Military transport plane's future now in doubt

An important EADS military transport plane has a cloudy future thanks to the company's managerial chaos and nosediving production.

Development of the A400M military transporter is now "under pressure," Agence France Presse reports. EADS plans to build 195 of the long-range, four-engine turboprop aircraft, which is designed to compete with the Lockheed C-130.

A French defense official said on October 3 that Paris expects no delay in A400M deliveries. However, the Financial Times reports on October 5 that Airbus CEO Christian Strieff admitted the A400M might suffer cost overruns or delays.

According to AFP, "comments from top [EADS] officials . . . called into question the future" of the A400M and the widebody A350.