A400m

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
The crash of the A400M in Spain resulted in a 4% drop in Airbus shares. The two black boxes have been recovered so depending on the results this will either be an error causing an unfortunate tragedy or a major set back for the A400M program. As this is the only semi strategic lifter in Western production, hopefully there is a straight forward solution to get the plane flying again.
 

FormerDirtDart

Well-Known Member
The crash of the A400M in Spain resulted in a 4% drop in Airbus shares. The two black boxes have been recovered so depending on the results this will either be an error causing an unfortunate tragedy or a major set back for the A400M program. As this is the only semi strategic lifter in Western production, hopefully there is a straight forward solution to get the plane flying again.
Spain's National Institute for Aerospace Technique has temporarily withdrawn its permission for test flights of Airbus A400M planes still in production until an investigation determines the cause of the crash.
Spain withdraws permit for Airbus A400M test flights
 
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John Fedup

The Bunker Group
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  • #3
The A400M continues to drag down Airbus and Airbus is seeking relief from penalties. Interesting remark in the link saying Enders wishes Airbus had canned the A400M in 2010 rather than taking €3.5 billion to keep the program going. Had this decision been made, the C-17 would likely have seen some European sales along with more C-130Js.

Airbus seeks new talks with European nations over A400M costs | Reuters
 
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t68

Well-Known Member
The A400M continues to drag down Airbus and Airbus is seeking relief from penalties. Interesting remark in the link saying Enders wishes Airbus had canned the A400M in 2010 rather than taking €3.5 billion to keep the program going. Had this decision been made, the C-17 would likely have seen some European sales along with more C-130Js.

Airbus seeks new talks with European nations over A400M costs | Reuters
"I am not sure that the states will agree to put their hands in their pockets once again," said Chloe Lemarie, director of aerospace and defense research at Mainfirst Bank in Paris.
My take of the article is they are not asking for more money, it's to renegotiate the exsess penalties hurting their bottom line. I'm all for penalty clauses in contracts as its there to keep them honest but it's no good sending them to the wall as well.
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
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  • #5
Correct, it's about penalty relief now whereas back in 2010 it was about a bailout. They took the money in 2010 along with the penalty obligations. Now they want relief because of their continued screw ups. What's the point of having penalties if you don't enforce them? Canada let Sikorsky off on their penalty obligations on the H-92 (CH-148 Cyclone) several years ago and here we are years later with only 6 out of 28 delivered which don't even meet specs. Both these companies made BS promises so they deserve to be put up against the wall IMO!
 

t68

Well-Known Member
Correct, it's about penalty relief now whereas back in 2010 it was about a bailout. They took the money in 2010 along with the penalty obligations. Now they want relief because of their continued screw ups. What's the point of having penalties if you don't enforce them? Canada let Sikorsky off on their penalty obligations on the H-92 (CH-148 Cyclone) several years ago and here we are years later with only 6 out of 28 delivered which don't even meet specs. Both these companies made BS promises so they deserve to be put up against the wall IMO!
Yep I understand where you we coming from, but it could work in the consortiums nations favour waive the penalties but the downside for Airbus is a reduced profit margin on future builds for effected nations, still hurts them:flame
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
Airbus to enter co-operation discussions with Indonesia over A400M contract | IHS Jane's 360

Further effort frm Airbus to reach deal for A-400 in Indonesia..
As I put in Indonesian AF thread before..this deal will depend on how much benefit Indonesian Aerospace Industry will get from Airbus.
Enhancing Indonesian Industry within Airbus global manufacturing chain seems the main issue in here, despite what the AF ones.

Rumours circulate that the deal seems going to be the Aircraft will be procured through one of state owned enterprises (SOE) that then contracted with the AF to operated. The procurement off set then will be calculated with the amount of Aircraft parts that Airbus will be ordered frm Indonesian Industry.

This can turn out like C-295 deal, where the AF actually prefered C-27J but for the benefit of local aero industry..the C-295 procured.
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
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  • #14
This can turn out like C-295 deal, where the AF actually prefered C-27J but for the benefit of local aero industry..the C-295 procured.
The same was true in Canada, the RCAF wanted the C-27J for the FWSAR project but the C-295 won on local content (PWC engines being the biggest component). The award is being contested by Leonardo, not sure if they have much hope of success though.
 

40 deg south

Well-Known Member
Despite (justifiable) scepticism about the A400, the user nations seem to be steadily pressing on with introduction to service.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/ar...ification-work-continues-for-french-army.html

https://twitter.com/RAFBrizeNorton/status/855020699475488768

(Scroll down a bit for Puma minus rotors being loaded)
The RAF has now received 14 of their planned 22 aircraft, which presumably makes them the largest current user.

https://twitter.com/Seb_Lanc99

Twitter feed of an RAF instructor. Somewhere way back in his timeline is some footage of impressive ground maneuvering - including a three-point turn on the runway from memory.
 

kato

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
The RAF has now received 14 of their planned 22 aircraft, which presumably makes them the largest current user.
  • UK : 15th on March 17th (68% of order delivered)
  • France: 11th on January 3rd (22% of order delivered)
  • Germany: 8th on January 31st (15% of order delivered)
  • Turkey: 4th on April 7th (40% of order delivered)
  • Malaysia: 4th on March 12th (order completely delivered)
  • Spain: 1st on December 1st (4% of order delivered)
  • Belgium: none delivered yet (planned for 2019)
  • Luxembourg: none delivered yet (planned for 2019)
There should be around 18 on the assembly lines right now - 8 for Germany, 3 for the UK, 2 for France, 2 for Turkey and 1 for Spain.
 

40 deg south

Well-Known Member
  • UK : 15th on March 17th (68% of order delivered)
  • France: 11th on January 3rd (22% of order delivered)
  • Germany: 8th on January 31st (15% of order delivered)
  • Turkey: 4th on April 7th (40% of order delivered)
  • Malaysia: 4th on March 12th (order completely delivered)
  • Spain: 1st on December 1st (4% of order delivered)
  • Belgium: none delivered yet (planned for 2019)
  • Luxembourg: none delivered yet (planned for 2019)
There should be around 18 on the assembly lines right now - 8 for Germany, 3 for the UK, 2 for France, 2 for Turkey and 1 for Spain.
A very overdue thank you for that detailed list, Kato.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/a...-to-resolve-a400m-gearbox-and-contrac-438229/

Airbus claims to be making good progress on a permanent solution to the gearbox problem, as well as the helicopter refueling issue.
 
How long are these built to last and as the UK has so many of the first production slots is it possible we may see replacements ordered if this is still in prduction in 20+ years?
Have we left any order slots for later so we can have some newer airframes to try and cycle them so the oldest don't get worn out?
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
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  • #19
Just posted this on the NZ airforce thread. Airbus and the A400 partner countries have a pending agreement to limit further penalties against Airbus.
 
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