# Airbus A400M Atlas

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airbus-a400m-atlas/754788>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [May 14, 2016, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airbus-a400m-atlas/754788 "2016-05-14T20:12:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\
**Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airbus-a400m-atlas/754788/1 "2016-05-14T20:12:04Z")

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The [Airbus A400M Atlas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_A400M_Atlas) is designed as

> [@](#):
>
> as a tactical airlifter with strategic capabilities to replace older transport aircraft, such as… the Lockheed C-130 Hercules.

Now it seems that the A400M [has an issue with cracking](http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-13/airbus-identifies-cracking-behavior-in-a400m-military-aircraft). Airbus says, ‘It concerns a previously unknown cracking behavior of an aluminum alloys material. The issue is not impacting flight safety and does not require any immediate measures beyond a program of inspections and repairs that can be incorporated into the normal maintenance and upgrades schedules.’

The A400M is larger than a C-130 and can carry heavier loads, and apparently can use rougher landing areas than the larger C-17. It’s a cool-looking plane. [Here it is with a C-130 and a C-17](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/The_Airbus_A400M%2C_the_RAF%27s_future_transport_aircraft_MOD_45151806.jpg/1920px-The_Airbus_A400M%2C_the_RAF%27s_future_transport_aircraft_MOD_45151806.jpg).

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**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2016, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airbus-a400m-atlas/754788/2 "2016-05-15T04:48:53Z")

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There’s a bit of artistry with the forced perspective in that photo of the A400M, C-130, and C-17.