Канцлер ФРГ Шредер уверен в большом будущем программы A400M

Cause of much heated debate at the show was the RAF Hercules replacement contract - this wooden mock-up of FLA dominated one end of the static park.

Intending to power the Airbus A400M European military airlifter, the MTU M 138 was first revealed in mockup form in 1998 (1999)

After a protracted gestation period, it at last looks as if the A400M will be formally launched at this year’s Farnborough International Air Show. A decision on the powerplant selection is still awaited, but Airbus has stated that this will not impact adversely on the first flight, which remains set for 2006. The UK will design and manufacture the wing boxes for the A400M, but further details of any other UK industry involvement will await system and component selection later.

Artist's impression of the turboprop-powered Airbus A400M Future Large Aircraft (1999)

Программа A400M представлялась очень широко, главным образом, в связи с подписанием контракта на закупку 180 самолетов для 7 стран-участниц проекта

As well as being a capable airlifter, the A400M can be fitted with air-to-air refuelling pods under each wing and on the centreline. With two cargo bay fuel tanks installed, the type will have the same fuel off-load as an RAF VC.10 K.4. This computer-generated image of an A400M is shown replenishing a French Air Force Mirage 2000N.

Проект A400M в варианте заправщика

Nine countries have pledged to buy the A400M. The Airbus order book for the type currently stands at 192 aircraft.

16 мая 2000г.: министр обороны Великобритании Джефф Хун объявил о контрактах на закупку военной техники на общую стоимость свыше 5 млрд фунтов. В их число вошли контракт на закупку 25 тяжелых ВТС A400M (фото) и соглашение о лизинге четырех ВТС Boeing C-17 Globemaster III. Кроме того, 1 млрд фунтов был выделен на разработку и закупку англо-германских ракет "воздух-воздух" Meteor для истребителей Eurofighter.

A computer-generated image of an A400M ejecting flares for self-defence. Customers will have the option of fitting their aircraft with a comprehensive defensive aids suite. Initially, only nine RAF aircraft were to be delivered with chaff/flare dispensers, but as a result of experience in Afghanistan it has since been decided that all 25 aircraft will have the system.

Almost half of the military transport planes under 10 tonnes flying today are built by CASA. For 75 years at CASA we have been researching, developing and perfecting the most versatile integrated military transport system in the world, making us the authentic specialists. For this reason no one else can offer a range that is so complete, in constant development and adapted to all areas of use.

Although the White Paper cancelled future manned interceptors it accepted that for some roles, such as transport, manned aircraft would be essential for a number of years to come. Hence the A400M being developed half a century after publication of the Paper.

Artist's impression of the EuroFLAG proposal for the Future Large Aircraft programme in response to Staff Requirement (Air) 435. Of particular note are the T-tail and four turboprops driving six-blade propellers.

Проектный вид A-1400 в камуфляже британских ВВС

A400M - воплощение "европейского выбора" ?

A400M freight hold dimensions (1999)

Plan-view comparison between Short Belfast C.1 (in black) and Airbus A400M Atlas (in cyan), demonstrating how similar in size and general layout the two types are. The A400M’s four 11,000 h.p. Europrop TP400 turboprops and eight-bladed Ratier propellers, compared to the Belfast's 5,730 h.p. Rolls-Royce Tynes, provide the new transport with considerably better performance, particularly in terms of speed and range with payload.

Provisional drawing of the Airbus A400M military transport (1999)