11 November 2016, Seville, Spain — Using the second and fourth prototypes of the A400M airlifter, Airbus has further expanded the capabilities of its cargo flagship as a tanker by successfully demonstrating air-to-air refuelling contacts with another A400M. In two flights conducted from Seville, Spain development aircraft #2 (EC-402) performed more than 50 contacts in level flight and turns using the centreline hose and drum unit (HDU) of A400M #4 (EC-404).
The A400M is the only tactical tanker on the market mustering this third (central) refuelling point, in addition to its underwing pods, enabling refuelling of large receivers such as another A400M, C-130 or C-17. It has a basic fuel capacity of 63,500 litres, which can be increased with two extra cargo hold tanks carrying 7,200 litres each, and can refuel from the HDU at a rate of 2,000 litres (600 US gallons) per minute.
The technique would allow the A400M to carry a 20 tonne payload more than 6,000nm / 11,000km non-stop from Paris, France to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The standard A400M aircraft has full provisions for air-to-air refuelling (AAR) operations already installed and only requires the rapid installation of the optional air-to-air refuelling kit to become a tanker. For this purpose Airbus has selected the Cobham fourth generation 900E series pod family which represents the most proven solution in probe and drogue air refuelling in operational service today, being also in use on later models KC-130J and A330 MRTT tankers.
