Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

Airbus A400M military transport aircraft first flight

中广网 Beijing on January 7 news (reporter Xu Jiahui) According to reports, the French Airbus is considering to give up production just successful test flight of the Airbus A400M military transport aircraft. A400M military transport aircraft is by far the largest European military cooperation projects, from France, Germany, Britain, Spain to participate in seven European countries, the project started 6 years, 7 total investment in the country has more than 200 billion euros, the original plan of the first production 180 frame. Last December, the first aircraft A400M transport aircraft and finally the first successful test flight. However, less than a month, Airbus has suddenly announced, may abandon the project, of which the underlying reason? A400M project what will not dismount? Dialogue in the broad military correspondent Xu Jiahui military commentator Yong-Chun Liang for an in-depth analysis.

bear the cost is too high

Reporters: The project started six years, costing up to 200 million euros, just off the assembly line of the A400M are facing a dilemma dismount?

Yong-Chun Liang: A400M is the world’s most advanced technical performance of large military transport aircraft, the reason may collapse, mainly two reasons:

first, because it is too expensive, A400 is intended to be used to replace active duty in Europe to prepare the American C130 transport aircraft, launched from the project to test the success of this model for the European countries have spent 200 million euros, money enough to buy a 500 C130. The A400 has not yet been mass-produced. Of course A400 C130 advanced than many of its high-tech, but cost is too high. European countries are now affected by the economic crisis, military spending in compression, A400 so expensive, it seemed a bit out of date.

Second, European countries, in fact there are still way out, their original use of military aircraft, including the C130, C17 are bought from the United States, even if the A400 project dismount, they can continue to buy U.S. aircraft, the investment has been spent out of there way to come back.

Europe’s own military aircraft programs will eventually stick to it

Reporters: from France, Germany, Britain and other seven countries to participate, be regarded as Europe’s most ambitious joint military projects, A400M really aborted it? Its ultimate fate will be?

Yong-Chun Liang: If you really let A400M dismount, for France, Germany and other European countries, the political setbacks and even more than economic pressure. Because the EU has been gradually want to get rid of the NATO military, dependence on the U.S.. For the EU is not only one A400 aircraft, which is the core of EU member states to implement several military cooperation, the establishment of an independent defense system of signs. This flag can not be inverted.

from an economic point of view, A400 project involves more than 40,000 European jobs if the project dismount in these countries benefits no one.

from a technical point of view, A400 main R & D process, including design and assembly are done in Spain, Britain, Belgium, Turkey also undertake R & D tasks, the largest number of German orders for aircraft, Now even consider withdrawing from individual countries, nor will a devastating blow to the entire project.

Although the economic impact of many participating countries may cut orders for A400, and may even result in delayed delivery, but in the end Europe will still bite stick to this project, because A400 is the unity of EU Member States co-operation of the new logo.

not one-sided pursuit of high-tech weaponry, military aircraft R & D must take the civil-military integration of the road

Reporter: China’s large aircraft development has just started, A400M twists and turns of history from which you can learn what the Chinese people and inspiration?

Yong-Chun Liang: I think three points is very important revelation. First of all, not one-sided pursuit of high-tech weapons and equipment. U.S. forces have a saying, “We do not need the best weapons, we just good enough”, that weapons must be suitable conditions for tasks. As a military transport aircraft, A400 seemed a bit “technical surplus”, which a lot of composite materials and sophisticated electronic equipment, a lot of sophisticated design, beyond the general needs of war. This design ideas not only raise the cost of the aircraft, but it will also affect the reliability of the battlefield.

second to fully assess the difficulties of large military aircraft development. Airbus already has developed extensive experience in civil aircraft, but military aircraft project still on the twists and turns very smoothly. Now China has re-launched our own big aircraft projects, we may face more difficulties, such as cost, the core technical issues, process issues, reliability issues, etc., can never be done overnight, we have a variety of difficulties adequate mental preparation. But in order to develop China’s own big aircraft, must withstand setbacks, hard to have to insist in the end.

Third, military aircraft research and development must be implemented civil-military integration. Airbus A400 despite ups and downs continue, but also from the project to a successful test flight took only six years, the reason for relatively short periods, because the civilian Airbus project which provides a large number of technical and financial support. Civil-military integration is the only way for the development of modern military technology.

Airbus A400M military transport aircraft

Background: Airbus A400M military transport aircraft is a multi-functional remote, about 15 meters high, about 45 m , the distance between the two wings of 42 meters, is a high-speed turboprop aircraft, cruise speed of Mach 0.68 to 0.72. 20 tons payload, the one-time fuel range of up to 6389 km, can fly directly from Europe to destinations in Central Africa or the Middle East, and its maximum payload of 37 tons. A400M equipped with air refueling equipment, can be converted into two hours a tanker. The aircraft can also be used for maritime surveillance and humanitarian relief.