Chris Pocock has been covering the defense beat for AIN for over 30&nbsp;years. He is a British citizen and a graduate of the University of Cambridge. Chris worked in the air cargo business for ten years before becoming a full-time writer in 1983. He subsequently edited two air cargo journals before becoming AIN’s Defense Editor. He retired from that position in 2018, but still contributes to the publication. Chris has written extensively on aerial reconnaissance, including four books on the history of the U-2 spyplane. He also lectures on this and other topics related to intelligence-gathering in the Cold War.

Defense Correspondent

Chris Pocock

Airbus Defence &amp; Space reported substantial progress in the flight-testing of functions and capabilities for the A400M airlifter. But negotiations with the seven launch partner nations about amending the contract again will continue into next year. In the past 12 months, Airbus has <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2015-07-31/airbus-declares-another-loss-a400m-program">made provision for losses</a> of €841 million ($925.2 million) on the A400M.

 


At media briefings in Seville last week, the company listed 14 capabilities that have already been certified, ranging from transport of heavy vehicles and helicopters through free-fall paratrooping to aerial delivery by gravity extraction. The full-flight envelope has been proved, including low-level flight in VMC, as well as operations onto harder types of unpaved runway. Another 18 capabilities or configurations remain to be proven, with some expected by year-end, including the first of a two-stage implementation of the Defensive Aids Sub-System (DASS), and air-to-air refueling (AAR) from wing pods.

 


Interestingly, the company did not present these capabilities in terms of SOC standards or Tranches, as previously agreed with the partner nations. New program head Kurt Rossner said that these standards had been dropped and that complex negotiations are taking place with officials from the OCCAR procurement agency, to agree exactly what capabilities should be delivered by 2019. Some capabilities are being delivered ahead of schedule, but others are behind. But, he said, the company’s relationship with the partner nations had been “substantially rebuilt.”

 


The biggest disappointment of the flight-test program has been the discovery that helicopters cannot refuel from the A400M. An instrumented EC725 Caracal showed evidence of undesirable aerodynamic stress on its rotor blades during AAR from an A400M. Surprisingly, the airflow problem is generated by the airlifter’s wings, rather than propwash from the large TP400 engines.&nbsp;Airbus has asked a research institute to investigate whether it would be feasible to extend the length of the refueling hose from the current 90 feet to 120-150 feet.&nbsp;

 


Sixteen A400Ms have now been delivered to France (seven); Germany (one); Malaysia (one); Turkey (two) and the UK (five). Deliveries have not accelerated as planned in 2015, because of the temporary grounding and disruption caused by <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2015-05-11/fatal-a400m-crash-disrupts-production-recovery-plan">the fatal crash in May</a>. But Airbus still hopes to hand over up to eight more by the end of the year. The airlifter has already “proved its worth in real operations” according to Rossner. These have included French missions to Africa, a German flight to Senegal, and Turkish flights to Afghanistan.

 


Antonio Barberan, military aircraft sales head for Airbus D&amp;S, said that the company has presented A400M sales proposals to nine countries. He would not confirm reports that Egypt is one of these, but did say that three were in Latin America, and also acknowledged discussions with Indonesia and New Zealand. Barberan predicted export sales of more than 300 over the next 30 years, with a target of 50 over the next five years. Exports will have to be coordinated with the launch partner nations, he added, presumably to release production slots. He did not mention the company’s obligation to pay export levies to the partner nations amounting to $1.5 billion on such sales, a legacy of <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2010-05-21/a400m-negotiations-continue-german-cuts-discussed">the rescue agreement</a> for the program in 2010.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Airbus Proves More A400M Capabilities, and Eyes Exports

But the airlifter can’t refuel helicopters, and negotiations with the partner nations over another contract amendment are continuing.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Chad Trautvetter

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

All regions outside of Europe saw increases in flight activity during the month

Surprise North America Gain Boosts Bizav Flying in October

Kerry Lynch

Jet shipments fell by one unit,  to 30, but revenues soared 12%

Bombardier Deliveries Dip in 3Q, but Revenues Jump

Charles Alcock

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Plan is based on modifications by U.S. entrepreneur/engineer Mike Patey

Draco Set to Breathe New Life Into Polish STOL Aircraft Design

PC-12 fleet logged 316,328 takeoffs in the U.S. between August 2023 and July 2024

Pilatus PC-12 Fleet Takes Top Flying Honors in U.S.

Technology is being deployed from across the European aerospace group for the program

CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL Prototype Starts Flight Testing in Germany

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

U.S. air ambulance operator looks to electrify its fleet

Aeromed Operator Metro Orders 20 Beta Alia 250 eVTOLs

Public flight took place on November 2 against the backdrop of Mount Fuji in Japan

Joby Demonstrates Its eVTOL Aircraft For the First Time Outside the U.S.

Matt Thurber

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

More In Aircraft

Surprise North America Gain Boosts Bizav Flying in October

All regions outside of Europe saw increases in flight activity during the month

Bombardier Deliveries Dip in 3Q, but Revenues Jump

Jet shipments fell by one unit, to 30, but revenues soared 12%

Draco Set to Breathe New Life Into Polish STOL Aircraft Design

Plan is based on modifications by U.S. entrepreneur/engineer Mike Patey

Pilatus PC-12 Fleet Takes Top Flying Honors in U.S.

PC-12 fleet logged 316,328 takeoffs in the U.S. between August 2023 and July 2024

CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL Prototype Starts Flight Testing in Germany

Technology is being deployed from across the European aerospace group for the program

Aeromed Operator Metro Orders 20 Beta Alia 250 eVTOLs

U.S. air ambulance operator looks to electrify its fleet

Joby Demonstrates Its eVTOL Aircraft For the First Time Outside the U.S.

Public flight took place on November 2 against the backdrop of Mount Fuji in Japan

Game Composites Delivers 100th Aerobatic GameBird

Certified in 2019, the GB1 is an aerobatic airplane that is comfortable for flying longer distances

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN