Story perspectives

DGA hires Airbus for Parallel Mission System on 20 A400Ms

6/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

The DGA contracted Airbus Defence and Space to fit 20 A400M aircraft with a Parallel Mission System.
The upgrade adds a mission computer, roll-on/roll-off workstations, an electro-optical sensor and ISR/command-and-control; installation starts in 2027, testing in 2028 and qualification by 2029.
The system will enable drone, bomb and missile launches from the cargo bay; France has received 25 of its 50-aircraft order and Airbus delivered 139 of 178 A400Ms worldwide.

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Story summary

The DGA contracted Airbus Defence and Space to fit 20 A400M aircraft with a Parallel Mission System.
The upgrade adds a mission computer, roll-on/roll-off workstations, an electro-optical sensor and ISR/command-and-control; installation starts in 2027, testing in 2028 and qualification by 2029.
The system will enable drone, bomb and missile launches from the cargo bay; France has received 25 of its 50-aircraft order and Airbus delivered 139 of 178 A400Ms worldwide.