WIX Archives
C-17 vs. A400M
Posted by bdk on Tue Dec 17, 2002 12:50:04 PM
In reply top Re: And Canada, Australia, more for the UK, etc. posted by Mikael Olrog on Tue Dec 17, 2002 12:13:39 PM
: Hi Bdk,
:
: Well, what can I say, when I visited CASA in Madrid this M
: ay I got the impression that they're on top of things.
They may well be, but they aren't the funding source!
: Bearing in mind the impact Airbus have had on the american
: dominans on the Airliner market in recent years I hope th
: at you don't regard the A400M as an "wellfare"project, it
: might come a nasty surprice...;-)
I think that most of the European countries regard it as a welfare project too. That is why some of them are trying to back out, even though they say they are not because they don't want to be accused of being the country that backs away from their commitment. The A400 should have been started 20 years ago to meet the existing needs.
: Don't know the details about the offset deals for the C-17
: offered to the european countries, but the A400M would be
: built to 100% in the same countries so the deals better b
: e real good to be competitive.
Obviously it is better for employment to have the Airbus airplane, but at what cost? The USAF has already paid for the development of the C-17, and the USAF commitment to buy 180 aircraft has already dramatically reduced the production cost. The USAF would actually therefore be subsidizing the European countries if they bought C-17's, rather than the European citizens funding the A400 development cost.
: They'll also come up with a potent tanker version wich can
: be a challenge to current dominant actor on the market.
If needed, the C-17 can also be converted. There have been studies done, but there are so many lower cost options out there for commercial aircraft conversions there is no need. This would probably be true for the A400 as well.
: Anyway, I had a great day at CASA, studying their producti
: on line for Airbus parts, their production line for Eurofi
: ghters including close access to their Eurofighter prototy
: pe (now crashed - they should buy SAAB 39 Gripen instead!:
: ). May be you can give me the same grand tour - and I'll p
: romise to argue your case next time! LOL
Hmmm... Eurofighter? Will the A400 have the same success? How many Eurofighters have been sold? How long has this project been going?
I don't deny that European manufacturers have a great deal of expertise, but is the A400 the right aircraft at the right time? Only time will tell. The C-17 has already proven to be successful beyond anyone's imagination. There is NO risk in selecting the C-17, a proven aircraft. There is a much greater risk in continuing the A400 program.
Naturally this is my opinion. I'm sure that everyone else will have their own opinion too.
Brandon
: /Mikael