Aircraft
Fifth A400M Flies; South African Settlement Reached
The last A400M development aircraft, MSN6, took off from Seville on December 20. (Photo: Airbus Military)
The last A400M development aircraft, MSN6, took off from Seville on December 20. (Photo: Airbus Military)

Airbus Military flew the fifth and last A400M development aircraft for the first time on December 20. This aircraft carries only a light load of flight-test instruments and will be used mainly for electromagnetic interference (EMI) testing, cold-weather trials, the proving of cargo loads and operational demonstrations. The company reports the A400M has now logged more than 2,500 of the 3,700 flight-test hours planned. An “aggressive” schedule is planned for 2012, so that first delivery can take place by early 2013.