Looking like a scaled down C-17 or a slightly larger and more advanced YC-15, the C-2 is hitting the real sweet spot in future tactical airlift.
The A400 was designed to fill that niche but it's missed the mark due to advancements in armor technology and changing defense trends. The 30 ton payload of the A400 just won't do. Additionally its price point is going to make it difficult to export.
Now compare that to the C-2. Its faster than the A400, has a bigger payload, and is zooming toward production and should be on the defense market anytime. The Japanese just relaxed export restrictions and this airplane should be one of the first beneficiaries of that decision.
The Kawasaki C-2. The real A400 Grizzly killer.
I believe max payload is about the same for both, about 37 tons. Also the Japanese are not known for low cost military equipment so I don't know if this is going to be a slam dunk.
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying that the C-2 won't turn out to be a tough competitor and possibly the winning plane in that class. Certainly EADS can't be happy about the C-2 nor are they probably excited about the possible impact of the KC-390 jumping in between the CN-295 and the A-400.
The A400M is too expensive and it's an odd class of transport being too large for many tactical missions and not large enough to operate as a strategic airlifter. It costs almost as much as a C-17 and carries about half the payload slower and over a shorter distance. It's too expensive to be a C-130 replacement.
ReplyDeleteIt will be extremely interesting to see exactly how it performs with the RAF alongside the C-130J and C-17. Even if one assumes it performs wonderfully it still costs more than twice as much as a C-130J, an air force operating it still also requires a smaller tactical airlifter to be cost effective, and one will still need to lease real strategic airlifters.
It's still a bit odd in a program to replace the C-160 to end up with the A400M. Hopefully for those involved it doesn't break the bank.
A400m? Well we Brits used to build a plane like that,
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_Belfast
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiI0LhFiCaQ
Super aircraft. Got squashed because our allies wanted us to buy more of their smaller inferior plane.
Another thing to think about before you embark on one of your anti-UK rants.
allies?
ReplyDeleteget over yourself. the British aviation industry suffered from self inflicted wounds...mainly from a government that consistently bet wrong on the future of airpower.
not my fault that the socialist in your midst let you down.
pound sand.