epa04505954 A photo made available by the British Ministry of Defence (MOD) on 27 November 2014 shows an Airbus A400M Atlas aircraft approaching to land at Royal Air Force RAF Station Brize Norton, Britain, on 18 November 2014. The first of the UK’s Airbus A400M Atlas next-generation military transport aircraft has been officially unveiled on 27 November 2014 by the MOD at its new home at RAF Brize Norton. The aircraft will replace the existing fleet of C-130 Hercules which have been the tried and trusted workhorse of the RAF?s Air Transport Fleet for decades. Manufactured by Airbus Defence & Space, the A400M Atlas will represent major advances on its predecessor, capable of flying almost twice as fast, twice as far and carrying almost twice as much cargo. With a cargo capacity of 32 tonnes and a hold optimized for carriage of heavy vehicles, helicopters or cargo pallets, the aircraft is capable of supporting a wide range of operational scenarios, the MOD says. EPA/Paul Crouch/RAF/MOD/ HANDOUT MANDATORY DREDIT: CROWN DOPYRIGHT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES
