I do like the C-235 and C-295. I am not sure aboute the internal cargo space of these two, but I don’t think that they can fit a Hummer but if they can i would be a tight fit. I have seen some pics of C-27 beeing loaded with one so the C-27 clearly has an advantage in the JCA program. IMO the relatively limited width of the C-295 is to it’s dissadvantage.

I think that it would make sense for Airbus to eventually develop a C-295/C-27J sized airlifter with techonlogy like avionics and engines from the A400M. Call it the *A420M.

*[ The A420M would follow the Airbus naming tradition from the civil airliners. A320 beeing smaller than the A300/310. The A410M would offcourse be a jet-powerd version of the A400M. Beeing in direct competition with the C-17. :diablo: But that is another story.]

Airbus would then market the pair like similar to a C-130J / C-27J mix. The A400M engines might be a little to large for the task. But i think that in the long run it would save money to have that combination.

Naturally the A420M would have a more spacious (wider) cargo hold than the C-295. Capabel of holding a bulky item like a Hummer or maybe even a small truck. Max payload should at least be what the CH-53E can lift today. Well probably around 50% of the A400M. One should also consider the Eurocopter hevy lift cargo helicopter that they might emerge. BTW the 35 tons figure mentioned for the A400M would be for the realtively short haul mission only. The engines would be downgraded and optimised for economy rather than power. Lower MMH, higher MTBF, lower fuel burn etc. STOL capability is desireabel but secondary to economy. Maybe a subvariant could be STOL capabel for anyone willing to pay for it.

Back to the Topic at hand. For any European air arm my Hi-Low airlifter mix would be the A400M in combination with the A420M (Designation provisonal).

In the words of Emperor Sidious… sorry Palpatine: “And at last we shall have peace” – Pax Evropeana :diablo:

Iraqi MiG-25 war wreckage

Try Su-25 Frogfoot

/Dan

Firing Brimstone
The UK’s newest anti-tank missile
by Michal Fiszer
Jan. 30, 2006
…
The Brimstone is to enter service with units equipped with Tornado GR4, Eurofighter Typhoon (see “Typhoon Arises”), and Harrier GR.9/9A aircraft, as well as WAH-64D Apache helicopters.
…

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I have read several sources that state that Brimstone was specificaly designed for fast-jet operations. Sometimes even saying “ONLY” for fast-jets. That would imply that it cant not be launched from helicopters. Which contradics the above statement. So which is it? Can Brimstione realy be launched from Helicopters? Does Brimstone have a minimum platform launch speed? Or is the Apache statement just a sales pitch? Can someone clarify this please?

/Dan