French Army Explores New Logistic Approach in Contested Zones with Airbus A400M Supply Glider Airdrop Tests
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The Airbus A400M Atlas, already tested for drone airdrops, is set to explore a new logistical capability with the deployment of supply gliders. Faced with the limitations of traditional parachute drops, which require aircraft to fly directly over the landing zone and expose them to surface-to-air threats, the French Army is seeking to improve supply delivery in contested areas.
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The A400M Atlas, a military transport aircraft designed for both strategic and tactical missions, serves as an ideal platform for integrating this glider (Picture source: French MoD)
The concept involves a disposable glider that can be dropped at a distance and autonomously travel several dozen kilometers before reaching its target with high precision. Released from an altitude of 24,000 to 30,000 feet and more than 80 km from the landing point, this system would provide a safer and more flexible alternative for resupply in hostile environments. The project is currently the subject of a call for expressions of interest issued by the French Directorate General of Armaments’ aerospace innovation center (DGA/Techniques Aérospatiales IDEA3), with a submission deadline set for March 12.
The A400M Atlas, a military transport aircraft designed for both strategic and tactical missions, serves as an ideal platform for integrating this glider. With a payload capacity of up to 35 tons, it can transport armored vehicles, helicopters, or up to 116 equipped paratroopers. Its range of 4,700 nautical miles allows it to reach distant operational theaters without refueling, while its four TP400-D6 engines, each producing 11,600 horsepower, provide high-performance capabilities. The A400M is also designed to operate from unprepared runways, a key feature for supporting forces deployed in difficult terrain. Its advanced avionics and automatic terrain-following system, a first for a transport aircraft, enable it to fly at very low altitudes and perform precise airdrops in contested environments.
The supply glider must be fully autonomous, following a preprogrammed flight path after release. It must cover a distance of 70 to 80 km while carrying a payload of 700 kg, with a minimum volume of one cubic meter, expandable to 1.5 cubic meters depending on operational needs. The system must allow for serial deployment, with at least two units released simultaneously, requiring secure integration in the A400M’s cargo hold to ensure stable restraint and safe deployment. Designed as a disposable asset, it will not be recovered but must ensure the intact delivery of its cargo. Landing capability must be controlled, whether on dry or wet terrain, with a vertical impact speed below 9 m/s to preserve the payload’s condition and facilitate its rapid recovery by ground forces.
This project represents a significant development in military airborne logistics, providing an alternative to traditional parachute drops while reducing transport aircraft exposure to hostile threats. By enabling a more flexible and secure resupply method, it could meet the needs of forces operating in contested environments, particularly when ground access is obstructed. The integration of such a system within the French Army would enhance operational resilience and responsiveness while optimizing air assets for logistical missions.
Similar systems already exist, notably in the United States, where the Silent Arrow GD-2000, an autonomous and disposable supply glider, is designed for deployment from C-130 or CH-47 aircraft. The JPADS (Joint Precision Airdrop System), a GPS-guided parachute, is also used for precision supply drops. However, the French glider would distinguish itself by its integration with the A400M, enabling serial airdrops and optimized material delivery over longer distances. By leveraging the glider’s autonomous flight capability and the A400M’s high-altitude drop capacity, the French Army could benefit from an innovative solution that significantly enhances airborne logistical operations.
If successfully developed, this project could transform resupply capabilities by offering a reliable and autonomous method for delivering cargo to difficult or conflict-affected areas. This technology could also pave the way for future innovations in military transport and logistics, with potential applications in humanitarian missions, such as delivering medical supplies or essential resources in crisis situations.
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The Airbus A400M Atlas, already tested for drone airdrops, is set to explore a new logistical capability with the deployment of supply gliders. Faced with the limitations of traditional parachute drops, which require aircraft to fly directly over the landing zone and expose them to surface-to-air threats, the French Army is seeking to improve supply delivery in contested areas.
The A400M Atlas, a military transport aircraft designed for both strategic and tactical missions, serves as an ideal platform for integrating this glider (Picture source: French MoD)
The concept involves a disposable glider that can be dropped at a distance and autonomously travel several dozen kilometers before reaching its target with high precision. Released from an altitude of 24,000 to 30,000 feet and more than 80 km from the landing point, this system would provide a safer and more flexible alternative for resupply in hostile environments. The project is currently the subject of a call for expressions of interest issued by the French Directorate General of Armaments’ aerospace innovation center (DGA/Techniques Aérospatiales IDEA3), with a submission deadline set for March 12.
The A400M Atlas, a military transport aircraft designed for both strategic and tactical missions, serves as an ideal platform for integrating this glider. With a payload capacity of up to 35 tons, it can transport armored vehicles, helicopters, or up to 116 equipped paratroopers. Its range of 4,700 nautical miles allows it to reach distant operational theaters without refueling, while its four TP400-D6 engines, each producing 11,600 horsepower, provide high-performance capabilities. The A400M is also designed to operate from unprepared runways, a key feature for supporting forces deployed in difficult terrain. Its advanced avionics and automatic terrain-following system, a first for a transport aircraft, enable it to fly at very low altitudes and perform precise airdrops in contested environments.
The supply glider must be fully autonomous, following a preprogrammed flight path after release. It must cover a distance of 70 to 80 km while carrying a payload of 700 kg, with a minimum volume of one cubic meter, expandable to 1.5 cubic meters depending on operational needs. The system must allow for serial deployment, with at least two units released simultaneously, requiring secure integration in the A400M’s cargo hold to ensure stable restraint and safe deployment. Designed as a disposable asset, it will not be recovered but must ensure the intact delivery of its cargo. Landing capability must be controlled, whether on dry or wet terrain, with a vertical impact speed below 9 m/s to preserve the payload’s condition and facilitate its rapid recovery by ground forces.
This project represents a significant development in military airborne logistics, providing an alternative to traditional parachute drops while reducing transport aircraft exposure to hostile threats. By enabling a more flexible and secure resupply method, it could meet the needs of forces operating in contested environments, particularly when ground access is obstructed. The integration of such a system within the French Army would enhance operational resilience and responsiveness while optimizing air assets for logistical missions.
Similar systems already exist, notably in the United States, where the Silent Arrow GD-2000, an autonomous and disposable supply glider, is designed for deployment from C-130 or CH-47 aircraft. The JPADS (Joint Precision Airdrop System), a GPS-guided parachute, is also used for precision supply drops. However, the French glider would distinguish itself by its integration with the A400M, enabling serial airdrops and optimized material delivery over longer distances. By leveraging the glider’s autonomous flight capability and the A400M’s high-altitude drop capacity, the French Army could benefit from an innovative solution that significantly enhances airborne logistical operations.
If successfully developed, this project could transform resupply capabilities by offering a reliable and autonomous method for delivering cargo to difficult or conflict-affected areas. This technology could also pave the way for future innovations in military transport and logistics, with potential applications in humanitarian missions, such as delivering medical supplies or essential resources in crisis situations.
