Airportability Section

Main Effort

1. Support to Ops.
2. Production of air transport aircraft loading Air Publications.
3. A400M Entry into Service.
4. Provision of airportability subject matter expertise.

Aim
Airportability Section (AP Section) aim to develop techniques and procedures for the loading and restraint of equipment and vehicles in fixed and rotary winged aircraft. Able to provide advice on all airportability issues in order to meet the requirements of Joint Air Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit (JADTEU) customers, AP Section regularly provide subject matter experts (SMEs) to MoD agencies and the wider aviation community.

Introduction
AP Section produce tie down schemes (TDS) which detail the correct loading, restraint and unloading procedures for equipment and vehicles in RAF fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
The airportability trial methodically assesses assets against strict criteria. These criteria include dangerous goods classification, loading and unloading ability, restraint rating and overall aircraft-specific qualification. Another important aspect of the section's work is the provision of advice to service establishments and external agencies.

Advice to external agencies.
In addition to routine airportability trial work, AP Section provides subject-matter expertise to external agencies such as the Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO), Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO) and civilian industry on all aspects of transportability of equipment in RAF air transport aircraft, to include advice at both the design and prototype stage of a project. The Airportability Section also provides advice to, and liaises with, NATO and other nationalities.

Aircraft
AP Section routinely produces tie down schemes for the following in-service aircraft:

• Boeing Globemaster III, C-17 (A)
• Lockheed Hercules, C-130K
• Lockheed Hercules, C-130J
• Boeing Chinook
• EHI Merlin Mk 3
• Airbus, A400M

The following aircraft clearances are less common however; remain under the umbrella of AP Section:

• BAe, VC-10
• Lockheed Tristar

Operational Tasks
During operations there are frequent requests for an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) to transport equipment and vehicles not previously cleared for air transport. AP Section at JADTEU has the ability and resources to evaluate and escort ‘un-cleared’ loads for delivery into or return from operational theatres ahead of the normal clearance criteria.

• Russian sub rescue
• Special Forces equipment
• Battle damaged aircraft

Exceptional Tasks
In the event of global or national disaster and crisis, AP Section may be called upon to deliver expertise and support wherever airportability operations are required. The Section also provides support in efforts such as crash recovery and when called upon to provide support to civilian powers.

• Tsunami relief operations
• Aircraft crash recovery

 

Background
In the In the early 1990s it was recognised by a number of European Nations that their ageing military air transport fleet of C-130 Hercules and C-160 Transall’s needed replacing. 
In response, a European Staff Requirement was drawn up and the A400M was chosen by UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Spain and Turkey as the aircraft of choice.

For the UK in particular the A400M would replace the C130K fleet and offer a larger cargo carrying volume, a greater maximum payload and higher cruise speed. 

When in RAF Service the 25 A400M aircraft will make up over half of the UK’s rear cargo door air transport capability. 

A400M Airportability
A400M Airportability On delivery the A400M will be fully certified by Airbus to carry up to 116 passengers and wheeled and palletised loads up to 32,000 kg. To assist with a seamless entry into service from an airportability perspective, a 5 man RAF Movements team of A400M SME’s has been set up within JADTEU to clear for airportability some 650 items of in-service military equipment prior to the delivery of the first aircraft. The 650 items consist of helicopters, tracked, wheeled, palletised and specialist equipment.  

To qualify these items and future equipment for airportability, JADTEU are procuring, through the A400M Project Team (PT) and via Airbus Military (AMSL), a ‘state-of-the-art’ 1–1 scale Cargo Hold Mock Up (CHMU) of the UK A400M. The CHMU will have full kneeling, hiking and ramp/ toe movement capabilities and can support an item in excess of 32,000 kg.  

The JADTEU A400M Programme is the lead organisation in load clearance and airportability for A400M. The other participating nations are looking closely at how JADTEU do business in order to harmonize their own airportability processes and aid future A400M interoperability.

A400M Capabilities
The A400M is a medium range aircraft that can be used in either the strategic or tactical role. It has the ability to deploy troops and freight between theatres or within theatre of operations either by parachute or by landing on short, semi-prepared strips and can carry up to 30 tonnes as far as Goose Bay or Gander or anywhere in the Mediterranean. 

It is a wide-body medium to heavy lift aircraft able to accept larger loads than the C-130 and capable of positioning vehicles side by side.  Designed to be multi-role capable, it can carry passengers, cargo, mail, airdrop and conduct Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC), Air to Air Refuelling (AAR) and Search and Rescue (SAR). The aircraft can kneel or hike its tail to assist the loading of cargo and helicopters.  The main floor dimensions are 17.25m (664in) long, 4m (157in) wide and 4m high.