Western Civilian and Military Aircraft Development

bd popeye

The Last Jedi
VIP Professional
Post your comments on the Airbus A400M Military transport.. If the ban against arm sales to China was ever lifted should China purchase this aircraft? If so, how many? And when shall China improve it's airlift ablities??

Hey planeman draw us a Spectre version of this fine bird!

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The new military Airbus A400M transport plane takes off during its exhibition flight at Seville, Spain, Friday, Dec. 11, 2009. The A400M military transport plane that has been causing Airbus and European defense ministers budgetary and logistical headaches finally took to the skies for its inaugural flight. The A400M program was launched six years ago with an order for 180 planes from seven governments:Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain and Turkey, but the project is running at least three years behind schedule. (AP)
 

bd popeye

The Last Jedi
VIP Professional
Re: Airbus A400M now Airborne!!

Specifications for the A400M

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Cargo Hold Length (excluding ramp) 17.71 m (58 ft 1 in)
Ramp useful Length 5.40 m (17 ft 9 in)
Cargo Hold Height 3.85 m (12 ft 7 in)
Cargo Hold Height aft of wing 4.00 m (13 ft 1 in)
Cargo Hold Width 4.00 m (13 ft 1 in)
Cargo Hold Volume (gross)³ 340 m (12,007 ft³)

Weights
Max. Take-off Weight 141,000 kg (310,851 lb)
Max. Landing Weight 122,000 kg (268,963 lb)
Maximum Payload 37,000 kg (81,571 lb)
Internal Fuel Weight 50,500 kg (111,330 lb)

Cargo Hold Dimensions
Max. Operating Altitude - Normal Operations 11,278 m (37,000 ft)
Cruise Speed Range (Mach) 0.68 – 0.72 M
Engines 4 x EuroProp International TP400-D6
Engine Power Rating 11,000 shp class

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  • Head-up Displays;
  • Enhanced Vision System /FLIR;
  • Low Level Flight (500 ft) in IMC on autopilot;
  • Automated CG calculation;
  • Automated Defensive Aids Systems;
  • Simple EMCOM switching;
  • Simplified switching, uncluttered screens;
  • Automated Tanker and Receiver fuel control;
  • Auto Fuel Tank Interting.

EngineBig.jpg
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Symmetrical airflow over the wings resulting in better lift distribution and thus more efficient wing design with savings in weight; Improved handling qualities for “engine out” case resulting in smaller tail-plane with associated savings in weight and drag

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All new 3-shaft Turboprop Engine in the class of 11 000 shp resulting in:


  • High-level cruise speeds of between 0.68 and 0.72 Mach.
  • Low-level airspeeds of up to 300 knots for tactical operations
Sophisticated FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) optimising power-plant efficiency and greatly reducing pilot workload; 8-bladed Propeller having a carbon spar and a composite shell with a polyurethane coating.

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First large military aircraft with extensive use of composite (> 30%) for wings (including main spars), cargo door and tail-plane;
CFRP’s usage reduces structural fatigue, thus maximising structural life and reduces concerns about corrosion on major components.
 

montyp165

Junior Member
Re: Airbus A400M now Airborne!!

Well, it took them long enough to finally get it airborne, the An-70 already had a flying example for several years now. As for the PLAAF, development of the Y-9 continues so there's not really a reason for the PLA to acquire these in any event.
 

bd popeye

The Last Jedi
VIP Professional
Re: Airbus A400M now Airborne!!

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Spanish pilot Ignacio Lombo gives a thumbs up from the cabin of the European military transport Airbus A400M, after landing at San Pablo aerodrome in Seville, southern Spain, 11 December 2009, following the maiden flight. The plane, built by European EADS, is part of a 20 billion euro project threatened by soaring costs after a two-year development delay. After running its four TP400-D6 turboprop engines for several minutes, the A400M taxied towards the runway and took off. On board the plane travelled captains Ignacio Lombo of Spain and Edward Strongman of the UK and four French engineers
 

Mr T

Senior Member
Re: Airbus A400M now Airborne!!

Shame it took so long that now Europe is in recession/coming out of recession. Don't be too surprised if various governments back out and/or make Airbus pay up for being late.
 

TerraN_EmpirE

Tyrant King
Re: Airbus A400M now Airborne!!

chances of a Specter A400 are about the same as Zombies walking the earth... (and one wonders on the odds of a A400 gunship being called in too take care of that eventuality)
there is not currently a need from the counties Ordering and it's not likely too be ordered by countries who would want one.
 

bd popeye

The Last Jedi
VIP Professional
Re: Airbus A400M now Airborne!!

chances of a Specter A400 are about the same as Zombies walking the earth... (and one wonders on the odds of a A400 gunship being called in too take care of that eventuality)

I can dream can't I:confused::D..whoa! I've been in Chinese forums too long!

On a side note the new Boeing 787 flew for the first time today but like the A400 two years behind schedule..:rolleyes:

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The first production Boeing 787 takes off on it's inaugural flight at Paine Field in Everett, Wash. on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009. Pilots Michael Carriker and Randall Neville lifted off in the big blue and white jet shortly after 10 a.m. PST from Everett's Paine Field on a four-hour flight over Washington state, beginning the extensive flight test program needed to obtain the plane's Federal Aviation Administration certification.

mods note >> I may change the name of this thread to Western Civilian and Military aircraft development..I might. Gotta think about it...

bd popeye super moderator
 

rhino123

Pencil Pusher
VIP Professional
Re: Airbus A400M now Airborne!!

Anyway, I don't think China would need any of the A400. They could get cheaper alternative from the Russian and the Ukraine. Plus, as pointed out before by other posters, the Chinese Y-9 programe is underway.

Unless Airbus agreed to a technology transfer, I don't actually see much chance of China getting this aircraft.
 

AssassinsMace

Lieutenant General
Re: Airbus A400M now Airborne!!

Those both are beautiful aircraft. I remember when they were planning to have people fly to the Beijing Olympics in Dreamliners.
 

bd popeye

The Last Jedi
VIP Professional
I just saw a nice article about the 787 on TV..and I agree with A-Mace..tis a beautiful aircraft.

As you gents can see I've re-named this thread....

Western Civilian and Military Aircraft Development

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Sikorsky Aerospace Maintenance rolled out the first U.S. Customs & amp; Border Protection Agency (CBP) UH-60 A-A to L recapitalization aircraft at its Chase Field Operations Center.

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SpaceShipTwo is pictured mounted under a twin-hulled aircraft named Eve inside a hangar in Mojave, California December 7, 2009. Virgin Atlantic on Monday unveiled the first commercial passenger spaceship, a sleek black-and-white vessel that represents a gamble with a sky-high price tag to create a commercial space and tourism industry. The company hopes the winged, minivan-sized SpaceShipTwo, will rocket tourists into zero gravity beginning in two or three years.
 
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