A4OOM is offered as FLA contender

June 13th, 1999

Airbus is pushing hard for the European Future Large Aircraft (FLA)contract, for which there is a possible order of 288 units, with considerable export potential to the eventual winner.

Airbus Military Company, a subsidiary of Airbus Industrie formed in January this year, is nearing completion of a series of discussions with the seven European governments (France, Germany, UK, Italy, Spain, Belgium and Turkey) involved in the FLA tactical and strategic air transport project. The discussions focus on the formal proposal submitted by Airbus Military. Airbus is hoping that their proposals will lead to production contracts in early 2000.

As a tactical air transport air craft the A400M is designed to replace the C-130 Hercules and C-160 Transall, the A4OOM will offer an impressive level of tactical performance. The A4OOM is being designed to carry 30 tonnes (66,OOOlbs) of payload up to 2,800 nm/5200 km - bringing most of the Middle East and North Africa within range of European cities. Alternatively, it could carry a 20 tonne (44,OOOlbs) payload up to 3900 nm/7200 km.

Airbus say that with a wide fuselage capable of carrying all the equipment requirements laid down by the participating nations, the A4OOM will be ideal for the rapid deployment of armed forces or humanitarian missions anywhere in the world. Airbus says the A400M is larger and more capable than the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, and more economical than the much larger Boeing C-17.

Possible military payloads include six Land Rovers and trailers, two attack helicopters, or a fully laden armoured personnel carrier. The A4OOM will also airdrop cargo and paratroops and will have refuelling and tanking capability.

Analysis of a typical joint rapid reaction force (JRRF) deployment - sending 7,000 troops and 14,700 tonnes (3.2 million lbs) of equipment to the Gulf in 12 days -shows that the A4OOM can deliver up to twice as much daily payload as its competitors, for the same 30-year life-cycle costs.

Airbus Military Company brings together Airbus Industrie, as its majority shareholder, with Aerospatiale Matra-Airbus of France, Alenia of Italy, British Aerospace, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace Airbus of Germany, CASA of Spain, FLABEL of Belgium and Turkish Aerospace Industries. Its aim is to bring Airbus Industrie's expertise in airliner design, cost-effective production and support to the military transport market. European industry experience in the military transport field includes the Franco-German Transall, the Italian G-222, and the Spanish C-212 and CN-235.

The industrial shares of the seven companies involved in the A4OOM will be roughly proportional to the orders placed by each of their national armed forces whilst building on the existing Airbus centres of expertise. The A4OOM is the only aircraft to fully meet the harmonised set of requirements set out in the European Staff requirement. It is currently anticipated that CASA will undertake final assembly of the A4OOM at Seville in Spain.

The A4OOM first flight is scheduled for 2004 followed by first deliveries in 2006.

REF XQQEE XQQAR