The Airbus A400M new generation airlifter has further expanded its capabilities as a tanker by successfully demonstrating air-to-air refuelling contacts with another A400M. In two flights conducted from Seville, Spain the development aircraft performed more than 50 contacts in level flight and turns using the centreline hose and drum unit (HDU).
The A400M is the only tactical tanker on the market with this third refuelling point, in addition to its underwing pods, enabling refuelling of large receivers such as another A400M or C-130.
It has a basic fuel capacity of 63,500 litres, which can be increased with two extra cargo hold tanks carrying 7,200 litres each, and can refuel from the HDU at a rate of 2,000 litres (600 US gallons) per minute. The technique would allow the A400M to carry a 20 tonne payload more than 6,000nm / 11,000km non-stop from Paris, France to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The standard A400M aircraft has full provisions for air-to-air refuelling (AAR) operations already installed and only requires the rapid installation of the optional air-to-air refuelling kit to become a tanker.
Emirates, the Dubai-based airline, has announced a global recruitment campaign to welcome experienced Airbus captains. This initiative is part of the continued expansi...
As the aerospace industry shows strong signs of recovery post-COVID, and while Airbus continues to prepare the future of aviation and implement its roadmap for decarbo...
We knew its first flight was near, but Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) was able to keep the surprise until the end. The first Airbus A320P2F (Passenger to Freighter) took off...
Aviation and aerospace newsletter
Receive all the aeronautical news directly in your inbox
To be operational in 2020Industry-led centralized spare part management to increase fleet availability of German Air ForceCapacities for future needs like German Torna...
Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A acts as receiver from A310 tankerMadrid, 12 July 2018 – Airbus Defence and Space has followed its earlier achievement in demons...
Paris, 19 June 2018,Meeting today’s defence and security challenges requires increasingly connected solutions, as underscored by Airbus’ diversified produc...