{"id":39276,"date":"2020-06-03T15:47:43","date_gmt":"2020-06-03T15:47:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2020\/06\/03\/airbus-a400m-cleared-to-drop-more-paratroopers-through-its-side-doors\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T23:13:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:13:05","slug":"airbus-a400m-cleared-to-drop-more-paratroopers-through-its-side-doors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/global\/europe\/2020\/06\/03\/airbus-a400m-cleared-to-drop-more-paratroopers-through-its-side-doors\/","title":{"rendered":"Airbus A400M cleared to drop more paratroopers through its side doors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

PARIS \u2013 The Airbus A400M transport aircraft has been certified over the past few weeks for two capabilities: simultaneously dispatching 116 paratroopers (58 from each of the side doors) and automatic, low-level flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this does not mean the air forces of the six partner nations of the A400M program (Belgium, France Germany, Spain, Turkey and the UK) can immediately use these capabilities in operational conditions. \u201cThere is a difference between certification and operational capability,\u201d a press spokesman for the DGA French procurement agency told Defense News. He explained that the French Air Force has declared operational capability for 30 paratroopers to jump from one side door. \u201cThat means if the president orders the armed forces to undertake a mission where they would need to have 30 paratroopers jump from the side door, we could do so immediately,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paratroopers can already deploy operationally two at a time in free fall from the aircraft\u2019s rear ramp. With the deployment from the side doors, the parachute opens automatically. The French air force expects to be able to use both side doors operationally next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\t