26 June 2008
First A400M military transporter rolled out

Airbus Military has today rolled out the first complete A400M military transport aircraft from the Final Assembly Line at the EADS Military Transport Aircraft Division (MTAD) facility in Seville, Spain.

Presented to the customers, the world’s press and presided over by His Majesty Juan-Carlos I, King of Spain, the new aircraft heralds a new era in military airlift capability.

Designed to a recognised requirement for a new airlifter for European air forces, the A400M incorporates state-of-the-art materials and technology that are being continuously perfected in today’s civil aircraft fleets. Features such as electronic flight controls, carbon composite structures and an automated handling system will bring new standards of operability and safety to military aircrews.

Launched under a single contract in 2003 with 180 orders for seven European launch customers, the A400M represents the most ambitious military procurement programme ever undertaken in Europe. The launch customer nations, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom were subsequently joined by Malaysia and the Republic of South Africa, which recognised the potential of the new airlifter for their own requirements and brought the total number of commitments to 192.

"Today is a great day for our industry," said Carlos Suarez, CEO of Airbus Military and Head of MTAD: "This is the result of the combined effort and determination of those that have been involved in this programme. It has been supported by the national governments - our customers, the industrial partners, the suppliers, and all the employees who have worked to produce the aircraft. I would like to thank and congratulate them all."

The overall contract, worth some 20 billion Euros was signed with a single interface between Airbus Military and OCCAR, (Organisation Conjointe de Cooperation en matière d’ARmement), the contractual body representing all seven European customer nations.

"It is our joint determination to show that EADS can design and manufacture a long-range transport aircraft which will set new standards in the military airlift world and on the international markets", said Louis Gallois, CEO of EADS

Versatility is the characteristic that best describes the A400M, it being conceived with both tactical and strategic capability. With a payload of up to 37 tonnes over ranges of up to 4700 nm, the A400M is designed to carry all loads and vehicles in the European Staff Requirement (ESR) inventory, serve as an aerial delivery platform and act as an in-flight refueller for both fast jets and helicopters.

Important challenges are still ahead, like the engine first flight on the FTB within the engine flight test programme or the MSN001 first flight.

The A400M is the first truly new military transport aircraft of its category designed in over 30 years, with twice the capacity and twice the payload of the current aircraft types that it will replace. It is all set to become the new standard in military airlift.

13 June 2008
A400M MSN 001 gets its propellers.

Early June has been a busy time on the A400M programme. While the TP400 engine was being ground-run at Marshall’s facilities in the UK, the first production aircraft, A400M MSN 001, has had its propellers fitted at the Final Assembly Line in Seville. All four of the huge Ratier-Figeac / Hamilton Sundstrand propellers have now been integrated with the engines on the wings of a/c No 001.

Measuring 5.3 metres (17.5 feet) in diameter, the eight-bladed propellers manufactured in France from woven composite material are amongst the largest of such in the world.

The state-of-the-art scimitar-shaped blades, in handed pairs turning in opposite directions on each wing, will drive the A400M at cruise speeds of up to 430 knots. This puts the A400M in the class of the fastest turboprops allowing speeds and climb performance similar to turbofan-powered aircraft. The A400M’s engine/propeller rotation configuration is described as ”Down Between Engines” and provides numerous advantages in terms of aerodynamic efficiency and structural design.

13 June 2008
Ground runs commence for TP-400 engine flying test bed.

The second week of June saw the first ground run of the A400M’s TP-400 engine fitted to the Marshall-owned C-130 Hercules Flying Test Bed (FTB). After overcoming some technical difficulties due to unforeseen integration problems, the 10,000 shaft horsepower engine was run up for the first time in Cambridge, UK on June 10th.

Although not part of the contractual obligations, the FTB programme has been devised by Airbus Military as a risk mitigation exercise within the overall engine development programme.

Marshall Aerospace, with whom the contract for the FTB programme has been placed, has made extensive modifications to their C-130 in order to accommodate what is the most powerful turboprop engine yet produced in western Europe.

These modifications concern both the airframe and systems and include considerable revision of the Aircraft Operating Instructions and the Aircrew Manuals to encompass the procedures for operating the aircraft with two different engine and propeller types simultaneously.

The ground runs will enable engineers to test and measure engine start, nacelle ventilation, intake distortion, and engine noise and vibration levels. The results will also serve to clear the new Ratier-Figeac / Hamilton Sundstrand propeller for flight.

03 June 2008
44,000 horsepower on board

All four TP400-D6 engines have now been installed on the wing of A400M MSN 001. The work was completed at the end of week 20 at “Station 35” of the Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Seville, where the first A400M is being readied for its roll out in front of an international public towards the end of June this year.

Engine installation is followed by the mounting of the four huge, eight-bladed Ratier Figeac propellers, which, together with the 11,000 shaft horsepower of each engine, make up the power plant combination that will provide the driving force of the A400M.

The four 5.3 metre diameter propellers driven by the combined 44,000 shp of the engines will enable the A400M to attain cruising speeds of up to 430kts (true airspeed). This is an outstanding performance for a turbo-prop, which compares favourably with that of some turbo-jet powered aircraft.

29 March 2008
Static test programme begins on aircraft MSN 5000.

On March 12 th this year the rigorous static test programme began on “Aircraft 5000”, the A400M static test specimen installed at the test facility in Getafe, near Madrid. Data is now being processed after a period of intensive work installing the hydraulic actuators and the sophisticated control and measuring systems.

Loads will be applied to the airframe by means of 125 hydraulic jacks, which will severely test the structural resistance and fatigue characteristics of the new airlifter. The stresses applied to the structure under load will be measured by 6000 strain gauges and the data fed for analysis by purpose-built computer programmes via 21 kilometres of cable.

Around 30% of the A400M airframe consists of carbon fibre, including the wing main spar. This is a “first” for a large transport aircraft and particular attention will be paid to the performance of the materials used.

The tests are designed to demonstrate the limit loads, the maximum anticipated loads that the aircraft is expected to experience in service, and then to explore the ultimate loads, which represent one-and-half times the limit loads.

Finally, the tests will continue to the point of rupture of certain structural elements thus providing data on the design margins.

04 January 2008
A400M MSN 001 out of jigs.

As an auspicious start to the New Year in Seville the first complete A400M airframe was removed from the assembly jigs at the FAL on January 2nd and towed to an adjacent development hangar, where work will commence on strain gauge calibration tests prior to further preparation for systems ground tests.

30 November 2007
A400M development engine installed on flying test bed.

Delivered to the Marshall Aerospace facility in Cambridge by Europrop International on November 19th, a TP400 development engine was installed on the wing of a converted C-130 Hercules aircraft on December 3rd. The aircraft, with the outsized engine mounted in place of the C-130’s inner port engine, is being readied by Marshall for flight tests that are due to begin in the spring of 2008.

Based on their considerable experience of specialist aircraft conversion, Marshall was awarded the contract for installing and operating the A400M engine Flying Test Bed in December 2004. In addition to systems installation, considerable structural modification was needed to strengthen the C-130 airframe in order to absorb the massive torque of the 11,000 shaft horsepower engine and its 5.5 metre diameter propeller.

30 November 2007
A400M 001 takes wing...

With all electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic and fuel systems completed and the four engine pylons installed, the complete 42 metre-long carbon composite wing has now been joined to the A400M’s fuselage. This delicate manoeuvre consists of accurately aligning the wing above the aircraft's centre section before completing the integration process.

An innovative aircraft requires innovative production processes and the tooling designed to assemble the A400M includes a specially-designed vacuum lifting system that raises the entire wing to suspend it above the fuselage prior to lowering it into position, where it is fixed to the twelve attachment points by means of lugs and pins. The whole process takes approximately five days to complete.

While still at "Station 40", the complete empennage, consisting of the assembled horizontal and vertical tail surfaces, is integrated with the rear fuselage and the landing gear doors are installed. With MSN 001 now structurally complete, work continues on the aircraft’s systems with "power on", the availability of full systems functionality by early 2008.

28 August 2007
Final assembly of first production A400M begins in Seville

Closely following the assembly in July of the complete static test airframe in the static test facility in Getafe, near Madrid, assembly of the first A400M production aircraft, MSN 001*, has now begun in Seville.

With the main fuselage barrel and the nose fuselage section already in the jig at the final assembly line (FAL) site at San Pablo, Seville, and the wings and tail surfaces in situ, series production of the new airlifter can now be considered as having formally begun.

The first five aircraft to leave the FAL will be destined for the flight test programme and production at San Pablo will gradually increase to around thirty aircraft per year.

* MSN - Manufacturer’s Serial Number

02 August 2007
A400M "Aircraft Zero" presented to customer

The A400M Systems Simulator, designated "Aircraft Zero", was presented to the customers by means of a fully functional demonstration at the end of July this year.

"Aircraft Zero" is a complex facility enabling real-time integration and testing of the hydraulic, electrical generation and distribution systems as well as validation of the flight control systems.

Comprising the "Iron Bird", a full-sized test bench totally representative of the complete aircraft coupled to an Integration Simulator with a real cockpit, "Aircraft Zero" plays a vital r ôle in validating installation processes, undertaking certification endurance tests, verifying systems integration and proving aircraft functions.

Ultimately, evaluation of the results from the Systems Simulator will determine authorisation of first flight.

The systems simulation facility will remain operational throughout the life of the aircraft and is an important element in the qualification process. It will also be used to establish pilot training procedures.

Completed well ahead of schedule, the "Iron Bird" and Integration Simulator have been operational since April 2007 and "Aircraft Zero" went into service in mid June.

12 July 2007
Carlos Suárez confirmed as Managing Director of Airbus Military

Following his recent appointment as Head of EADS Military Transport Aircraft Division, (EADS-MTAD), Carlos Suárez-Pérez has been confirmed in the position of Managing Director of Airbus Military SL, (AMSL), by the Board of Directors.

Carlos Suárez also holds the position of Chairman of EADS-CASA and is a member of the EADS Executive Committee.

An accomplished engineer who has held various positions in the Spanish aerospace company, CASA, Carlos Suárez was, until July 1 st, responsible for the management of all Airbus military derivative platforms. He will bring his considerable experience to bear on the A400M as the programme moves into the all-important production phase.

11 April 2007
First complete wing set delivered to A400M Final Assembly Line

The first compete set of A400M wings was today delivered from Airbus UK’s Filton production facility to the Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Seville, Spain. Transported by the Beluga Super Transport, the wing set, consisting of the left and right outer wing boxes, will join the centre wing box that was delivered to Seville in March.

Largely made out of carbon fibre reinforced plastic material (CRFP), the centre and outer wing boxes will be joined together at the FAL to form a complete wing structure having a span of 42.4 metres. This first A400M wing is destined for integration into the static test airframe which is currently undergoing completion at the static test facility in Getafe, Madrid, and will be transported there from Seville by road.

Other major sub-assemblies have already been delivered to Seville where final assembly of the first test aircraft will begin during the first half of this year with first flight scheduled for the first quarter of 2008. To date Airbus Military has received firm orders for 192 aircraft from nine customer nations.

17 March 2007
First A400M fuselage delivery

The first A400M fuselage was delivered to Getafe on March 17th, 2007 for integration with the Nose fuselage, wings and empennage into a complete aircraft designated "A/C 5000". The static test programme, lasting over a year, is extremely rigorous and is designed to discover the mechanical properties and structural limits of the aircraft prior to certification. In order to achieve this A/C 5000 will, eventually, be tested to destruction.

The first complete fuselage barrel is the largest Airbus structures yet carried by the Beluga aircraft. Four more A400M fuselages are in series production at the Integrated Fuselage Assembly facility (IFA) in Bremen and are currently being equipped before delivery to the FAL. The fuselage barrels will be delivered complete with internal systems as well as their cargo ramps and rear doors.

16 March 2007
Out in front

On February 20th the first complete nose fuselage section of the A400M was delivered from Saint-Nazaire in France to the Getafe test facility in Madrid. This major sub-assembly was transported by a Beluga Super Transport which first flew to Seville with its cargo to undertake manoeuvring and unloading trials at the Final Assembly Line (FAL). Equipped with all hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical systems and fitted with strain gauges, the nose fuselage section is the first element of a complete airframe destined for use in the static test programme.

The main fuselage barrel, wings and empennage will shortly arrive for integration at Getafe into a complete aircraft designated "A/C 5000". The static test programme, lasting over a year, is extremely rigorous and is designed to discover the mechanical properties and structural limits of the aircraft prior to certification. In order to achieve this A/C 5000 will, eventually, be tested to destruction.

20 December 2006
First A400M Tail Plane to the Final Assembly Line

Seville, December 20, 2006 - The delivery of the first A400M Horizontal Tail Plane took place today at the A400M final assembly line located in the EADS CASA San Pablo facility, Seville

The Horizontal Tail Plane was transported from the EADS CASA facilities in Tablada, where it is produced using the most advanced jig systems, tooling and assembly processes, to the structural test facilities of the Final Assembly Line, where it will undergo a series of tests before being installed on the first aircraft.

Today’s event represents an important milestone in the A400M programme since the Horizontal Tail Plane is the first A400M component delivered to Seville where assembly, integration, and flight testing of aircraft will take place. This is a further demonstration that the A400M programme is continuing to fully meet its targets.

This major sub-assembly is constructed mainly of Carbon Fibre Composite Material and incorporates the most advanced materials, technologies and manufacturing processes resulting from the vast experience of EADS CASA in developing stabilizers. It has been designed and manufactured by EADS CASA in collaboration with Airbus Spain and a number of other industrial partners including CTRM, Airbus Military’s programme partner in Malaysia.

26 September 2006
First delivery of A400M Nose fuselage

The nose section of the first A400M left the Airbus France Méaulte site, where it is manufactured, for delivery to the Saint-Nazaire plant where equipment (hydraulic, electrical, systems, avionics and commercial furnishing) will be installed.

The design and assembly of the nose section of the very first A400M has benefited from the industrial processes and technologies already developed and used by Airbus on its civil aircraft programmes.

In industrial terms, production of this part of the aircraft requires a perfect mastery of the technologies associated with the machining and assembly of complex parts, with high-level requirements in terms of aerodynamics, sealing, and material strength.

The Méaulte plant assembles all the Airbus nose sections and has developed innovative technologies and industrial processes such as high- speed machining and flexible workshops for automatic riveting, nose section assembly by spatial positioning and assembly of the lower fuselage sections.

The delivery of the fully equipped first A400M Nose fuselage to the Final Assembly Line in Seville will happen at the beginning of 2007 with final assemby starting swiftly after.

22 September 2006
Airbus Military successfully passes critical milestone

Airbus Military has today successfully achieved the sixth contractual milestone of the A400M programme.

"Milestone Six", which involves the acceptance by the customer of theClass Two A400M Cockpit Mock-up is particularly significant since it is designated as one of the six "Critical Milestones" whereby the programme as a whole may be rejected by the customer on the grounds of non-compliance.

Other critical milestones include the start of final production, the first flight and certification and delivery of the first aircraft to a customer.

The Class Two Mock-up is an exact replica of the aircraft's operational cockpit and is, essentially, a full-scale laboratory designed to test and verify a number of important parameters in the overall cockpit environment.

Using the new facility, a comprehensive programme will be undertaken to validate the detailed design and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the man-machine interface, ensuring that vital information is correctly perceived by the flight crew and that vital actions can be efficiently carried out by them.

Parameters to be studied include crew comfort and mobility, ergonomics, field of vision inside and outside the cockpit, ventilation, access and egress, and the viability of equipment / structure interfaces.

Some of the most important tests to be carried out in the Class Two Cockpit Mock-up are those designed to verify the interior light levels of the cockpit under all conditions as well as night vision compatibility for the flight crew, especially when using Night Vision Goggles (NVG).

In order to demonstrate that all objectives were fully reached and the milestone achieved, a formal presentation of the cockpit mock-up was made to customer representatives from OCCAR*, on September 20th at the Blagnac site of Airbus France.

"I am very pleased that Airbus Military has successfully completed, according to schedule, this important milestone that highlights the excellent cockpit design." said Olivier Etchevers, the A400M Programme Manager at OCCAR. Richard Thompson, Senior Vice President Commercial Airbus Military, added "Today's achievement, once again, demonstrates that the A400M programme is running according to schedule and underlines the effectiveness of manufacturer and customer working together towards a common goal".

The Class Two Mock-up was, in fact, completed ahead of schedule and has been in use since the spring of this year.

*OCCAR, 'Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d'Armement' is the European procurement agency acting as a single interface between the manufacturer and the national customers.

25 July 2006
Start of first A400M wing assembly

On Thursday 20th July, final assembly of the first set of wings for the first A400M military transport aircraft began at the Filton plant of Airbus UK. This milestone in the A400M programme represents a major step in both the A400M programme and Airbus wing technology as A400M features the first-ever composite (carbon fibre reinforced plastic, CFRP) wingbox for an Airbus-built aircraft and the largest composite wing ever made.

The wing box consists of pre-assembled leading and trailing edges made of composite spars, metallic ribs and 20 metre-long composite wing skins which incorporate integrated stringers (longitudinal stiffeners). These components all commenced final assembly in a dedicated facility at Filton . The facility is equipped with new, state-of-the-art, jigs and tools - including automated machinery such as the purpose-built Composite Automated Wing Drilling Equipment (CAWDE).

After final assembly of the whole wingbox, each wing will be fully equipped with hydraulic, pneumatic, fuel and electrical systems and fitted with moving surfaces before delivery to the final assembly line in Seville, Spain. The first six sets of aircraft wings and the fatigue and static test wings will also be specially equipped with additional instrumentation and other equipment for flight test and ground testing the whole aircraft in due course. The first wing deliveries to the final assembly line are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2007.

24 July 2006
First fuselage assembly for A400M

A ceremony held today in Bremen, Germany, launched the beginning of the Integrated Fuselage Assembly (IFA) process for the first A400M airlifter.

The start of IFA also marks the commissioning of the brand new facility at the Airbus Deutscheland manufacturing site in Bremen.

Representing a 95 million euro investment, the 10,600 sq m assembly plant is capable of producing a complete A400M fuselage, excluding the nose section, in eight working days.

The 32 m -long fuselage assembly, made up of four major elements delivered from facilities in Germany, South Africa and Turkey, is joined together using state-of-the-art semi-automatic riveting machines.

The complete process also includes the installation of electrical, hydraulic and air-conditioning systems as well as the cargo door, cargo loading ramp and the cargo handling system. Some cabin linings, insulation and seats will also be installed in Bremen before the complete assembly is transported to the A400M Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Seville, Spain.

7 June 2006
A400M First South African components of new Airbus A400M military transport arrive in Germany

The first set of South African-manufactured aircraft parts for the Airbus A400M military transport aircraft were delivered to Germany yesterday for incorporation into the fuselage of the first aircraft.

Denel Aviation of Kempton Park, Johannesburg, completed the first set of fuselage top shells (roof sections) last week. Denel is a major industrial partner in the multi-national A400M programme, which South Africa joined last year.

The 15-year top-shell manufacturing contract is worth €20million (about R160 million) and currently accounts for between 80,000 and 90,000 man-hours annually. It follows an earlier contract for the design of the top-shells. Each of the 6sq/m top-shells weighs about 100kg and is made from advanced aluminium alloy formed using special 5- and 3-axis machines. As part of the infrastructure for the A400M work Denel has invested in new long-bed machines and a special treatment facility. The top-shells are a vital part of the “roof” of the aircraft, in front and behind the area where the wing is joined to the fuselage.

Denel is also responsible for the design engineering and manufacture of several other elements of the aircraft, the largest of which is the carbon composite wing-fuselage fairing. “Today is a proud moment for Denel and South Africa,” said Shaun Liebenberg, CEO, Denel. “Delivery of this first South African-produced element of the A400M marks the opening of an entirely new and exciting chapter in the evolution of Denel Aviation and which positions South Africa’s aerospace industry on a clear, sustainable growth path,” he added.

Through its stake in the aircraft programme, South Africa’s industry will participate in the design, engineering, industrialisation, manufacture and in-service support of the A400M – the world’s most modern military transport aircraft. “The delivery, on time and to specification of the first top-shells, confirms the confidence we place in South Africa and our industrial partners, Denel and Aerosud,” affirmed Francisco Fernández-Sáinz, Managing Director of Airbus Military.

Denel and Aerosud’s participation in the A400M underpins the South African Government’s new aerospace strategy which is characterised by a move away from prime contracting and a focus on niche engineering, design, manufacturing and development services for aerostructures and aircraft systems. It also confirms the objective of gaining access to the global supply chain. As an Airbus Military A400M partner, South Africa has secured a vital and sustainable role for its industry over the next 30 – 50 years as a provider of engineering and manufacturing services as well as customer support for aircraft in service. South Africa will also acquire eight A400Ms from 2010, bolstering its strategic airlift capabilities and enabling it to support national, regional and multi-national peace and humanitarian missions.

The A400M order book currently stands at 192 firm commitments, including the seven European NATO launch customer nations, South Africa and Malaysia. The aircraft will first fly in 2008 with deliveries beginning in 2009. The new airlifter will enable air forces around the world to upgrade their airlift capability for both humanitarian and peace-keeping activities.

Focus on South Africa & the A400M programme

28 February 2006
A400M Programme reaches most important milestone yet

Airbus Military has today achieved its fifth contractual milestone on schedule with the successful demonstration run of the First Engine with Propeller for the A400M military airlifter.

The demonstration to the customer, which took place at the Snecma engine test facility at Istres in southern France under the technical responsibility of the engine and propeller suppliers, Europrop International (EPI) and Ratier-Figeac respectively, was the most spectacular event yet in the on-going A400M aircraft development programme.

The powerplant consists of EPI’s TP400-D6 engine fitted with Ratier-Figeac’s
FH386 propeller. The three-shaft, high-performance gas turbine engine and the 5.3 metre diameter, eight-bladed, composite propeller, give a combined power output of some 11,000 shaft-horsepower. The TP400-D6 / FH386 combination constitutes the most powerful turboprop power plant in the western world and will enable the A400M to attain cruising speeds and altitudes equivalent to today’s jet powered aircraft.

The choice of a turboprop engine design to power the A400M was made on the basis of providing optimum performance and fuel economy across the wide spectrum of operational tasks that the aircraft will be required to carry out. These range from low speed, low altitude aerial delivery to high speed, high altitude refuelling of fast jets whilst retaining the capability for autonomous ground manoeuvres as well as fast, intercontinental logistic deployment.

The A400M programme was launched in May 2003 with a single order for 180 aircraft for seven European NATO nations. South Africa joined the programme in April 2005 with an order for eight aircraft and Malaysia followed in December 2005 by ordering four aircraft, bringing the total order book to date to 192. The A400M will first fly in early 2008 with deliveries beginning in 2009.

Europrop International GmbH is a consortium of European engine manufacturers comprising ITP, MTU Aero Engines, Rolls-Royce and Snecma, who are jointly developing the TP400-D6 engine for the A400M. Ratier-Figeac, the French propeller and control equipment manufacturer, is a business unit of Hamilton Sundstrand. A video of the test can be found at: http://www.masterimage.fr/prods/airbusmilitary

08 December 2005
Malaysia joins A400M programme

The Malaysian government has today signed a contract for the purchase from Airbus Military of four A400M military airlifters.

The contract, signed in Langkawi by Malaysia’s Secretary General for Defence, Tan Sri Subhan Jasmon brings the number of firm orders for A400M to 192 aircraft.

The Malaysian decision further confirms the confidence placed in the A400M programme from countries outside the existing group of seven European launch nations.

The agreement provides for Malaysia to become a programme partner in the A400M. To this effect, Malaysian industry will receive high-technology work packages, worth initially one billion Ringgits, (about 200 million Euros), considerably enhancing Malaysian aerospace technology and capabilities. Malaysian contractors will initially design, and then manufacture airframe components for all A400M aircraft to be delivered worldwide. Thus Malaysia becomes another key participant throughout the life of the programme that is anticipated to thrive for at least fifty years, bringing work to Malaysia worth well over two billion Ringgits, (400 million Euros).

"Malaysia is a valued and long-standing customer for Airbus civil aircraft," said Francisco Fernández-Sáinz, Managing Director of Airbus Military "The A400M decision has opened up major new opportunities for partnership in the military sector and will substantially enhance the enduring relationship with the Malaysian Government and industry."

The A400M will enable the Royal Malaysian Air Force to upgrade its airlift capability for both humanitarian and peace-keeping activities.

The A400M, 180 examples of which were ordered in May 2003 by seven European NATO nations, with a further eight ordered by South Africa in April 2005, will first fly in 2008 with deliveries beginning in 2009.

The first Malaysian aircraft will be delivered to the Air Force in 2013.

02 December 2005
Ratier-Figeac delivers first A400M propellor

The first Ratier FH 386 propeller for the A400M was formally handed over to Airbus Military on December 2nd 2005 in a ceremony held at the propeller manufacturer's facility in Figeac, south-west France.

Ratier-Figeac, a division of Hamilton Standard, was awarded the propeller contract by Airbus Military in June 2003, shortly after the launch of the A400M programme.

The eight-bladed, composite propeller is one of the largest in the world, with a diametre of 5,34 metres (17,5 feet). A state-of-the-art design specially conceived to handle the high power output of the A400M's 11,000 shaft horsepower engines.

The A400M propeller was delivered on time and on spec to the Head of Airbus Military's Power plant ACMT (Aircraft Component Management Team) and will now be forwarded to the engine manufacturer, Europrop International, for integration with the TP400-D6 engine prior to a full engine/propeller power plant run early in 2006.