A Royal Air Force A400M Atlas aircraft flies over RAF Brize Norton on 18th Nov 2014. The first of the UK’s A400M Atlas next-generation military transport aircraft was officially unveiled by the MOD at its new home at RAF Brize Norton in November 2014. 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, 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 optimised for carriage of heavy vehicles, helicopters or cargo pallets, the aircraft is capable of supporting a wide range of operational scenarios.