This year I had the great opportunity to photograph an A400M with the Air to Air refuelling configuration.
In the air forces of seven European NATO states the A400M is increasingly replacing or supplementing the largely obsolete stock of tactical transport aircraft of the types Transall C-160 and Lockheed C-130 Hercules. Its intended range of operations also includes use as a military hospital and tanker aircraft. In 2019 the flight tests for the approval of the air-to-air refuelling system CHT (Cargo Hold Tanks), which can be carried in the cargo hold, were successfully completed. The A400M can carry two 7200-liter tanks in its cargo hold. Further work was carried out on the further development of the night tank vision system and initial tests of the air-to-air refuelling capabilities of helicopters. In August 2020, a Eurocopter EC725 Caracal of the French Armed Forces successfully refuelled a helicopter by an A400M for the first time. Unlike normal transport flights, the A400M has two containers mounted on its wings, so-called AAR pods (air-to-air refueling). They are the heart of an A400M tanker and can be mounted on any normal A400M. The pods contain the air-to-air refuelling hose and an independent power supply. This is necessary, among other things, to generate sufficient fuel pressure during refuelling. The power generator is driven by a small propeller, which is mounted at the tip of the pod and rotates during flight.
a few of the pictures I made.
Best regards Patrik
D1X_0056 by Patrik Scheidegger, auf Flickr
1DIV3657 by Patrik Scheidegger, auf Flickr
1DIV3939 by Patrik Scheidegger, auf Flickr
1DIV4086 by Patrik Scheidegger, auf Flickr
a few more pictures can be found:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/189678236@N05/
Air to Air with an A400M in tanker configuration
Re: Air to Air with an A400M in tanker configuration
Great photos from a fantastic opportunity
Andy
Andy
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Re: Air to Air with an A400M in tanker configuration
Very nice Patrik
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Re: Air to Air with an A400M in tanker configuration
Not something you get to see every day. Terrific images.
- capercaillie
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Re: Air to Air with an A400M in tanker configuration
Very nice Patrik. What's the airfield? Is that a Gripen I spy through the prop?
Re: Air to Air with an A400M in tanker configuration
Great pics Patrik. It looks like a Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master. Polish/Italian?capercaillie wrote: ↑Wed 04 Nov 2020, 4:37 pmVery nice Patrik. What's the airfield? Is that a Gripen I spy through the prop?
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Re: Air to Air with an A400M in tanker configuration
As most of the other airto airs are taken in the Czech Repulic I'd go for...
Saab Gripen
Saab Gripen