A400m New strategic and tactical airlifter for the RAF

A400m New strategic and tactical airlifter for the RAF

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Discussion

Andy ap

Original Poster:

1,147 posts

171 months

Thursday 24th October 2013
quotequote all
Anyone got any views on the new aircraft to replace the venerable yet ageing Hercules, the Airbus A400m 'Grizzly'

Incredible looking machine but it will be sad to see the Herc retire like the Seaking. I suppose the Chinook wont be far behind either with the Osprey about. Anyway the A400M looks like a serious bit of kit able to carry a large payload and surprisingly far and fast too. Take a look at the engines in particular.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21650779



Edit: not just for the RAF i may add.

Edited by Andy ap on Thursday 24th October 12:38

IanUAE

2,927 posts

163 months

Thursday 24th October 2013
quotequote all
Saw one of these parked on the ramp at Muscat Airport, lovely looking machine.

911newbie

598 posts

259 months

Thursday 24th October 2013
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Oh, are we getting Ospreys ?

Didn't know that.

shouldbworking

4,769 posts

211 months

Thursday 24th October 2013
quotequote all
The Hercules J are still going to be around until at least 2022. The chinooks are supposed to be even longer than that - 2040 I think?

ecsrobin

17,018 posts

164 months

Thursday 24th October 2013
quotequote all
I doubt the RAF will ever get ospreys and certainly not to replace the chinook fleet. An osprey carries half the troops and can lift alot less than a chinook can.

Was quite impressed when it taxied pass at RIAT a good sized aircraft.

A400 by -robinecs-

Edited by ecsrobin on Thursday 24th October 14:38

Fluid

1,723 posts

184 months

Thursday 24th October 2013
quotequote all
It's called the Atlas, not the Grizzly. thumbup

Ginetta G15 Girl

3,220 posts

183 months

Thursday 24th October 2013
quotequote all
Too much £££ for far too few airframes and too little capability, too late.

Not only that, but the lack of airframes vs task means that, just like C-130J, they will be worn out before their time.

We'd be better off leasing another couple of C17s (and using them properly) and buying a shed load more Hercs.

KieronGSi

1,108 posts

203 months

Thursday 24th October 2013
quotequote all
Ginetta G15 Girl said:
Too much £££ for far too few airframes and too little capability, too late.

Not only that, but the lack of airframes vs task means that, just like C-130J, they will be worn out before their time.

We'd be better off leasing another couple of C17s (and using them properly) and buying a shed load more Hercs.
Why lease and not buy?

ecsrobin

17,018 posts

164 months

Thursday 24th October 2013
quotequote all
Leasing the aircraft means that any time lost due to unserviceability we'd get compensated among other reasons. I doubt we will get full capability from the A400M which means we could lose capability the day the hercs finally go.

KieronGSi

1,108 posts

203 months

Thursday 24th October 2013
quotequote all
ecsrobin said:
Leasing the aircraft means that any time lost due to unserviceability we'd get compensated among other reasons. I doubt we will get full capability from the A400M which means we could lose capability the day the hercs finally go.
I could understand leasing if we didn't already own 8. The aircraft is very well supported under the GISP contract already. Serviceability on new C-17s is also very high.

DMN

2,983 posts

138 months

Thursday 24th October 2013
quotequote all
Ginetta G15 Girl said:
We'd be better off leasing another couple of C17s (and using them properly) and buying a shed load more Hercs.
The C17's are a strategic assest. The A400M's are a tactical asset. With the upscaling of military kit, more and more stuff won't fit inside a Herc.

tuffer

8,849 posts

266 months

Thursday 24th October 2013
quotequote all
Andy ap said:
First picture I have seen of all three side by side, did not realise the A400M was that big, was expecting it to be closer to the C130 than the C17. Awesome looking.

civicduty

1,857 posts

202 months

Thursday 24th October 2013
quotequote all
ecsrobin said:
Leasing the aircraft means that any time lost due to unserviceability we'd get compensated among other reasons. I doubt we will get full capability from the A400M which means we could lose capability the day the hercs finally go.
Weren't the early C17's leased but we had to buy them because we used them so much?

Previous

1,434 posts

153 months

Thursday 24th October 2013
quotequote all
I like them. One or two minor issues though, like they can't fly in bad weather incase of llightning strike, unless covered in speed tape... And damage can't be repaired easily on the ground.

Both issues due to composite wings.

Doesn't matter though, I can't imagine how either of the above would affect a military aircraft....





FunkyNige

8,859 posts

274 months

Thursday 24th October 2013
quotequote all
Ginetta G15 Girl said:
the lack of airframes vs task
Sorry, what does this phrase mean?

KieronGSi

1,108 posts

203 months

Thursday 24th October 2013
quotequote all
civicduty said:
Weren't the early C17's leased but we had to buy them because we used them so much?
The first four were leased, didnt have to buy them, chose too.

fadeaway

1,463 posts

225 months

Thursday 24th October 2013
quotequote all
FunkyNige said:
Ginetta G15 Girl said:
the lack of airframes vs task
Sorry, what does this phrase mean?
too few planes for too many jobs wink

FunkyNige

8,859 posts

274 months

Thursday 24th October 2013
quotequote all
fadeaway said:
FunkyNige said:
Ginetta G15 Girl said:
the lack of airframes vs task
Sorry, what does this phrase mean?
too few planes for too many jobs wink
Ta smile

KieronGSi

1,108 posts

203 months

Thursday 24th October 2013
quotequote all
FunkyNige said:
Sorry, what does this phrase mean?
Too many tasks for the relatively few aircraft we have.

0a

23,879 posts

193 months

Thursday 24th October 2013
quotequote all
I like the e-type vs Clio analogy!