The military plane was seen by a member of the Bolton News’ Camera Club over Anglezarke Reservoir near Chorley on Tuesday, March 11.
A RAF spokesperson said: “A single A400M Atlas from RAF Brize Norton, completed a routine currency sortie today around the Anglezarke area, which included a low level air drop.
“This type of training ensures our pilots continue to be ready for global operations.”
The Atlas C.1 A400M model is capable over carrying a 37-tonne payload over 2,000nm, and was spotted a long way from its base in Oxfordshire.
According to the RAF, the Atlas is capable of operating at altitudes up to 40,000ft but also “impressive” low-level capability.
The aircraft is based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and flies with four different squadrons.
These are the 206 Test and Evaluation Squadron, the 30 Squadron, the LXX Squadron and the XXIV Squadron.
The Atlas C.1 A400M aircraft was spotted over Anglezarke (Image: Dylan Harrison) Have a story? Get in touch at eoin.mccaul@newsquest.co.uk
The Atlas is designed for carrying paratroopers and can hold as many as 116 fully-equipped troops.
The RAF uses a variety of training areas around the whole of the UK for training and vary their routes and training locations for maximum training benefit.
This allows pilots to train in varied environments to prepare for operations across the world.
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The design of the Atlas was first proposed in February 1999 and accepted the following year.
The first model had its maiden flight on December 11, 2009.
The type is officially known as the Atlas but the term A400 is more commonly heard in use at its RAF Brize Norton base.
