Thread by @Gabriel64869839

Regarding A400M ability to airdrop boats, which has come to be totemic in ability to support "special forces" (i'm probably more concerned about the Submarine Parachute Assistance Group...), process to procure an initial 25 Large Boat Air Drop platforms began last year.

Main contender is exact same system already used on C-130s, the MCADS by IrvinGQ, consisting of 2 platforms (PURIBAD and PRIBAD), handling RHIBs from 6.5 to 12 meters long. In the december 2022 tender, ground assessment in Brize Norton is/was planned for september 2023.

The MOD is also looking for an initial 40 Medium Weight Air Drop platforms for the A400M, to be used for launching vehicles, artillery pieces and other equipment up to 12 tons.

Last year, focus for A400 was on clearing other capabilities for use, passing them from 206 Sqn (the trials unit) to frontline. This included rough strips (first frontline crews cleared in April at Geronimo LZ in Lousiana); first airdrop of supplies outside of UK (Estonia, march)

The summer saw work on Air Landed Aircraft Refuelling System (ALARS) and september saw the first big drops with the Low Level Parachute, working towards the necessary certifications.

August 2022 also saw the first operational use of air to air refueling to get A400M directly from Ascension to the Falklands. The UK also integrated early a SAR rafts and smoke floats launcher that is employed by the A400 based in the Falklands in its maritime patrol sorties.

The A400M has covered the Falklands cargo aircraft committment since 2018, first arriving there in march. It was one of the first tasks it took up from C-130. The priority in terms of airdrop capability was clearing the full drop sequence of 24 x 1-ton Container Delivery System.

One capability UK does not at the moment plan to exploit is air to air refueling. Any A400M, fitted with necessary kit, can become tanker (unlike KC-130 that is its own variant with permanent mods). A400 tanker kit even comes with centreline drogue in addition to 2 under wings.

Centreline drogue enables A400 to refuel large aircraft. There have been well documented difficulties with helicopters due to air flows, but progress has been made with use of longer drogues. In general, ability to refuel jets is mature. Helicopters, should eventually also mature

Regarding ability to operate from short, rough airstrips, beaches etc, RAF was responsible for most/all trials and knows. Depending exactly on the terrain and loads, parameters can vary a lot, but IN GENERAL, the A400 will mostly be able to go where a C-130 goes, carrying more.

Ultimately, C-130 has a growing problem that will never be solved: its fuselage is really quite small. The ability of A400M to carry more is driven more by VOLUME than by WEIGHT. With every single vehicle in use with army growing larger over the years, the C-130 is boxed out.

The A400M will carry anything a C-130 carries, and then some, and the greater volume/weight margin allows the embarkation of APACHE, PUMA, ARES (AJAX?), MASTIFF, wheeled tactical tanker etcetera. It really does "intrude" into strategic cargo territory.

Initially, A400M was delivered with little self-defense equipment fitted, and it took time to clear DASS and Large Aircraft IR Countermeasure. But "eagle eyed" observers should have noticed, for example in pictures from Sudan most recently, that LAIRCM fit is now commonly seen.

Is everything perfect and fully mature? No. In terms of availability, out of 22 aircraft now delivered, some 3 routinely in depth maintenance & 3-4 more are cycling through retrofits to replace parts that gave issues/pass 7-years propeller inspections. This will last out to 2025.