Airbus Suggests Combined Efforts for Single Solution

In a bid to resolve the competition between Rolls-Royce and Snecma to power the A400M military transport, Airbus has suggested the two engine-makers combine their efforts to come up with a single solution offering even better performance and economy.

Both firms have made proposals that meet Airbus criteria, but something better might ensue if they collaborate, A400M program head Adolfo Revuelta told European and U.S. press at a pre-Farnborough conference in Oxford. He'd like to see a decision made by the end of the year so as to meet the 2007 delivery date.

Rolls-Royce is offering the BR700TP, based on the BR700 engine core with two shafts, free turbine concept and the benefit of Allison gearbox experience. Snecma is putting forward the M138, an M88 derivative also with two shafts and LP compressor, based on FiatAvio experience.
Participating governments have been asked for definite commitments on the A400M by the end of March 2001, Revuelta said. Provisional requirements for 228 aircraft (Germany 75, France 50, Spain 27, Turkey 26, UK 25, Italy 10 and Belgium 7) would more or less justify launching, and with more than 2,500 military transports of 15-25 ton payload in service, there would be a replacement market for some 600 A400Ms .

Revuelta said the opportunity to combine Airbus technology and EADS expertise in military transport aircraft offered maximum synergies between military and civil designs. The fact that Airbus is handling the program as a civil project, with a commercial approach, represents low risk and introduces best modern practices to defense procurement, he said.

Once production is under way, deliveries will be made at the rate of about three aircraft per month, with the first three going to France, the UK and Turkey.

By Steve Morris