Airbus A400M

20

reply

Well as the years have passed my opinion about this aeroplane has not altered. Behind schedule in every aspect it fails to achieve it's original design concepts. The latest of these being that the French are unable to in flight refuel their helicopters which means they have had to make an urgent purchase of to quote " very old and not produced efficiently anymore" C130's. Just like the Americans, the British, the Australians, the Saudis and countless others.

reply

the c130's are very old and not produced efficently anymore. They also cost more per hour /flight and need more maintenance. These planes will replace the aging lifters in the RAF and alow the UK to continue overseas operations for a generation to come. They are much more important to the UK's survival than HArrier jets. They will bring food, material and manpower to colonies such as Iraq and maintain British dominance over vital ressources.

Harriers were great fighters but are obsolete outside of the ground attack role, and even there the limitations compared to newer aircraft is daunting.

The americans like them because they are ideal for there fleet of Assault Carriers, but even the Americans are developing replacements.

This is a good plane, it will serve the UK 21st century needs well. You shouldn't judge a book by where it's cover was printed

reply

Who ever designed /ordered this has never seen a C130 yet alone a C17. The British goverment have ordered this white elephant (amongst others). What's the thinking there? Oh I know, to keep our European partners happy we will order this overpriced over budget heap of junk and in the interim we will get rid of our Harriers let our American cousins have them cheap. We will reduce the size of our armed forces an order two aircraft carriers which we will not use, but whatever happens we must honour our order for this monstrosity.

reply

prop version of the C-17

reply