Airbus A400M Atlas (RAF)

[topman]

We just need better serviceability from them.

[Timmymagic]

We just need better serviceability from them.

Is it the usual failure to purchase enough spares that is the issue? Or is it certain components that are failing/wearing earlier than expected? Or delays in production of spares and their dispatch to the user?

[Gtal]

Certainly the RAF appears to have so far treated the A400s a bit like an unwanted
step-child..

If you compare the progress of operationalizing it's full capabilities and general activity to France and Germany, the UK has been quite a bit slower in getting stuff like parachuting and air drop task lines fully operationalised.

The Germans are of course procuring more than twice as many planes as the UK, but they've really been flying them much more.
I believe during the Sudan evacuation they had 15 A400 airborne simultaneously.

They're using them as airtankers all the time and all over the place too. In the middle East, refuelling allies over Syria, going on world tours to US and also Asia as well as training with Eurofighter/Tornados a lot in Germany/Europe.
Meanwhile I've heard UK representatives twice dismiss A400 use as tanker implying the fueling pods were fragile or suffering extreme wear...

[topman]

We just need better serviceability from them.

Is it the usual failure to purchase enough spares that is the issue? Or is it certain components that are failing/wearing earlier than expected? Or delays in production of spares and their dispatch to the user?

Yes the usual issues plus some airbus specific ones.

[topman]

Certainly the RAF appears to have so far treated the A400s a bit like an unwanted
step-child..

If you compare the progress of operationalizing it's full capabilities and general activity to France and Germany, the UK has been quite a bit slower in getting stuff like parachuting and air drop task lines fully operationalised.

The Germans are of course procuring more than twice as many planes as the UK, but they've really been flying them much more.
I believe during the Sudan evacuation they had 15 A400 airborne simultaneously.

They're using them as airtankers all the time and all over the place too. In the middle East, refuelling allies over Syria, going on world tours to US and also Asia as well as training with Eurofighter/Tornados a lot in Germany/Europe.
Meanwhile I've heard UK representatives twice dismiss A400 use as tanker implying the fueling pods were fragile or suffering extreme wear...

I don't know how much the GAF use them per yr/per airframe. But if you've got some figures, I'd be interested.
Previous experience with the Germans suggests less or the same.

[Ian Hall]

[SW1]

https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/a4 ... arthquake/

Two RAF A400M Atlas are transporting UK search and rescue teams to Morocco following the 6.8 magnitude earthquake. The teams include sixty search and rescue specialists, a medical assessment team, four search dogs and rescue equipment.

The first aircraft took off from RAF Brize Norton earlier this evening and the second aircraft will follow shortly. The A400M Atlas has the ability to carry 37-tonnes over 2,000 miles, which enables it to transport the teams to Marrakech without refuelling.

[Poiuytrewq]

A different form of shoot and scoot!

[abc123]

Certainly the RAF appears to have so far treated the A400s a bit like an unwanted
step-child..

If you compare the progress of operationalizing it's full capabilities and general activity to France and Germany, the UK has been quite a bit slower in getting stuff like parachuting and air drop task lines fully operationalised.

The Germans are of course procuring more than twice as many planes as the UK, but they've really been flying them much more.
I believe during the Sudan evacuation they had 15 A400 airborne simultaneously.

They're using them as airtankers all the time and all over the place too. In the middle East, refuelling allies over Syria, going on world tours to US and also Asia as well as training with Eurofighter/Tornados a lot in Germany/Europe.
Meanwhile I've heard UK representatives twice dismiss A400 use as tanker implying the fueling pods were fragile or suffering extreme wear...

Consequences of Air Tanker Consortium?

[Jackstar]

An A400M airdropped over 10 tonnes of food supplies into Gaza on Monday, as part of international efforts to provide life-saving assistance to civilians.

[RunningStrong]

An A400M airdropped over 10 tonnes of food supplies into Gaza on Monday, as part of international efforts to provide life-saving assistance to civilians.

Imagine how more effective that would be if Airlander had done it.

[Little J]

An A400M airdropped over 10 tonnes of food supplies into Gaza on Monday, as part of international efforts to provide life-saving assistance to civilians.

Imagine how more effective that would be if Airlander had done it.

Other than taking 4 times as long to get there?

[new guy]

taking less?
Being more vulnerable?
taking a day to get there?

[Caribbean]

Dropping it actually on the beach?
Not drowning so many people?

[RunningStrong]

taking less?
Being more vulnerable?
taking a day to get there?

Airlander 10 carries 10t, the same as this A400M dropped. But also a significant part of that airdrop was ruined due to failed parachutes, poor landing spot or poor impact.

Let's not pretend this is a timely delivery, it's months late. An Airlander taking a few more hours to get there would have been a minor delay in the bigger picture.

[Tempest414]

Even better still take a Bay class from Cyprus with 2 x Mexeflote and a LCU drop thousands of tons right on the beech and make a real difference

[RunningStrong]

Even better still take a Bay class from Cyprus with 2 x Mexeflote and a LCU drop thousands of tons right on the beech and make a real difference

Agreed. But clearly there's issues with "boots on beaches" that US Military have been trying to address.

[Tempest414]

Even better still take a Bay class from Cyprus with 2 x Mexeflote and a LCU drop thousands of tons right on the beech and make a real difference

Agreed. But clearly there's issues with "boots on beaches" that US Military have been trying to address.

Couldn't think what the issues could be

[sol]

[jimthelad]

Low retard drogues on that chute, so not all that 'low level'. High drag drogues are needed for real low level ops.