Here’s a sample of equipment in UK/French/German/Spanish service that the A400M can carry, but that the C-130J simply can’t:
– Most helos, including Super Puma, NH-90, AH-64, Tiger, and Lynx (~600 helos)
– All IFVs, including Warrior, Puma, Pizarro, Boxer, VBCI, FRES, VBR (~4,000 combat vehicles)
– Most engineering & logistics vehicles, including shelter carriers, bulldozers, cranes etc (thousands in service). These are often overlooked but are crucial for setting up bases and supporting artillery, signals and HQ units
In addition, many loads that “fit” in the C-130J cannot be carried over strategic distances, for example to the Middle East, Central Asia, and most of Africa. These include medium armored vehicles, MRAPs, and most artillery systems (MLRS, Caesar, MEADS, SAMP/T).
Finally, the C-130J flies 20% slower than the A400M. So to replace the equivalent of 20 A400Ms, you need (I’m guessing) 25 C-130Js + 5 C-17s, or 10 C-17s + 10 C-130Js, plus a lot more time on your hands.
Yet all those can fit into a C-17, with a current list price per airframe just north of $200 million. Compare to A-400M with a list price of $195 million, and you see where the bang for the buck is. Malaysia hels EADS’ feet over the fire to honor their $177 million purchase price. Germany should bite the bullet, cancel 30 A400Ms and buy 20 C-17s (for cheaper) and relish the increase in capability.
How many Challenger 2, LeClerc or Leopard 2A6 can an A-400M carry?
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