A400M - ‘Game Changer in Transport and Tactical’
Airbus Defence and Space hosted media representatives from all around the world including Defence Turkey Magazine at its facilities in Seville on the 26th and 27th of October. In the press briefing that took place in Seville, Spain, Mr. Antonio Rodriguez Barberan - Head of Sales, Mr. Fernando Ciria - Head of Marketing ISR, L&M and UA, Mr. Antonio Caramanza - Head of MRTT Program, Mr. Joey Borkenstein - Senior Advisor Air Combat Operations, Mr. Kurt Rossner - Head of A400M program, Mr. Eric Isorce - Head of A400M Flight Tests, Mr. Miquel Angel Morel - Head of Engineering and Stephan Miegel - Head of Transport Services gave presentations, market outlook and production line overviews; Light & Medium Transport and ISR programs, A330 MRTT program, product development and the recent operations of Eurofighter, the latest status of the A400M program and flight tests. After the presentations the A400M final assembly line was visited in Seville.
With its new formation in all fixed wing military market segments, Airbus Defence Space has a large and versatile family of platforms and services covering the A400 M, Eurofighter, A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport, C295/ CN 235, C 295 ISR, CN 235 MPA and Unmanned Aerial Systems. It is seen that the creation of Airbus Defence Space multiples its market scope with 1,800+ aircraft sold to 145 operators in 70 countries. In the medium transport segment, Airbus maintained leadership with its sales: In total 160+ C295 were sold to 23 different operators in 22 countries numbers of 2015. Airbus expects an over 59% cumulative, 10 year market share, in 2015 in the medium transport segment.
The new generation Tanker Transport Aircraft A330 MRTT expanded its presence all over the world during the last decade. 11 RAF (Royal Air Force), 5 RAAF (Royal Australia Air Force), 3 UAE and 6 RSAF (Royal Saudia Air Force) in total 26 MRTTs in service and have been operating in real military operations (Yemen and Middle East) for the first time in 2014-2015. Airbus Military received contracts from Singapore and India for a total 12 A330 MRTT (6+6) in 2013 and from Qatar for 2 A330 MRTT in 2014. Singapore (6), France (1+8+3) and South Korea (4) ordered total 22 MRTTs between 2014-2015 period. Within the scope of program schedule, Airbus Military declared that all the aircrafts are on schedule to be delivered to the aforementioned countries during 2015-2018.
Airbus holds a 28% market share with 174 A400 M sold. It is estimated that 300 plus A400 M aircrafts sales will be performed over the next 30 years and 50 aircrafts in the next five years.
Airbus Military to Ramp-up the A400M Production on 2016
Turkey joined the A400M New Generation Transport Aircraft program, launched as a multi-national program with the participation of countries such as Germany, Belgium, France, UK, Spain and Luxembourg in 1988. The Program Board Decision ,regulating the affairs between the participant countries and project management was signed and entered into force on 22 May 2003 by the representatives of the participant countries. The A400M Agreement was signed between OCCAR on behalf of the participant countries and main contractor AMSL (Airbus Military Consortium) on 27 May 2003 in Bonn. Turkey announced a purchase of 10 A400M transport aircrafts for the Air Forces Command, according to the agreement text on which the participant countries reached a settlement. Malaysia joined the program in 2005 and the total number of aircraft orders reached 174. A400M’s Roll-Out was accomplished in the summer of 2008 and the maiden flight took place in September 2009, a year after the intended date. Several issues emerged during those years. In 2009-2010, the decision maker of six countries met up and revised the contract, determined a new schedule and went to several changes in the technical specifications. These studies revitalized the project and the first A400M aircraft was delivered to French Air Force at the end of September, 2013. The second aircraft was intended to be delivered to Turkey in November, 2013 within the scope of the program, but as a result of the conflict between the two parties on technical specifications and financial issues, the delivery took place in April, 2014 to the Turkish Air Force after a five-month delay.
After two aircraft were delivered to France and Turkey, tail number MSN 08, tail number MSN 09, between July 2014 - March 2015 a total of 9 A400Ms had been delivered to allied countries. After Turkey and France in this process, the German Air Force, Royal Air Force and the Malaysian Air Force received their first aircraft deliveries. In March 2015, after the delivery of tail number MSN 22 to the Malaysian Air Force, the 3rd aircraft, tail number MSN 23, was scheduled to be delivered to the Turkish Air Force in the second quarter of 2015.
However, on May 10, 2015, while the maiden flight, MSN 23 failed and crashed; the engines malfunctioned due to a software error. Turkey was preparing to receive this aircraft and lost out on the delivery of the 3rd aircraft. After this shocking and unexpected tradegy, Turkish Air Force temporarily stopped the flights for aircraft tail numbers MSN 13 and MSN O9, keeping them grounded during the month of May.
With the release of the preliminary accident report, and after production delays in the development and the delivery process, activities began to normalize again in July 2015. Within the period between July-October, a total of 4 more aircrafts were delivered to the United Kingdom (3) and France (1). While Airbus Defence and Space and the Turkish authorities were evaluating the accident reports, and working on the future strategy to be drawn for the next term, the predicament of the 4th aircraft that was planned to be delivered the last quarter of 2015, made the public opinion curious.
In the Trade Media Briefing 2015 meeting, the tail number MSN 28 of Turkey’s 4th aircraft, was revealed to the press for the first time. The Maiden flight of MSN 28 was accomplished in September 2015. The Flight Acceptance test was scheduled for the first day of the media day, which was scheduled to be held on 26th October. The first testing flight that was scheduled to be completed by the Acceptance committee, of the Turkish Air Force 221 filo commander center, however, the first acceptance flight was postponed due to technical difficulties. (After the flight tests the aircrafts, official acceptance for MSN 28 occurred on 25th November, and was delivered to the Air Force Command at the beginning of December).
On the other hand, in the TMB 15’ meeting, the Head of the A400M Program, Mr. Kurt Rossner, made an important statement after the discussion with the Turkish Air Force Command, regarding the replacement aircraft tail number MSN 28. Mr. Rossner said that their negotiations are continuing with OCCAR regarding the replacement aircraft configuration and the capability of the aircraft to be fitted to the Turkish Air Force. Mr. Rossner stated “No clear agreement yet, but two parties are in close to contract. Until the end of the year we expecta conclusive decision regarding the scheudele of delivery.” On the other hand, Rossner indicated that the 5th and 6th aircrafts are scheduled to be delivered to Turkey in 2016, however the schedule cannot become clear as the primary goal is to replace the MSN 23 aircraft before moving forward with the other aircrafts.
HO of A400M Program Mr. Kurt Rossner shared the latest situation of A 400 M aircrafts on the manufacturing lines on Trade Media Briefing 15’. Mr. Rossner said that “7 aircrafts between MSN 29- 37 are in the Final Assembly Line. 11 aircrafts between MSN 38 to MSN 48 are in IFA (Integrated Fuselage Assembly) and 9 aircrafts between MSN 49 to MSN 56 are in the long lead items procurement process”
Information about the aircraft will be delivered by the end of this year, Mr. Kurt Rossner indicated that the MSN 29 and MSN 30 aircrafts will be delivered in November 2015 to the German Air Force. In the same manner, a rapid delivery process will occur with aircrafts MSN 32 MSN 33 MSN 34 and MSN 35, to be delivered until the end of the year.
A400M – New Capabilities - Game Changer in the Transport and Tactical Area
Mr. Kurt Rossner, head of the A400M program provided insight into the A400M aircraft. With its unique in size and the capabilities that will be provided to nations in the near future, he said “very soon this will be the world’s leading transport and tactical aircraft of this size.” With a current total of 5 nations visible in the air, he said “it is a symbol that this aircraft is out of the development stage and it is in use and will be much more in the future; this aircraft isa game changer in the transport and tactical area and in a few months you will see the aircraft in a totally new environment.”
Mr. Rossner provided the following updates on the current main Certified Capabilities, as of October 2015: Transport of Heavy Vehicles i.e. French VBCI of 28 Tonnes, Medevac of 66 Stretchers (Full), Transport of Outsize Helicopters i.e. French EC725 Caracal, Transport of 9 Military Pallets, Transport of 116 Troops/Personnel, Combat Offload of Vehicles i.e. RAF Scimitar and Land Rover. Paratroopers free fall through side doors not simultaneous, Paratroopers free fall through Ramp, Paratroopers Static Line (BT-80 parachute) automatic delivery through Ramp with HUPRA procedure, Aerial Bundles delivery through side doors, Loads Aerial Delivery by gravity Using RAS/ Wedge system, EVS –FLIR Night Vision, System and Fuel Tank Inerting System certifications. New capabilities also include; Full Flight Domain: Max Speed (M0.72) & Alt. of 40 000 ft, Full Envelope of Manoeuvrability: Up to 120º Bank Angle, Unpaved Natural Soil at high CBRand Low Level Flight: 500 ft AGL minimum in VMC conditions.
In addition, Mr. Rossner provided updates regarding the positive momentum of the team’s production capability “through execution of industrial recovery, we ramped up the production capability from about 7-8 aircraft over the last year (2014) and this year 18 aircrafts (2015) next year in an area of 23 and more (2016) – this was clearly only possible due to the improvements in production capabilities and adopting improvements in the final assembly facility in Seville.”
A400M Flight Tests are Successfully Fulfilled
As of 19 October 2015 the aircraft has completed 7903 hours for a total of 2,901 test flights. AAR as receiver behind A330 FSTA & C160 certification tests day &night, DASS–Radar Warning Receiver, Defence AIDS System, Airdrop Gravity Loads, Airdrop Platform 2x4 tons using X-locks & ERGs, Airdrop Paratroops Live jump, Air drop CDS by gravity, AAR as Tanker with 2xF18 certified for day & night, Operations on Unpaved Runway (Grass) were fulfilled in 2014-2015.
Mr. Eric Isorce - Head of A400M Flight Tests provided details regarding test activities, certification and up-coming test campaigns for the A400M. The specific details of certification testing are as follows: Military Systems NVG & EVS flying LLF in free flight in 2014 Night vision goggles operation at low level conditions - down to 500ft (short runs down to 300ft), low level flight over France corridor by night in May 2013, Enhanced Vision System certified end of 2012, NVG& EVS certification tests completed in 2013, in July 2013 in LLF & Nov13 for formation flight, LLF free flight certified in August 2014 down to 150ft AGL in VMC day and 300ft in VMC night, Defensive Aids Sub-System in 2014 & 2015 Infrared Sensors (MWS-PE) - Background recording campaign: Ride Along IR recording Dedicated flights for Afterburner recording (F4 Phantom) Flares ejection recording from Transall Low Level Flight over Germany for Industry, Airfield, Urban, Rural recording Flares ejection recording from own aircraft. EDS certified & qualified in March 2014 More than 1000 flares ejected during these 5 test campaigns Partial Jettison done in June 2013 Full flares Jettison in March 2014. EDS + DAC certified in October 2014 Certification and first Qualification of DASS including DAC, EDS, RWR and MWS done up to Sept. 2015 11 test campaigns done in 2014 & 2015, in Cazaux, Manching, Meppen, Moron, Greding and El Arenosillo, the recent test campaign in October 2015 over El Arenosillo is showing strong improvement for DASS RWR, Next test campaign scheduled for Q2/2016 with full performance.
A400M - Flight Test Achievements Unpaved Runway operations: First campaign was completed in 2012 for unpaved runways tests in Cottbus Germany on grass runway low CBR, the second test campaign in July 2013 in Ablitas, Spain on Soil Gravel surface medium CBR for development, the third test campaign in November 2013 with series of 25 take-off&landing including RTOs and U-Turn for certification. Step 1: for ops on soil gravel surface for SOC1 down to CBR22 to CBR11 depending braking action/aircraft weight. Certification tests completed Nov 2013. CQP approval Oct 2014, and the fourth test campaign completed in Sep-Oct 2015, in Ecury-sur-Cooley (in France), with ops on GRASS Runway with additional tests on natural soil, to identify effect of surface and of low CBR.Step 2: Certify tests on Grass Runaway completed, with average CBR down to CBR9; Step 3: Next tests coming in Q1/2016 for operations with low CBR and on sand surface type with a possible runway candidate in England. Tests are still ongoing for cw43/44 Airdrop Operations – Paratroops, Ramp dispatch stick of 12 paratroopers using S/L & new HUP proc. (EPC bags mod.)Dev/Qualif of paratroopers jumping in auto through PTD (Alternate door, stick 30 to 40 PT), AD Task force ongoing Oct 2015, Objectives to solve crossover issue, AD tests ongoing Q1&Q2/2016, Full capacity 2x58 paratroopers in one stick, High altitude AD operations above FL120, Airdrop Loads by gravity and Extraction parachute towing tests, Certified in 2014: RAS / Wedge loads up to 4000kg, Dispatch of loads up to 4 tons, Dispatch of Bundles from PTD up to 320 kg. Tests done for Development:Loads Drop by gravity CDS containers & Platform, 24 CDS containers (1042 kg ton each) → 25 tons in total, 3 Platforms 4 tons each → 12 tons in total, Loads Drop by Extraction Parachute Towing, 1 platform 2 tons with 22 ft parachute, Extraction parachute towing 2x28 ft, Roadmap for Oct-Nov 2015 Single pass - single drop of: CDS by Gravity with ERG (up to 8 x 1042 kg CDS) from most Aft position → Completed cw4, Platforms by Gravity with ERG (1 or 2x4T) from most Aft position → 1x1147kg & 1x3971kg done. It remains 2x1147kg ATADP expected cw44, Tests of Extraction (1x4.6T platform from anywhere in CH) expected to be resumed in November and on the roadmap for Q1&Q2/2016. Full capacity 24x1042 kg CDS / 25 tons and platforms up to 16 tons by extraction parachute, Air to Air Refuelling as Receiver Certification & qualification tests completed in February 2015 for: Day & night conditions, AAR behind C160 Transall, AAR behind A330 Voyager,
Development and certification Flight Test programs have been success fully completed: 32 take-offs and landings achieved to assess A/C performance, general handling and runway compatibility, Significant weight range tested for tactical ops (90T to 115T), Tests performed on low bearing capability surface (down to CBR6), Very good A/C handling thanks to Landing Gear and Flight Control Law design, Specific maneuvers success fully completed (taxi, U-turn, back-up).
Turkish A 400M’s Playing a Major Role in Operational Fields
A total of 16 A 400Ms were delivered to five allied countries by Airbus Military as of 2014 and all aircrafts have played a major role the relief and transport operations all over the world in the last two years.
Turkish A 400M Aircrafts were executed to the Dakar and Africa missions as well as the Somali Mission of Turkish President between 2014-2015. In the Dakar Mission, MSN 9 took off with the maximum take off weight of 141 tons on a direct flight from Wunstorf to Dakar in one day. A water treatment plant for the advisory group of the German Armed Forces and additional material was transported on the mission. On the way back, 9 tons of material from UN Mission for Ebola Response was brought back to Europe. 1st real logistic operations and the longest flight was put on the record in the Dakar Mission. In the following Africa mission that was executed by the Turkish A400M, the trip was to validate different functionalities and performance of the Aircraft in the first time. The aircraft took-off with MTOW (maximum take-off weight) 141t and 11 officers ( 4 pilots, 3 loadmasters, 4 technical engineers). The Aircraft flew about 23.000 Kilometers and touched ground in five countries. During a stop in Abu Dhabi, a temperature of 52C and 60 % humidity was reached inside the aircraft.
The Aircrafts also accomplished carrying S-70 Black Haws from Ankara to Kabul, Afghanistan in a non-stop flight and brought an inoperative H/C upon return. Before the A 400M, these kind of operations and flights were performed with USAF support. Within the same period the 1st transatlantic mission was completed with the direct flight from Istanbul to US.
A total of 174 cumulative flights and approximately 2800 cumulated flight hours were performed by the tail number MSN 9 and MSN 13 from January to September of 2015. In the September Turkish A 400M Aircrafts flight hours were declined due to retrofit activities (MSN 9) and landing gear malfunction (MSN 13 was ground for the landing gear failure during the three weeks in September). MSN 9 was on the ground as of the September and currently in Getafe for retrofit activities. Upgrade version of MSN 9 are expected to be delivered the TuRAF in January 2016. After the completion of the retrofit activities of MSN 9, in 2016 MSN 13 also will pass through retrofit activities.
Airbus A 330 Aircrafts are being Converted to Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT)
The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is an aerial refueling tanker aircraft based on the commercial Airbus A330. The A330 aircrafts from Toulouse are converted to MRTT at the Getafe facility with the conversion process of a single aircraft taking 10 to 11 months. As of 2015, 26 A330 MRTT has been operating in full service: 5 MRTT at RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force), 3 MRTT at UAE Air Forces (United Arab Emirates, 6 MRTT in Royal Saudi Air Force (Saudi Arabia) and 11 MRTT and 1 civil 3PR/TC in the Royal Air Force (United Kingdom). The A330 MRTT has been ordered by Singapore Air Force (6), French Air Force (1+8+3) and South Korea (4) as of the year of 2014.
A330 MRTT New Green Aircraft
A330 MRTT enhanced version covers new green aircraft with new structural, aerodynamics and avionics pack and upgrade of military modifications (Mission system upgrade, MPS upgrade, BOOM Upgrade 3, solutions for implementing IFF M5/ ADS- B, improvements in industrialization process). Prototype will start conversion in October 2015 and flight tests in second half of July 2016. Deliveries will commence in late 2017. All new A330 MRTT customers will receive aircrafts with this new configuration. New configurations optimizing standardizations while providing flexibility for customer requirement customizations.
Mr. Antonia Caramanza - Head of MRTT, presented the updates regarding MRTT, their flight tests activities and up-coming plan in TMB 15’. “We have flown 56k flight hours 14k flights, averaging 200 flight hours per month, 25k flight hours per year. “ According to plans, by summer 2016 first French prototype conversion will commence, then third will be the Korean prototype, the delivery schedule of all three customers (Singapore, France and South Korea) will be completed in 2019.
On the subject of maturity and reliability growth of their products, he said “we are conscious that the world and technology moves on, we have launched internal programs directed toward product policy and upgrades for the future, upcoming tankers and previous tankers – wide-band sub communications, increase of weight capabilities, increasing air to air refueling capabilities, IFF Mode 5, all these capabilities that the fleets of the futures will need. The first one is IFF Mode 5 and we are currently in negotiations with Australia.”
Mr. Fernando Alonso: “ Airbus have to rapidly response the requirements of the Clients”
CEO of Airbus Military, Mr. Fernando Alonso, in the gala speech, provided insight about the company’s restructure as a program driven organization and initiatives guided in the spirit of agility and rapid development.
“We have an excellent product line with a lot of challenges in front of us and I think I really want to focus the organization now on program execution. It’s not good having programs if you don’t know how to execute them correctly. ” He continued, sharing details about the company wide reorganization. “We are a program driven organization. Programs will define what types of products customers need, time scales, price, quantity and centers of competence, engineering, services and production. We have taken the opportunity of the reorganization to unite the teams, to be one single transnational team, working together based on their competence irrespective of nationality. I think this will be a source of motivation, a way of liberating energy and skills, to get people thinking of how to do things differently. We are planning to roll this out in the beginning of January.”
"Focus on Agility and Rapid Development"
Another focus that he discussed was development cycles and the differences he has observed between his tenure with Airbus Commercial, compared to his recent time with Airbus Military since joining in March, “I’m coming from a world where over the last years we have been significantly involved in the time it takes to design, build, manufacture, test and deliver a new product. In Airbus Commercial over the last years, we have made a significant improvement in the reduction of the cycles, for example the A380 was delivered after a 20 month flight test period and the A350 was delivered after a 14 month flight test period. Here in this organization, I’m a bit surprised about the long-leap times it takes to design and build modifications for an existing aircraft. I think we have to do something about that. If we are not able to develop products in a sufficientlyshort time we will not be able to fulfill the needs of our customers. Customers today want products today, if they want a product that we don’t have today and we tell them they have to wait 4 years, maybe 4 years from now they won’t need that product anymore. ”Looking forward in the up-coming months he said “I will be focusing on product program execution, agility, and how can we build products quicker in a more simple way, a more modular way, so that if at any point in time, the market, nations, the air forces of the world, need a product that we don’t have, we are capable of answering to that requirement in a relatively short time.”
“Overall we have improved significantly in the capabilities of the aircrafts; refueling, paratrooper dropping and cargo dispensing. The accident basically put a hold on our development activities for about 2 months, so that is why those activities that were initially planned for the summer are being done now, and we believe that before the end of the year we will have done all of the testing required to certify these capabilities, so it will just be a question of paper work, so the aircrafts that we will be delivering will have the capabilities available and only missing the stamp of the authorities, but the data will be available from the flight tests.”
"Nations Simultaneously Entering into Service"
“Another challenge with the A400M is supporting a number of nations simultaneously entering into service with a brand new aircraft. Right now as we speak we have the UK, France, Germany, Turkey and Malaysia. 5 nations introducing aircrafts at the same time.In previous programs, I typically had one home nation which would be developing the aircraft, getting used to the aircraft, developing its capabilities and validating operational scenarios, then export companies would participate. Here we are having to support 5 separate nations independently each ones with different ways of operating and maintaining the aircraft and it’s a tremendous challenge for our teams and I really want to pay tribute to them also. We have teams in the different nations that are doing a terrific job supporting the nations flying. ’’Regarding the sales horizon he indicated that “Sales – we are very active with collaborating with a number of nations. I am confident that within the next 24 months we will start getting contracts with other nations, the interest that they are showing is very important.”
Market is Responding to MRTT
MRTT – “It’s the most capable, the only one available today and the market is responding to that. It’s a combat proven aircraft, in service to full satisfaction, fulfilling the expectations of the nations. We have a fantastic solid, rugged, well known platform, the A330, it’s a big aircraft, lots of volume lots of space, we will be looking at ways that we can use the space, the big wings of the airplane, how can we add other sensors, part of our strategic roadmap.”
"Exploring the Combat Theater of the Future"
“We have launched a global study to explore what we think the combat theater of the future going to be? Is it going to be about airplanes? Manned unmanned, stealth not stealth, combination of both, the cloud, what would be the role of unmanned vehicles, drones, what is the role of satellites, all of these activities are within one division of Airbus, Defence and Space. It is the right moment in time to have a complete thought, a clear picture of the future, how do we see the future of air combat, once we have a clear picture of that then we can translate that into a product. Clearly the strategic thought will tell us what type of products we need, as well with the MRTT, what other things can we hang on those incredible wings? What can we put on the roof, the sides, how can we develop the MRTT, again within the spirit of agility and rapid development. Our policy for both manned and unmanned will be driven by the strategy of how we see the future of combat and military and how it translates into a product.”
