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World Defense & Security News - Malaysia
 
 
First Royal Malaysian Air Force's A400M military airlifter rolled out of the paintshop
 
The first Airbus A400M new generation airlifter for the Royal Malaysian Air Force has now been painted in its new colours at the Airbus Defence and Space facility in Seville, Spain. In the coming days the aircraft, known as MSN22, will perform its first ground tests and flights before delivery. RMAF pilots, maintenance engineers and technicians are already undergoing training at the Airbus Defence and Space International Training Centre in Seville, Spain.
     
The first Airbus A400M new generation airlifter for the Royal Malaysian Air Force has now been painted in its new colours at the Airbus Defence and Space facility in Seville, Spain. In the coming days the aircraft, known as MSN22, will perform its first ground tests and flights before delivery. RMAF pilots, maintenance engineers and technicians are already undergoing training at the Airbus Defence and Space International Training Centre in Seville, Spain. First RMAF's Airbus A400M military airlifter at Airbus Defence and Space facility in Seville, Spain
     
Malaysia joined the A400M program in 2005 and ordered four units. The aircraft will be delivered in the first quarter of 2015, followed by two more later in the year and the fourth and final aircraft in 2016.

Last year, the RMAF has decided to create a new unit – the 22nd Squadron – for the four Airbus A400M transport planes.

The Airbus A400M increases the airlift capacity and range compared with the aircraft it was originally set to replace, the older versions of the Hercules and Transall. Cargo capacity is expected to double over existing aircraft, both in payload and volume, and range is increased substantially as well. The A400M carries outsize loads such as helicopters, heavy engineering equipment and armoured vehicles that are too large or too heavy for current tactical airlifters.

The A400M is capable of carrying a load of 32 tonnes over a range of 2300nmls at speeds comparable with pure-jet military transports; furthermore, the range of the aircraft can be extended by the use of a removable, air refuelling probe mounted above the cockpit. The aircraft is capable of operating either at low-level (down to 150ft agl) or at high-level altitudes to 11,300m, and it is able to deploy troops and/or equipment between and within theatres of operation either by parachute (up to 108 paratroopers), or by landing on short, unprepared or semi-prepared strips.