Lots of talk about fighters here. So let’s change topics and rant’n-rave about airlifters, esp the Airbus A400M project!
I think that from the military/operational standpoint A400M is a waste of money as it is either an overweight tactical transporter or a bonsaiic strategic transporter.
Europe (and NATO) would be better off following the British theme and lease/buy a fleet of C-17, even better license-build them (e.g. in exchange for USAF using Airbus tankers – just an idea). That would give Europe real payload, strategic reach & speed and interoperability & compatibility with U.S. forces.
By: J Boyle - 20th September 2023 at 18:25
The real question is can the RAF do it’s tactical airlift mission with just the A400s?
Seems like retiring reasonably new, New generation Hercules may be a mistake.
Can the A400 fleet take on those extra missions, or will the have issues absorbing more missions?
In other words, will they wear out ?
Also, is it logical to use A400s for missions that a Hercules can do?
It’s not an easy question to answer…more complex than just comparing hourly costs.
Yes, there are huge savings in training and maintenance by rationalizing the fleet, but at some point that stops.
No doubt the RAF senior leadership told the politicians what they wanted to hear and made a case for it. But how deep did they do the math?
and if course there is the elephant in the room… the fact that having so few tactical airlift leaves little room for increased emergency operations or attrition.
By: Roy.M - 19th January 2023 at 17:07
No unfortunately, they might in the future.They are going to be concentrating on getting the serviceability rates of the aircraft much higher I’m led to believe
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November 1, 2003 at 1:52 pm