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LONDON (BNS): The Royal Air Force's next generation military transport aircraft has officially been named Atlas, the UK Ministry of Defence said.

The aircraft, which has until now been known as the A400M, will replace the RAF's existing C-130 Hercules fleet and, along with the Voyager and C-17, will provide the UK military's future air transport force.

The UK is buying 22 of the aircraft from Airbus Military, and the first Atlas is expected to be delivered to the RAF in 2014, it said.

Atlas can transport 32 tonnes of cargo over a range of 4,500km. It can move up to 116 paratroopers and large armoured vehicles such as Mastiffs as well as vast amounts of humanitarian and disaster relief. It can also fly its cargo into the centre of operations, supplying tactical forward bases or evacuating casualties or refugees.