Looks like a C130 knock off. $25,000,000,000 to 'design and develop' a knock off?
No wonder the EU is in such dire financial condition.
Posted on 07/05/2012 11:42:12 AM PDT by Olog-hai
Airbus has grounded Europe's flagship army plane at next week's high-profile Farnborough Airshow as France's Senate voiced concern on Thursday over engine problems and spares shortages on the A400M military transport aircraft.
Confirming an exclusive Reuters story, Airbus said it had dropped the A400M's wheeling and steeply slanted flying display for the second year in a row after engine problems.
A Senate panel said after studying delays and overruns in Europe's largest arms project that problems with the aircraft's huge turboprop engines should be kept under close surveillance, but it did not expect further slippage in deliveries.
The panel also pinpointed risks due to a lack of funding for spare parts to support the troop and cargo carrier once it enters service next year, following four years of delays.
"We must not have a situation where budget restrictions on spares throw the whole program into doubt," said Jean-Louis Carriere, president of the Senate's foreign affairs commission, outlining a report on Europe's effort to build its own airlift capacity to support military and humanitarian operations.
The A400M cost €20 billion ($25 billion) to develop and is designed to add airlift capacity for seven European NATO nations: Britain, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain and Turkey.
It was designed to end Europe's reliance on the U.S.-built Lockheed C-130 workhorse and the bigger Boeing C-17, which are the backbone on most NATO armed forces' transport fleets.
The European plane has suffered a series of teething problems with its engines, the largest turboprops ever built in the West, leading to billions of euros in cost overruns. …
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
Added airlift capability? What are they going to airlift? 60-year-old retirees?
What in the world do they need troop transport planes for?
Amazing $25 billion development budget for a prop driven transport aircraft.
France's supply of white flags.
Looks like a C130 knock off. $25,000,000,000 to 'design and develop' a knock off?
No wonder the EU is in such dire financial condition.
There's a discount for bulk surrenders.
So basically, the Europeans can’t build a C-130 with a T-tail.
Or a C-141 with turboprops.
It actually looks like a “Russianized” version of our C-17 with no winglets.
I sure wouldn’t want to fly in it.
They have problems building the A380.
Looks like 25 billion would buy alot of C-130’s.
That’s more what the A400M is supposed to be than a C-130 ripoff. It’s bigger, faster, and longer-ranged. The C-130 is more of a tactical transport, the A400M is probably closer in theory to a C-17 Globemaster III than a C-130. (Note: “in theory.”)
}:-)4
From John Cleese:
The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from “Run” to “Hide.” The only two higher levels in France are “Collaborate” and “Surrender.” The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France ‘s white flag factory, effectively paralysing the country’s military capability.
Yep. That's what happens when politicians try to protect jobs. They could've bought the tried-and-true American version, but, instead, spent billions to keep Europeans employed.
I wonder how many Europeans didn't get hired in other industries because of the taxes spent for this white elephant. The same things happen over here, too, of course.
What are you saying that the U.S. is no longer the greatest job creating machine ever? It used to be but after your free trade with China now the job creation in the U.S. is a joke. Yes but you still push for more trade with China.
The U.S. is, indeed, no longer the "greatest job creating machine ever." That much is true. It has nothing to do, though, with Americans buying Chinese goods.
That America no longer creates jobs is a result of high taxes, budget deficits, and Fed-created inflation. I suppose you will tell me now why those are all good policies and we should tax American consumers through tariffs to make them work as they should.
Please, sir, may I have another.
I eagerly await your response.
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