A400M Testing on Track, with First Deliveries Set for 2012 | Aviation International News

A400M Testing on Track, with First Deliveries Set for 2012

The A400M enters a new phase of turbulence, with Germany looking to slash its purchase to 40 from 53 and France looking to renegotiate a maintenance.

The first of six A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transports is due for delivery to the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) later this month. Aircrews began conversion at Airbus Military’s Getafe, Madrid facility late last month. RSAF Col Al Burikan (right) and Lt. Al Majed (left) are two of the pilots being trained there over the next two months. Meanwhile, the UAE Air Force has also ordered three A330MRTTs, with deliveries due next year.

By David Donald • Contributor - UK

November 14, 2011

While the A400M program enters a new phase of turbulence, with Germany looking to slash its purchase to 40 from 53 and France looking to renegotiate a maintenance deal, the flight-test campaign is forging ahead with the aim of getting the European airlifter delivered by the end of 2012. The engine problems that surfaced earlier this year have been solved, clearing the path for European civil type certification to be achieved in the coming weeks.

By October 20 the four-aircraft A400M test fleet had flown 2,380 hours in 784 flights, with 1,653 takeoffs and landings. The aircraft had been flown by 60 pilots, including those from French, German, Turkish and UK air forces. Operating from the flight test centers at Sevilla and Toulouse, the aircraft are equipped with telemetry systems that allow specialists at other locations (Bremen, Filton, Getafe and Hamburg) to receive test data in real time.

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