Free Republic

The military transport market will see production of almost 900 new aircraft over the next decade, but the raw numbers obscure major changes in the landscape. Production of the Boeing C-17 could end, leaving the strategic transport market to the Airbus Military A400M, while the Lockheed Martin C-130J will face a challenge for the tactical sector from Embraer’s new KC-390. In the absence of Congressional funding for more U.S. Air Force aircraft, Boeing has restructured C-17 production to be economic at a lower rate but cannot hope to keep the line going indefinitely on export orders. Forecast International projects the...

Rough translation from Der Spiegel Hardcopy: PA400 military transport will not be able to fly as far as previously planned. The transporter, due to first fly in 2008 will be heavier than expected. The maximum take-off weight will be increased by 6.5 tons to 136.5 tons. The empty weight will also be higher than the previously planned 63.5 tons. This means the maximum range while empty is only 8300 km vs previously planned 9520 km.