The Armee de I'Air and the RAF are cooperating closely on the A400M Atlas programme. The RAF is due to accept its first Atlas in late 2014/early 2015 and four personnel (an engineering officer, logistician and two technicians) are already busy familiarising themselves with the type. They will be joined shortly by a pilot and a loadmaster. This collaboration is beneficial to both air arms with the nations sharing their operational experience to improve their respective operating procedures as part of a global process to boost interoperability. The two-way cooperation has included an exchange programme and the MEST's deputy commander flying the C-130J with the RAF to gain invaluable experience of piloting a new generation glass-cockpit aircraft. The RAF has also invested in a cargo compartment simulator, to test loading procedures and train loadmasters, and France will have access to this equipment for its own needs. The RAF will receive 22 A400Ms.
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