UK hunts for A400M boat airdrop capability
A US MC-130J Commando II airdrops a Maritime Craft Aerial Delivery System (MCADS) over the Gulf of Mexico during a training exercise in 2015. (Photo: USAF/ Staff Sgt. Matthew Plew.)
The UK aims to create a new boat airdrop capability for its A400M fleet — it remains to be seen which branch or branches of the armed forces will adopt it.
The UK MoD is calling on industry to provide information on potential solutions to drop large boats from A400M transport aircraft by day or at night, anywhere in the world.
The requirement is for a system capable of launching boats between 8.5-12m long, 2.8-3.5m in the beam, up to 2.2m in height, and weighing 3,800-12,000kg.
In the past, boat airdrop capabilities have been known to have been used by special forces.
The MoD detailed its request in an RfI (last modified on 16 July), in which it stated: ‘The User requires the ability to airdrop - select boat types with
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Canada’s submarine availability under pressure as Chicoutimi is unlikely to return to front-line duties]()
Canada’s submarine availability under pressure as Chicoutimi is unlikely to return to front-line duties
HMCS Victoria and HMCS Windsor could return from their current deep maintenance, but unconfirmed operational timelines leave questions over patrol capacity before the first CPSP arrives.
-
![Patrol vessel demand and partnerships anchor North Africa’s naval market]()
Patrol vessel demand and partnerships anchor North Africa’s naval market
Fincantieri and Naval Group are positioning for long-term work in Egypt and Morocco as demand for local industrial partnerships grows.
-
![UK MoD faces ‘serious’ ASW gap as Defence Committee outlines Arctic requirements]()
UK MoD faces ‘serious’ ASW gap as Defence Committee outlines Arctic requirements
Anti-submarine warfare, uncrewed vessels and seabed monitoring top the demand list in the Defence Committee’s High North roadmap for the 2030s.
-
![Autonomy gives Turkey a chance to outflank established naval shipbuilders]()
Autonomy gives Turkey a chance to outflank established naval shipbuilders
Turkish shipbuilders have sold ships from Asia to Europe, but autonomy and swarm technology could give them a fairer fight against Western European rivals.
