Yet more A400m Woes....

[Downsizer]

But is it?
The A330 airframe is (apparently) adaptable enough to be made into a tanker, so it has the lift capability. Is there any real reason why it should not also be a carrier ?

Do you know of any A330's that have rough strip capability??

 

[tag_lincoln]

The only reason we would go down that route is political, the A330 may be a good arliner and could move kit in and out of MOBs but it wouldn't be able to operate in the same environments as the C130 or C17. Tankers by their nature operate from more developed bases with big runways and large fuel stocks, there is no need for them to operate from a FOB or remote landing strip, tactical support on the other hand should be exactly that, ie tactical. C17, C130J and I'm sure a few other aircraft that are available now whilst having long service lifes ahead of them would be a better option. Hopefully if the Defence Sec has said he is considering C17s then someone has at least made tentative inquiries and that it is possible, (if not then I'm sure someone has since he made that announcement).