How Big Is The Hangar That Houses An RAF Giant?

A £70m hangar large enough to contain three of the RAF’s new A400M Atlas transport aircraft has been opened by Defence Minister Guto Bebb.

The mammoth facility at RAF Brize Norton covers 24,000 square metres, is 28 metres high and, now it's fitted out, is ready to support RAF transport operations all over the world.

Guto Bebb said:

“From deploying troops and armoured vehicles to a war zone to getting vital support to humanitarian disasters, our Atlas fleet plays a global role and it needs a home to match.

“This huge hangar provides exactly that, and will see Brize Norton ready our Atlas fleet for action wherever they are needed in the world.”

The new hanger is designed to make Atlas maintenance easier, safer and more efficient.

RAF A400M Atlas aircraft, a familiar sight in the skies above RAF Brize Norton where they are based, recently formed part of the UK’s relief response to Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean.

They made shuttle flights from Barbados to destinations across the region to deliver key support to the British Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos and Anguilla.

Defence Equipment and Support Director Air Support, Adrian Baguley, said:

“The Atlas programme is delivering a world-class fleet for the RAF, offering the UK next-generation transport and airlift abilities for operations all over the world.

“Expert support on the ground in the UK is an essential part of that capability and this new facility will ensure that work continues for decades to come.”

The aircraft can carry up to 37 tonnes over a range of 2,000 nautical miles.

It is able to deploy troops and equipment between and within theatres of operation either by parachute or by landing on short, potentially unprepared airstrips.

A400M Atlas' can also carry armoured vehicles, and for humanitarian roles, it is capable of deploying mobile cranes, excavators and large dump trucks for disaster relief operations – for example clearing earthquake sites.

Wing Commander Ed Horne, the Officer Commanding 70 Squadron RAF which operates the UK’s Atlas aircraft said:

“This new hangar provides us with a world-class maintenance facility to match the world-beating capability of the Atlas aircraft.”

The UK has ordered 22 Atlas aircraft for the RAF, 18 of which have been delivered. The entire fleet is due to be delivered by 2022.

RAF Atlas A400M: Key Stats

Engines: Four EPI TP400-D6 turboprops

Thrust: 11,000shp each

Length: 45.1m (that’s the length of 3 double-decker buses)

Span: 42.4m

Max speed: 513mph

Max altitude: 40,000ft

Aircrew: 3

Capacity: 37-tonne payload