New Airbus A400M in the sky of Astana at KADEX 2014 Defense Exhibition in Kazakhstan 2305141.

Airbus Defence and Space has a strong relationship based on the Kazakhstan Air Force (KAF) experience in operating the Casa C295. According Airbus Defence and Space, the latest generation of military transport aircraft A400M would be a logical complement to the C295, greatly expanding the strategic and heavy tactical capability of the KAF.

Here at KADEX 2014, the International Exhibition of weapons systems and Military equipment in Astana (Kazakhstan), Airbus Defence and Space experts are explaining the capabilities of the aircraft and conducting demonstration flights, and they have a constructive dialogue with the Kazakh authorities.

The A400M is the most versatile airlifter currently available, and responds to the highly varied needs of world Air Forces and other organizations in the 21st Century. It can perform three very different types of duties: tactical and strategic missions directly to the site of action, as well as being able to serve as a “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 height. It is the ideal airlifter to fulfil the diverse requirements of nations around the globe in terms of military, humanitarian and any other “civic” missions for the benefit of society.

The A400M can perform missions which previously required two - or more - different types of aircraft, and which even then provided an imperfect solution. Its fuselage external width of 5.64 metres / 18 ft 6 in is equal to that of the A330/A340 wide-body. The inside usable width of four metres / 13ft, height of four metres / 13ft, and usable length of nearly 18m / 59ft, allows it to carry numerous items of outsize cargo including, for example, an NH90 or a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, or two Stryker infantry carrier vehicles (ICV) of 17 tonnes each for military purposes. It can also carry a 25 tonne semi-articulated truck with a 6m / 20ft container, or a rescue boat, or large lifting devices, such as excavators or mobile cranes needed to assist in disaster relief.

Thanks to its new technologies, the A400M has the ability to fly distances up to 4,700 nm / 8,700 km, at a cruising altitude up to 37,000 ft, and at a speed of up to Mach 0.72 - very similar to that of a jet powered airlifter. This gives it the potential for strategic/logistic missions.

The A400M excels in the paratrooping role, being able to drop from both high and low altitudes, (as high as 40,000 ft for special forces’ operations, and as low as 15ft for low level load deliveries). It can carry 116 fully equipped paratroops, who can jump two at a time from the ramp or through the paratroop side doors. This simultaneous jumping capability results from the aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft and allows the teams to arrive on the ground closer together and hence to be operational faster.

Finally, the A400M has been specifically designed for low detectability, low vulnerability and high survivability, giving it excellent self-protection. With clean and minimised infra-red signature engines, highly responsive fly-by-wire flight controls, four independent control computers, damage tolerant controls, and comprehensive optional defensive aids and cockpit armouring , the A400M is hard to find, hard to hit and hard to kill.