Airbus A400M Atlas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids A400M Atlas
The second prototype A400M, Grizzly 2, at the 2010 Farnborough Airshow
Role	Strategic/tactical airlift
Manufacturer	Airbus Defence and Space
First flight	11 December 2009
Introduction	2013
Status	In service
Primary users	French Air Force Turkish Air Force
Produced	2007–present

The Airbus A400M Atlas is a large military cargo aircraft. It is designed to carry heavy equipment and troops for different countries' armed forces. This powerful plane is built by Airbus Defence and Space, which is part of the bigger Airbus Group. It's known for being able to land on shorter, rougher runways than many other large transport planes.

The Airbus A400M Atlas

What is the A400M?

The Airbus A400M Atlas is a special kind of aircraft built for military use. It is a cargo aircraft, meaning it carries things, not passengers. It has four powerful turboprops and a high-wing design. This design helps it fly well and carry heavy loads.

Where is it built?

The A400M Atlas is built in different parts of Europe. The main assembly happens in Spain. The wings are made in the UK. The cockpit and landing gear parts come from France. Germany helps put together the main body, called the fuselage. This shows how many countries work together to build this big plane.

First Flights and Use

The first flight of the A400M Atlas was on December 11, 2009. After more testing, it started being used by militaries in 2013. The French Air Force was one of the first to use it. They used the plane in Mali during a conflict in 2013 and 2014. Many countries have ordered the Atlas, including France, Germany, Spain, and the UK.

A Test Flight Accident

On May 11, 2015, an Airbus A400M had an accident in Spain. This happened during its final flight testing. Sadly, two pilots and two flight engineers were killed. After the accident, some countries like Britain, Germany, Malaysia, and Turkey temporarily stopped using their A400Ms. Spain also paused all testing of the planes. This was done to find out what caused the accident and make sure the planes were safe.

Images for kids

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  The A400M (next to bottom) and aircraft it is intended to replace or complement C-130, C-130J-30 and C-17.

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  A400M as viewed from below

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  The first A400M during the world presentation in Seville on 26 June 2008

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  The first A400M during its fourth flight on 15 January 2010

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  A400M demonstrator arrives for the 2019 RIAT, England

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  A400M cargo compartment

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  Cockpit with side-stick and glass cockpit avionics

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  Hamilton Sundstrand propeller for A400M at the Paris Air Show 2009

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  A400M showing its counter-rotating propellers on each wing

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  A French A400M performs airdrops during Exercise Mobility Guardian 2017.

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  A German A400M refuels a US Navy FA-18E Super Hornet that patrols NATO airspace during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

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  RAF A400M Atlas takes off from a beach in South Wales in May 2017.

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  Royal Malaysian Air Force A400M

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  Airbus A400M silhouettes

See also

In Spanish: Airbus A400M Atlas para niños