France has contracted Airbus Defence and Space, via OCCAR and the DGA, to give the A400M a Parallel Mission System that pushes the airlifter into ISR and airborne command-and-control roles.
The package adds a mission system in the cargo hold, tactical situational awareness consoles, and an optronic sensor, with architecture for extra sensors, communications gear, and control of drones and missiles launched from the bay. Airbus plans first installation on a French aircraft in 2027, followed by flight testing in 2028 and fleet retrofits after that. The move turns the A400M into a multi-role node for battlefield coordination, not just lift.
For operators, that widens mission utility without waiting for dedicated ISR platforms.