decision making over the years:
Navy, Marine F-18s In ‘Death Spiral’ As Readiness Plummets | February 08, 2017
http://breakingdefense.com/2017/02/navy ... -plummets/

Balerit · Thu Feb 09, 2017 2:53 pm

RAF in Cape Town

Balerit · Thu Feb 09, 2017 2:55 pm

Engines 1 & 4 have an unpainted access panel over the gearbox, anyone know why?

Channex757 · Thu Feb 09, 2017 3:35 pm

Balerit wrote:
Engines 1 & 4 have an unpainted access panel over the gearbox, anyone know why?

That's something I have wondered about for a while. Maybe it's down to there being a different gearbox behind it.

More moving parts making it run hotter?

KarelXWB · Wed Feb 22, 2017 9:37 am

A400M program takes another $1.3 billion charge:

Airbus (AIR.PA) called for new talks with European governments to ease "heavy penalties" for delays to its A400M military aircraft on Wednesday, after taking a fresh 1.2-billion-euro ($1.3 billion) charge in the latest blow to Europe's largest defense project.

Chief Executive Tom Enders told reporters the aerospace group was still paying for the "original sin" of striking an unrealistic procurement deal when the plane was launched in 2003.

Airbus won a 3.5 billion euro bailout from seven European NATO nations in 2010 after being saddled with liability for wild cost overruns on its engines.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-airbu ... SKBN1610MD

Revelation · Wed Feb 22, 2017 12:33 pm

KarelXWB wrote:
A400M program takes another $1.3 billion charge:

Airbus (AIR.PA) called for new talks with European governments to ease "heavy penalties" for delays to its A400M military aircraft on Wednesday, after taking a fresh 1.2-billion-euro ($1.3 billion) charge in the latest blow to Europe's largest defense project.

Chief Executive Tom Enders told reporters the aerospace group was still paying for the "original sin" of striking an unrealistic procurement deal when the plane was launched in 2003.

Airbus won a 3.5 billion euro bailout from seven European NATO nations in 2010 after being saddled with liability for wild cost overruns on its engines.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-airbu ... SKBN1610MD

I guess Keesje's vision of it all being peaches and cream at Airbus isn't 100% accurate.

Grizzly410 · Wed Feb 22, 2017 1:15 pm

Grizzly410 wrote:
Monday took place the MSN53 ToT with French Air Force (F-RBAK). I understand it's a 2016 delivery for Airbus D&S, so a total of 18 frames delivered in 2016.

Finally Airbus reports 17 deliveries in 2016, therefore this MSN53 is booked as a 2017 delivery. No 13rd month at Airbus D&S ? :irked:

I also missed MSN46 [GAF 54+08] delivery this year, which is the second of 2017 stated in the report.

A400M: 17 a/c delivered FY16. 2 a/c YTD 2017.

http://www.airbusgroup.com/int/en/news- ... y2016.html

edit : spelling

KarelXWB · Wed Feb 22, 2017 1:19 pm

Delivery target for 2017 is set at 20 aircraft.

Grizzly410 · Wed Feb 22, 2017 1:34 pm

Where did you read that Karel ?
I've been told 22.

KarelXWB · Wed Feb 22, 2017 6:57 pm

Grizzly410 wrote:
Where did you read that Karel ?
I've been told 22.

https://twitter.com/R_Wall/status/834350313297604608

Grizzly410 · Thu Feb 23, 2017 12:22 pm

I'm confused, is it possible that Mr Wall misread is own article ?? The only part where we can read something about A400M deliveries is this :

The first A400M entered service with the French air force in 2013, years late, and problems persisted. Mr. Enders last year promised to deliver at least 20 A400Ms in 2016. Airbus shipped 17.

It says nothing about 2017 deliveries, just that the 20 promised last year didn't materialize.

KarelXWB · Thu Feb 23, 2017 9:44 pm

Revelation wrote:
I guess Keesje's vision of it all being peaches and cream at Airbus isn't 100% accurate.

Although the A400M continues to be a financial drag, Airbus' overall performance in 2016 was in line with its guidance.

Themack · Wed Mar 22, 2017 12:58 pm

The last couple of days the A400M has been doing brake testing on EHTW, Twenthe aiport, Does anybody know why Airbus opted to go to EHTW?

Dutchy · Wed Mar 22, 2017 1:58 pm

Nationaal ruimte en luchtvaart laboratorium are involved in this. Guess that's why.

In Dutch, with a nice clip of the A400 arriving. It supposed to be gone again. https://www.upinthesky.nl/2017/03/21/a4 ... ld-twente/

Didn't know Twenthe Airport was semi-operational.

Themack · Wed Mar 22, 2017 4:19 pm

Dutchy wrote:
Nationaal ruimte en luchtvaart laboratorium are involved in this. Guess that's why.

In Dutch, with a nice clip of the A400 arriving. It supposed to be gone again. https://www.upinthesky.nl/2017/03/21/a4 ... ld-twente/

Didn't know Twenthe Airport was semi-operational.

It still us under goverment supervision, per the 30th of March it will receive a civil status. NLR performed lots of flights the last couple of months to see what are the best flying routes for aircraft.
Link(in dutch): http://www.luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nieuws/c ... dichterbij

COMAC is also looking at EHTW to see if they can do certification testing there.

SCAT15F · Fri Mar 24, 2017 2:28 am

Maybe AB is already doing this, but is the A400M being offered in a civilian/commercial cargo version?

On a more "out-there" note, I would be very interested to see the how the economics of a passenger version would compare to contemporary turbofan aircraft, especially as there are no airliners optimized for 1000-2500 nmi sectors that seat ~275 passengers (which is what I figure a pax version would carry). Cruise speed is definitely fast enough to be competitive on those stage lengths.

Grizzly410 · Fri Mar 24, 2017 11:34 am

SCAT15F wrote:
Maybe AB is already doing this, but is the A400M being offered in a civilian/commercial cargo version?

No, and not anytime soon IMO.
I know the design change to produce a "green aircraft" (without military system) have been studied and is known. I think it was needed by sales team for their difficult export campaign more than a plan for a civilian cargo derivative. For sure the bird would be very capable for such a role, too much capable, actually.
On top, no way Airbus D&S would be able to cut prices enough to make it more attractive.

SCAT15F · Fri Mar 24, 2017 3:05 pm

That's too bad... I would love to have seen a civilian version. I hope at least the engines will be used for a civilian twin, like Keesje's turboliner.

Slug71 · Sun Mar 26, 2017 8:53 pm

I really hope a 2 engine variant to replace the C-295 and C-160 comes along.
There's a pic of a A410m floating around and it looks great.
Should really benefit development of the engine and probably help with cost too.

Grizzly410 · Mon Mar 27, 2017 7:54 am

Europrop would have to drastically improve on reliability before anyone consider hanging its TP400 on another platform.

WIederling · Mon Mar 27, 2017 11:39 am

Grizzly410 wrote:
Europrop would have to drastically improve on reliability before anyone consider hanging its TP400 on another platform.

Please turn to Avio's new owner GE.

Revelation · Mon Mar 27, 2017 12:16 pm

WIederling wrote:
Grizzly410 wrote:
Europrop would have to drastically improve on reliability before anyone consider hanging its TP400 on another platform.

Please turn to Avio's new owner GE.

Please give us some evidence that GE's investment in Avio will lead to commercial levels of reliability for the TP400.

WIederling · Mon Mar 27, 2017 5:23 pm

Revelation wrote:
Please give us some evidence that GE's investment in Avio will lead to commercial levels of reliability for the TP400.

IMHO it looks like it is the other way round?
Afaics we didn't see such a pronounced problem with the "zero" series test frames.

Grizzly410 · Tue Mar 28, 2017 1:34 pm

WIederling wrote:
Afaics we didn't see such a pronounced problem with the "zero" series test frames.

I don't think you can compare test frame availability with series airframes.
The test frame are flying with so much limitations, a lot of which won't be allowed for normal operation, making those machine more available by defect.

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