The Airbus A400M has not finished evolving. Already used by the French army for the transport of troops, equipment and in-flight refueling, the military aircraft could soon fulfill new missions. By 2028, it would be capable of coordinating operations, controlling drones and even dropping weapons on ground targets. To achieve this, the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) asked the Airbus Defense division to strengthen its operational capabilities.
At the heart of this development is a device called Parallel Mission System (PMS)intended to transform the device into a real flying command post, explain our colleagues from The Dispatch. The PMS will be based on the installation of an optronic ball outside the aircraft and several control stations in the hold. This device will allow crews to have a real-time view of the battlefield and to coordinate different resources engaged in the same operation.
A multifunction A400M by 2028
“This will allow coordinate the different actors in an operation such as ground troops, helicopters and fighter planes”specifies Paul Villemin, key account director at Airbus Defense & Space in charge of the Air and Space Force. Ultimately, the system’s capabilities will go even further. “This mission system will also ultimately make it possible to control drones, bombs and cruise missiles dropped from the aircraft’s hold”he adds.
The Air Force currently has around twenty A400Ms. France plans to acquire six kits PMSwhich can be installed on any of these devices depending on operational needs. The system was designed to be easily adaptable. According to Airbus, it will be enough to install the optronic ball, make a few electrical connections and add removable workstations.
A strategic bet to relaunch the A400M
A first aircraft should be equipped soon in order to test the device in real conditions. The different technological bricks used already exist and have been tested on the European manufacturer’s Casa aircraft. Flight tests are expected from next year, with certification targeted for 2028.
By providing the A400M with new capabilities, Airbus hopes to revive sales of its military aircraft. The manufacturer has no longer recorded any orders since 2021 and is banking on this modernization to convince new customers and extend the production of its device.
