747400sp From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 3301 posts, RR: 2 Posted (5 years 7 months 18 hours ago) and read 4402 times:
With the USAF looking at the A380 as a C-5 replacement, you could say USAF would consider Airbus in their fleet. For some time now, I wonder if Airbus could design a cargo jet base up on an A400 design enlarge to an A380 size. Being an American in active duty service, I did not feel right about posting a ideal for Airbus. Now that the USAF is looking to Airbus for replacement for AF-1, E-4s and C-5s, I feel conferable with this ideal. So could Airbus build a cargo jet using an A380 size A400 design with A380 or new engines?
Stitch From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 26717 posts, RR: 83 Reply 2, posted (5 years 7 months 15 hours ago) and read 4362 times:
Quoting 747400sp (Thread starter): So could Airbus build a cargo jet using an A380 size A400 design with A380 or new engines?
I see no reason why not, but as noted, the Russians already have such designs and with Western technology infusions, could be made even more effective.
EBJ1248650 From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 1932 posts, RR: 2 Reply 4, posted (5 years 7 months 12 hours ago) and read 4296 times:
Quoting Stitch (Reply 2): I see no reason why not, but as noted, the Russians already have such designs and with Western technology infusions, could be made even more effective.
Airbus could surely design such an airplane, but then so could Boeing and Lockheed-Martin. It wouldn't come as a big surprise to see a specification written up and issued to all three. Boeing would likely be favored since it's US based and is building big jets. That wouldn't make them the automatic winner though.
The big question would be whether it would be worthwhile for Airbus to put the effort into designing such an airplane when so few air forces would have the money to buy it. RAF wouldn't; C-17A seems to be big enough for them ... and within their budget. Production run of the new airplane would likely be less than 100 machines.
DL767captain From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 2539 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (5 years 7 months 2 hours ago) and read 4219 times:
i don't understand how the A380 could be a C-5 replacement, its not the same type of plane, the A380 at most would be suitable for the A380F hauling packages around, not carrying tanks. If Airbus made something like a C-17 that would make more sense, but I can't see a passenger jet as a military cargo plane, it just doesn't make sense, there would probably need to be a lot of changes made to the A380
Stitch From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 26717 posts, RR: 83 Reply 6, posted (5 years 6 months 4 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 4149 times:
Quoting DL767captain (Reply 5): i don't understand how the A380 could be a C-5 replacement...
It can't.
On paper, it offers more payload lift (by 30mt) and doubles the range (10000km vs 4500km), however it is restricted to "freight industry" pallets and LD3 containers and cannot take anything like the variety of cargo the C-5 can.
The 747-8F would offer more flexibility in terms of outsize and non-standard cargo and would itself offer more payload (by 20mt) and range (another 3000km or so), but it too cannot offer the same flexibility in load-out nor can it be loaded with wheeled and tracked vehicles as easily (though far easier then the A380F).
The C-5M program boosts payload to close to that of the 747-8F and A380F and improves the range (I can't find a specific number, but it is said to be in the area of 30% so figure around 6000km).
Stitch From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 26717 posts, RR: 83 Reply 8, posted (5 years 6 months 4 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 4103 times:
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