Llanelli Star

Huge RAF plane lands on beach

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A HUGE RAF plane has landed on a West Wales beach.

The 120-tonne carrier plane landed on Pembrey Beach in Carmarthen­shire during tests.

Pilots from RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshir­e, have been testing the capability of the A400M Atlas plane in a number of runs on the vast beach.

Footage shows the massive carrier touching down on the beach and quickly taking off again.

The RAF said: “Beaches are routinely used by the RAF for training operations with other tactical airlifters.

“The A400M showcased its superb tactical capabiliti­es on natural surfaces by performing take-off, landing and taxiing manoeuvres.”

The Atlas can carry a 37-tonne payload to remote airfields, and can hold as many as 116 troops and a number of helicopter­s.

The plane has a gross weight of 120 tonnes and can carry 66 patients on stretchers.

It can reach around 485mph and has a range of around 2,000 miles.

To find more local stories, breaking news and updates, visit our website: walesonlin­e.co.uk/ llanelli

 ??  ?? The A400M Atlas landing at Pembrey
The A400M Atlas landing at Pembrey
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