A400M

The Game Changer

Essential Insights

The A400M combines the ability carry heavy and outsize cargo, over long distances, into tactical locations. Capable of carrying 20 tonnes over twice the distance of medium tactical transport aircraft, A400M is perfectly adapted for modern military operations: in all weather, day and night, for troops, as a refuelling tanker or for large, heavy equipment.

A400M is a new design tailored to meet customers’ needs, and is at the forefront of developments in new technology for a large transport aircraft. A400M is designed to be interoperable with existing transport aircraft. As demonstrated by its operators, A400M is the perfect tactical compliment to strategic airlifters (e.g. C-17 and A330 MRTT) and the ideal replacement for legacy medium airlifters (e.g. C-130, C-160).

More than 10 years of operation across the globe on every continent, in all climates. A400M is the mature, proven Game Changer and the best choice for those who make the world a safer place.

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230,000+
Flight hours in Service
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178
Firm orders from 10 European/NATO/Asian nations
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133
A400M delivered

Key Capabilities

Heavy & Outsize Loads Over Longer Distances ❯
The A400M can transport the heavy and outsize loads which cannot fit into medium tactical airlifters such as heavy armoured vehicles or helicopters.
Real World-Class Tactical Capabilities ❯
The A400M can deliver those heavy and outsize loads directly where they are most urgently needed, onto short and soft unpaved airstrips inaccessible to any jet-engine airlifter.
Front-line, Tactical Tanker❯
The A400M has a built-in tanker capability by design and can be rapidly fitted with underwing pods to simultaneously refuel two fighters, or two helicopters. With a Hose and Drum Unit (HDU) on the ramp, it can refuel large aircraft such as another A400M or a C295 or a tiltrotor such as the V-22 Osprey.

Bigger, Heavier, More

37 tonnes (81,600 lbs) maximum payload
4m x 4m cargo compartment cross-section
340m³ cargo compartment volume

Further, Faster

40,000ft maximum altitude with Mach 0.72 maximum speed
2 x range compared to medium airlifters: 20 tonnes to 3,400 nautical miles

To the Point of Need

Airdrop of multiple loads up to 25 tonnes and 16 tonnes in a single load
116 fully loaded paratroopers from altitudes up to 38,000ft
Less runway impact than medium tactical airlifters with high-flotation landing gear
Short Takeoff/Landing in Hot and High conditions, thanks to 4 x 11,000shp Europrop International TP400 Turboprop Engines

Top-Class Tactical capabilities

Short & Unpaved Runways --> The A400M can deliver a payload of 25 tonnes (55 000 lbs) into a 2500 ft (750 m) grass/sand airstrip (CBR-6), with enough fuel on board for a 500 nautical mile return trip
Survivality & Self-Protection --> The A400M has been specifically designed for low detectability, low vulnerability and high survivability giving the aircraft excellent self-protection: Hard to find, Hard to hit and Hard to kill
Air-to-Air Refueling --> The A400M can become a 2-point tanker in hours with the optional AAR equipment, enabling 2 hours loitering delivering 30 tonnes (67 000 lbs) of fuel at 500 nautical miles range (e.g. simultaneous refuelling up to 2 x Helicopters, or 2 x Combat Jets or 1 x large receiver e.g. A400M)

The A400M of Tomorrow - Future Developments and Capabilities

1. UAV Mothership

Future Battlespace --> A400M is being developed as an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) Mothership, responding to the needs of 21st Century Air Forces for UAVs in the battlespace of the future.
With its 25 tonne aerial delivery payload, A400M is capable of carrying multiple UAVs and deploying them 1000s of miles from an operating base, directly into the battlespace.
A roll-on/roll-off capability, meaning any A400M could be converted for a Mothership mission in hours.

2. Connectivity

Future System of Systems --> With a large cargo compartment and abundant electrical generating power, in the future A400M will be a battlespace connectivity node.
It will be capable of transmitting and relaying beyond line of sight secure communications as part of a future fully connected system of systems.

3. Firefighter

Taking the Fight to the Fire --> With its 340m ³ cargo compartment and high payload capability, A400M has been adapted into a Firefighter.
Capable of deploying 20,000 litres of water and retardent in under 10 seconds, with high levels or maneuverability at slow speed and low altitude - perfect for fighting wildfires - thanks to the fly-by-wire control systems.
A roll-on/roll-off kit, adapting any A400M into a Firefighter without any modifications to the aircraft.

Key Operations

Kabul evacuation ❯
The A400M is a mainstay of emergency evacuation. Thousands of people were rescued from Kabul by A400M emergency high-capacity flights and MEDEVAC missions.
French Air Force Polynesian Deployment ❯
The French Air and Space Force demonstrated this capability of precision landings on runways up to 20 metres wide during a month-long deployment in French Polynesia in 2022.
Humanitarian Airdrop❯
Several air forces contributed with their A400M to the airdrop of tonnes of humanitarian aid over a conflict area in the Middle-East between 2023 and 2024, supporting the civilian population directly at the point of need