Airbus Defence and Space delivered the first retrofitted tactical A400M to French Air Force on 9 January, announced by the French Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) procurement office. Reportedly, the company missed the deadline for six aircraft, comprising of three retrofits and three new aircraft, which were scheduled to be handed over in 2016. Retrofitted A400M’s will be capable of parachute drops, use relatively shorther runways, refueling fighter and transport aircraft, and being refueled.
211216-N-QI061-1222 NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (December 16, 2021) An MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), assigned to Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 (VUP-19), sits on the flight line at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, Dec. 16, 2021. VUP-19, the Navy’s first Triton squadron, will continue to maintain and operate the aircraft off the East Coast to further develop the concept of operations and refine tactics, techniques, and procedures. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan T. Beard/ Released)