After the first of the two ordered Airbus A321-251NX “Long Range” aircraft in Bundeswehr livery left the paint shop, the interior equipment with passenger seats and patient transport units is now beginning, as the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and Use (BAAINBw ) shared on Twitter.
In July 2020, BAAINBw ordered the two aircraft from Lufthansa Technik,ESUT reported. The contract stipulates that Lufthansa Technik will procure the machines as “green aircraft” and modify them according to the requirements of the Bundeswehr, add the equipment and equip them with military components. This includes, among other things, the delivery and installation of equipment elements for the transport of intensive care patients.
With the appropriate installations, the machines can be used in 18 different interior configurations.
Die Flugzeuge sind für den Transport von bis zu 163 Passagieren vorgesehen. Alternativ kann die Kabine für den Transport von bis zu sechs Intensivpatienten oder bis zu zwölf leicht oder mittelschwer Erkrankten oder Verletzten ausgestattet werden. Gemischte Konfigurationen sind ebenfalls einrüstbar.
The A321-251NX is part of Airbus' latest A321Neo variant, whose modern engine consumes 20 percent less fuel. This means that 900 km more range or two tons more payload can be achieved.
The two aircraft arrived at Lufthansa Technik in August and October 2020. The schedule calls for delivery of the machines in the first quarter of 2022. They will be integrated into the existing A320 fleet when the Federal Ministry of Defense is ready to fly and will be available for transporting passengers and for EvacOp.
According to a BAAINBw press release from July 2020, the experiences of recent years, and in particular the recent experiences with the Covid-19 pandemic, have shown the need for unrestricted national access to these capacities.
Gerhard Heiming
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