The primary of two Airbus A321LR (lengthy vary) troop transport plane has been delivered by Lufthansa Technik to the German Armed Forces.
The conversion of the plane at Lufthansa Technik’s base in Hamburg, Germany, started final December. Within the months that adopted, it was initially modified for versatile troop and passenger transport in addition to parliamentary flight operations on short-, medium- and long-haul routes. The utmost capability on this configuration is 136 passengers.
As a part of this preliminary modification section, Lufthansa Technik has already made quite a few preparations for the medevac function, which is able to broaden the plane’s scope of operations to incorporate capabilities for the certified air transport of wounded, injured and diseased passengers. This encompassed, for instance, in depth pre-modifications equivalent to an prolonged oxygen provide on board, which is important for the upcoming use as a flying intensive care unit.
The required STC, each civil and army, for the plane along with the related New Technology Affected person Transport Units (PTE NG) is deliberate for mid-2023. It would allow the transport of as much as six intensive care sufferers or of as much as 12 mildly or reasonably sick/injured sufferers. Lufthansa Technik will ship a complete of 12 models and two reserve models of the PTE NG to the German Armed Forces.
The handover – on the ILA Berlin airshow – was preceded by an intensive take a look at and acceptance programme carried out by the Federal Workplace of Bundeswehr Tools, Data Know-how and In-Service Help (BAAINBw), the Bundeswehr Technical Heart for Plane and Aeronautical Tools (WTD 61) and the Particular Air Mission Wing of the German Federal Ministry of Protection (Flugbereitschaft BMVg). In keeping with this, the plane, which presently continues to be on the civilian register, can now quickly obtain its official army certification below the tactical registration 15+10. On the identical time, the primary members of flight, cabin and technical crews of the German Air Drive have already been educated by Lufthansa Technik and Lufthansa Technical Coaching in dealing with the brand new A321LR. A sister plane with the tactical registration 15+11 is predicted to comply with shortly.
“The handover of the primary A321LR to the German Air Drive is one other milestone for us in what has turn out to be a profitable partnership spanning many years,” stated Soeren Stark, chief operations officer at Lufthansa Technik. “I’m all of the extra happy that we’ve as soon as once more succeeded in assembly the excessive calls for of our buyer. With a cabin exactly tailor-made to the wants of the German Air Drive, our crew has as soon as once more set requirements. For this, my honest thanks go to all concerned.”
“I’m delighted to take supply of the primary of two A321LRs right here at ILA as we speak,” stated Benedikt Zimmer, State Secretary on the German Ministry of Protection (BMVg). “Solely two years have handed from the financing dedication to supply of the plane: an instance of how briskly the procurement of obtainable merchandise can run. We wish to construct on these processes sooner or later. However in fact, all that is additionally as a result of crew effort. I wish to thank these concerned from the BMVg, the BAAINBw, the German Air Drive and the businesses who labored collectively right here in a spirit of belief.”
“For me, the principle factor is that this Airbus A321 Lengthy Vary in its gray livery sends a transparent sign to our troops,” stated Lieutenant Normal Ingo Gerhartz, the German Air Chief. “The troopers of the German Armed Forces can be delighted with the brand new transport plane – an improve to ‘Army Enterprise Class’. Our new Airbus will quickly be flying west throughout the Atlantic to choose up navy alternate crews in Latin America, for instance, it can fly our military comrades to Lithuania or our servicemen and ladies to Africa. This A321 will shoulder an unlimited mission bundle and assist save lives on its worldwide missions. We’re thus enthusiastic about this new ‘member’ of our ‘Air Drive Household’. Our flight crews, onboard crews, technicians and members of the Particular Air Mission Wing welcome it warmly.”
“Along with our companion Lufthansa Technik, we’ve labored to make sure this plane meets all expectations,” stated Guillaume Faury, chief govt officer at Airbus. “The A321LR not solely flies longer routes than ever, it additionally delivers a 20% discount in CO2 emissions in comparison with earlier technology plane and is licensed to run on 50% sustainable aviation fuels, which might cut back emissions even additional. Briefly, I’ve each confidence the A321 Lengthy Vary can be a superb addition to the Particular Air Mission Wing and is an ideal complement to their ACJ350s, of which the primary is already in service.”
Picture and video: Lufthansa Technik AG
