Slowly but surely its taking shape.

See flightglobal for full story.

Slowly is certainly the key word here. The A400M programme must be an embarrassing programme for EADS! Its now 25 years since the initial project started! It seems like an awful waste of time and money to me.

At the end of the day they should have listened to the famous saying. "The only replacement for a Hercules is another Hercules!"

Once the A400M is actually in service what benefits will it have over a C-130J? Range? Payload? Cost?

Refuting a German media report of a possible further delay to the A400M's planned first flight in July, EADS chief executive Louis Gallois said on 10 January: "We will have the first flight during summer 2008." But he cautioned: "We have to stabilise the programme for good, especially with our engine manufacturing partners."

 

Does anyone remember the Short SC.5/10 Belfast C. Mk 1 ?

I think it might be considered the A400M of the Sixties .....

Your kind opinion, Sirs ?