AIRBUS MILITARY AIRCRAFT
| Manufacturer | PWR | MTD | WS | FL | Max Kts/Mach | H | Max OC | Max Pay. | C | P |
| Future Large Aircraft (FLA) Tactical transport | 41.4 | 42.0 | M 0.72 | 4 | 37,000 | 32,000 | 4 | 124 | ||
| 4 x To be announced | ||||||||||
| 3885 km range with 25,000kg payload, 500m landing distance with full reverse thrust | ||||||||||
Abbreviations: PWR-Power, Max TD-Thrust dry, Max TR-Thrust re-heat, WS-Wingspan, FL-Fuselage length, Max RF-Max range (km), H-Hardpoints, Max OC-Max Operating Ceiling, Max Pay.-Max Payload, C-Crew, P-Pax, Max WLE-Max Load External (warload) (kg), E-Endurance, CR Max PNR-Combat Radius Max Payload No-Refuel.
Airbus Military Company (AMC), Airbus Industrie A1/FLA, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, Blagnac, 31707 Cedex, France; Tel:+33 5 61 93 30 19, Fax:+33 5 61 93 34 70
Future Large Aircraft (FLA)
Formal launch of the FLA programme to develop a European tactical transport has yet to get under way, with the latest in a long line of setbacks being Germany's interest, at a political level, in using the Antonov An-70 as the basis for the project. AMC rejected the An-70 as a candidate airframe in June 1998.
The European nations involved have indicated a requirement for 280-300 aircraft, although funding for development remains a concern, with France, Germany and the UK looking to industry to provide the necessary cash. The UK also intends to examine alternatives to the FLA, and is to issue requests for proposals to Boeing and Lockheed Martin by the end of 1998.
The FLA is now seen as a four-turboprop aircraft with high wing, T-tail and rear loading ramp. A tanker variant would have two or three hose/drogue units and/or a flying boom. Studies envisage a maximum take-off weight of 105,000kg, maximum payload of 25,000kg, unrefuelled range of 5,560km and typical operating speed of Mach 0.72.
The aircraft will be able to operate from semi-prepared strips, with a crew of two pilots and a loadmaster.
Source: Flight International
