In a series of tests at RAF Boscombe Down in the UK, Airbus Military has successfully demonstrated the ability of the A400M new generation airlifter to deploy vehicles and troops rapidly to seize an enemy airfield.

The photo shows a Scimitar armoured reconnaissance vehicle, and weapons-mounted support vehicle with trailer exiting an A400M with its engines running to enable it to depart immediately.

The technique is typically used to enable Special Forces to secure a bridgehead airfield so that large quantities of reinforcements and supplies can subsequently be delivered in safety.

Up to 60 troops could be deployed simultaneously with the vehicles.

The A400M is the most versatile airlifter currently available responding to the most varied needs of world Air Forces and other organisations in the 21st century. It can perform three very different types of duties: it is able to perform both tactical missions directly to the point of need and long range strategic/logistic ones. And it can also serve as an air-to-air refueling “tanker”.

Powered by four unique counter-rotating Europrop International (EPI) TP400 turboprop powerplants, the A400M offers a wide flight envelope in terms of both speed and altitude. It is the ideal airlifter to fulfill the most varied requirements of any nation around the globe in terms of military, humanitarian and any other “civic” mission for the benefit of society. 

The A400M was launched in 2003 to respond to the combined needs of seven European Nations regrouped within OCCAR (Belgium, France, Germany, Luxemburg, Spain, Turkey and the UK), with Malaysia joining in 2005. This is one of the major reasons for its extreme versatility. Its maiden flight took place on 11th December 2009.