LONDON—The U.K. is rapidly building up confidence and capability on its new A400M airlifter, but its introduction is creating some unexpected headaches, test and evaluation officials say.
Long delays in the development of the aircraft’s Standard Operating Clearances (SOCs), which allow it to perform tactical missions, have resulted in aircraft being delivered with differing equipment fits and capabilities, explained Sqn. Ldr. Glen Willcox and Flt. Lt. David Arnold of the U.K.’s Heavy Aircraft Test Squadron (HATS), which is performing the test and evaluation of the aircraft as it enters service.
The U.K. defense ministry has drawn up an eight-year timetable of Capability Milestones (CMs) that the A400M will need to achieve if it is to replace the Royal Air Force’s fleet of C-130J Hercules in 2022.
“The U.K. had planned to take its deliveries in batches, based on the Standard Operating Clearances,” said Willcox, the A400M test and evaluation flight commander, speaking at the Royal Aeronautical Society Sept. 10.
However, delays in developing SOC has meant that each aircraft has been delivered with minor differences, resulting in the problem of having fleets within fleets, even at this early stage in the program.