RAF
'City of Bristol' Delivers First Operational Payload
The A400M Atlas, the Royal Air Force's newest airlift aircraft, delivered a cargo of vital freight to Cyprus this week on its first operational mission.
It comes as it prepares for initial operational capability later this year.
The aircraft, 'City of Bristol', flew into RAF Akrotiri delivering operational freight, making the training flight also Atlas' first operational tasking.
In the Captain's seat on this historic flight was 24 Squadron pilot, Flight Lieutenant Jamie "JJ" Jackson. He said:
"This flight was incredibly significant for the RAF, demonstrating the capability of the aircraft and that we are able to use it to support operations even before we are declared operational. Once we were airborne the aircraft performed well throughout all phases of flight and was great to fly."
Destined to replace the C130 Hercules, the Atlas is a significantly larger aircraft that has been designed to project tactical air mobility capabilities at range.
Related topics
Join Our Newsletter
