|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Press Centre
11 April 2007 28 February 2006 08 December 2005 02 December
2005 18 July 2005 26 January 2005 15 December 2004 15 October 2003 27 May 2003 06 May 2003 18 December 2001 19 June 2001
9 June 2000 17 May 2000
27 April 2006 A Reuters news agency report filed yesterday, 26th April 2007, quoted an official of the Zodiac company, a supplier to the A400M programme, as confirming a three-month delay to the aircraft’s production schedule, with a further twelve months’ delay being probable. In early March this year, during the EADS Financial Results Briefing to the press, the company’s CEOs announced the decision to postpone the formal start of the A400M final assembly process by up to three months. This decision was taken as a risk-mitigation measure following an extensive internal review of the programme undertaken in December 2006. This re-adjustment to the production programme has been undertaken in order to ensure optimum flow-through of assemblies and sub-assemblies to the Final Assembly Line in Seville. The customers were duly informed of the decision and are satisfied that the measures will not affect the aircraft delivery schedule. It is categorically denied that a further twelve months’ delay is or has been contemplated and any such comments by outside parties are speculative and without foundation. The A400M production process has in fact started with major sub-assemblies in series production and being delivered. The first complete airframe is currently being assembled at the EADS-MTA test facility in Getafe where it will begin the rigorous programme of static tests to be undertaken before the aircraft’s first flight. 27 April 2007
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. 11 April 2007
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 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 28 February 2006
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. 08 December 2005
02
December 2005
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 DOI, signed on July 15th at the Chilean Ministry of Defence in Santiago by General Osvaldo Sarabia Vilches, Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Air Force, and Francisco Fernández-Sáinz, Managing Director of Airbus Military, is a further commitment for the A400M from a customer outside the group of seven European launch nations. Subject to a detailed contract to be signed by December 2005, the declaration provides for Chile to take delivery of A400M aircraft between 2018 and 2022 and for Chilean industry to benefit from aerospace related industrial participation. “I very much welcome this declaration by the Chilean Air Force,” said Francisco Fernández-Sáinz during the signature ceremony, “which strengthens our relationship with this important Latin American customer and demonstrates the growing confidence around the world in our new aircraft.” The signature took place in the presence of the Chilean Minister of Defence, Snr.Jaime Ravinet De la Fuente, and the ambassadors of France, Germany, Spain and the UK. The A400M will enable Chile to upgrade its airlift capability for military, humanitarian and peace-keeping activities and assist the country in strengthening its aerospace industry. The A400M programme, was launched in May 2003 following a single order for 180 aircraft by seven European NATO nations. The A400M, the world’s most modern military transport aircraft will first fly in 2008 with deliveries beginning from 2009. 18 July 2005
26 January 2005
“The event took place at a ceremony held in the Varel facility of Airbus Germany, where representatives of the seven launch customer nations joined government officials and members of the Airbus Military management team to witness the milling of the first lower fuselage frame. One of eighteen such frames located in the centre fuselage section that will support the floor and carry the main fuselage structure, the 5.4 metre long element is milled from a single aluminium billet. Starting with a raw material mass of over two tonnes, the finished frame will weigh only 25 kg. 100% of the machined waste will be re-cycled. The first metal cut for the A400M comes only 18 months after the programme launch, in May 2003, demonstrating that the rigorous timetable established for the new airlifter is being strictly respected. The lower fuselage frames are classified as long-lead items, hence the early start to manufacturing. They represent the beginning of a rapidly increasing industrial process, which will see more and more components put into production as work on their detailed design is completed. “This truly marks the start of the A400M production phase”, said Adolfo Revuelta, Head of A400M Programme. “ We are proud to be able to demonstrate both to our customers and to the world that the well-proven Airbus industrial methodology is being successfully applied to our military programme.” The A400M programme was launched in May 2003 when 180 A400M airlifters were ordered by seven European NATO nations: 60 for Germany; 50 for France; 27 for Spain; 25 for the UK; 10 for Turkey; 7 for Belgium and 1 for Luxemburg. The A400M will first fly in 2008 with first deliveries beginning from 2009.
26 January 2005
The DOI, signed in Pretoria by South Africa’s Minister of Defence, Mr. Mosiuoa Gerard P. Lekota and Francisco Fernández-Sáinz, Managing Director of Airbus Military, is the first commitment for the A400M from a country outside the existing group of seven European launch nations. Subject to a detailed contract to be signed early next year, the agreement provides for South Africa to become a programme partner in the A400M. To this effect, South African industry will receive high-value work packages from Airbus Military and thus become a key participant throughout the life of the programme. “We are most honoured by this demonstration of confidence,” said Francisco Fernández-Sáinz during the signature ceremony. “We believe this to be a win-win situation for all concerned. Airbus Military will gain a valued partner and South Africa will benefit not only from a new and highly capable airlifter for the Defence Force but from the thousands of jobs that will be created during the life of the programme.” The A400M will enable South Africa to upgrade its airlift capability for both humanitarian and peace-keeping activities and assist the country in strengthening its aeronautical industry. The A400M, 180 examples of which were ordered in May 2003 by seven European
NATO nations, will first fly in 2008 with deliveries beginning from 2009. 15 December 2004
As the first of a number of such milestones highlighting significant stages of the programme up to and beyond aircraft delivery, the Quality Plan provides the yardstick by which the programme will be measured. The Quality Plan is a primary requirement of the contract and covers all aspects of the programme from the control and monitoring of design standards to software conformity and sub-contractor management. Management of and adherence to the Plan is the key element that will keep the programme on track in terms of time and cost. The A400M Quality Plan was delivered to OCCAR on August 29, 2003, three months after contract signature. The terms and conditions of the contract provide for a period of two months from the date of its delivery for the customer to examine and accept or reject the Plan. The high standard of the work presented for the A400M was such that OCCAR had no difficulty in accepting it within only six weeks. “The confidence resulting from the frank and open relationship with the customer has enabled us to work faster than we had imagined,” stated Patrick Chanet, Airbus Military Head of Quality; “today there are no open items or unresolved issues for the development phase ahead of us and we are already at 2004 status.” Such an achievement is a tribute to the exacting standards of quality inherent in the Airbus organisation and the result of close cooperation between Airbus Military and OCCAR, supported by the numerous working groups from the individual customer nations. “Such exemplary results are a tribute to the hard work by all concerned that has gone into the formulation of the A400M Quality Plan”, said Wolfgang Bruehmann, Head of the OCCAR Programme Division in Toulouse, at a ceremony today marking the event. “I am convinced that this is an indication of the way in which this pioneering programme will continue.” OCCAR, is the international body representing the customer nations and providing the contractual interface with Airbus Military. The contract for 180 A400M airlifters was signed on May 27, this year between Airbus Military and OCCAR, representing Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Airbus Military is also in discussion with other major air forces that have expressed interest in the new-generation airlifter. The first flight of the A400M will take place in early 2008. 15 October 2003
The most ambitious European military procurement programme ever undertaken was launched today with the signature of the contract for the purchase of 180 A400M military transport aircraft. The future military airlifter, chosen by seven European NATO nations to equip their air forces, is now a reality. Today's announcement signals the start of a seventy-seven month, single-phase development and production programme leading to first deliveries from 2009. The contract was signed in Bonn, Germany between Airbus Military and OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en Matière d’Armement), the procurement organisation representing the launch customers. Representing a twenty-year programme for the European military aircraft industry, the A400M contract provides for a total of 180 aircraft to be delivered to the launch customers as follows: Belgium, 7; France, 50; Germany, 60; Luxembourg, 1; Spain, 27; Turkey, 10; United Kingdom, 25. At the same time, the Airbus subsidiary responsible for the management of the A400M military airlifter has been established. Responsibility for the A400M programme is vested in Airbus Military SL (Sociedad Limitada), a Spanish legal entity registered in Madrid and having as its shareholders the industrial partners representing the launch customer nations. Noël Forgeard, Airbus President and CEO, is elected Chairman of the Board and Francisco Fernández-Sáinz, Managing Director. Designed specifically to meet the demanding conditions of the European Staff Requirement, (ESR), the A400M will provide the world's air forces with a much-needed replacement for the ageing fleets of C-160 Transalls and C-130 Hercules and provide the rapid reaction capability that is essential in responding to crisis situations. With its high cruise speed, intercontinental range and voluminous cargo hold, the A400M will significantly increase the load-carrying capacity of the aircraft it will replace, whilst retaining their essential tactical, short and soft field operating characteristics. The A400M's first flight will take place in 2008 from the final assembly facility to be established in Seville. The choice by Europe's air forces of a common aircraft type will also enhance interoperability in multi-national peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in the context of NATO and the United Nations. Airbus Military is already in discussion with other major air forces that have expressed interest in this new-generation airlifter. 27 May 2003
Following a full and thorough evaluation of the engine manufacturers' proposals, Airbus Military has today announced that the engine selected to power the A400M will be the TP400-D6, to be developed and manufactured by EPI (EuroProp International), a European consortium. The chosen engine, offered in response to a second RFP (Request for Proposal) issued by Airbus Military in April 2002, is an entirely new design in the ten thousand horsepower category, based on proven technology and incorporating three-shaft civil aero engine architecture. The TP400-D6 fully meets the required specification. Today's choice of the TP400-D6 is the result of an exhaustive evaluation of two separate engine proposals submitted by Pratt & Whitney Canada and EPI. EPI is a European joint venture company consisting of Rolls-Royce, Snecma Moteurs, MTU Aero Engines and Industria de Turbopropulsores (ITP), brought together to manage the programme. "The satisfactory outcome of what has been a complex and demanding evaluation process shows that re-opening the engine competition was the right course of action," said Noel Forgeard, President and CEO of Airbus and Chairman of Airbus Military. "Only by insisting on the highest standards can we guarantee the best solution both technically and commercially." He added: "I would like to thank both engine manufacturers for their hard work and publicly acknowledge in particular the professionalism and commitment of Pratt & Whitney, that contribute already through its engines to several Airbus civil aircraft programmes. The TP400-D6 will be the most powerful turbo-prop engine ever produced in the western world and, combined with the aircraft's aerodynamic qualities, will make the A400M the world's fastest new-generation turbo-prop aircraft. Commitments for 180 A400M military transport aircraft have been received from seven launch customer nations: Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Contract ratification is expected within the next few weeks leading to first deliveries in 2009. 06 May 2003
In a landmark event in the history of defence procurement, eight European nations committed today to purchase a total of 196 Airbus Military A400M transport aircraft. The final contract was signed in Brussels between Airbus Military SAS and OCCAR, (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en Matière d'Armement), representing the customer nations. Worth some 18 billion Euros, the A400M contract is the biggest yet handled through this organisation and the most far-reaching in terms of the number of nations participating.
Alberto Fernandez, CEO of Airbus Military, and Dr. Klaus von Sperber, Director of the OCCAR Executive Agency, signing the A400M contract in front of the Ministers of Defence of the customer nations The single procurement contract for all 196 aircraft was signed by Dr. Klaus von Sperber, Director of OCCAR Executive Agency, on behalf of the launch customer nations, (Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom), and Alberto Fernandez, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Military. The signature ceremony took place in an extra-ordinary session during a scheduled meeting of European NATO Defence Ministers, in the company of senior executives from the industrial participants. "This is the day we have all been waiting for," said Alberto Fernandez. "We have watched the steady progress towards the final goal with satisfaction and all concerned should feel a sense of personal pride in this great achievement. We are witnessing today the birth of what will become a formidable new military airlifter, the fruit of a close partnership between European air forces and aircraft manufacturers. The A400M marks the beginning of a new era in military air transport capability." Noel Forgeard, Airbus Chief Executive Officer, also expressed his satisfaction at seeing the A400M contract completed. "The A400M programme is a significant addition to the ever-increasing range of Airbus activities and one which will have far-reaching consequences for the European defence and aeronautical industries," he said. "As the principal shareholder in the A400M programme, it is very satisfying for Airbus to be able to witness yet another success in innovative international cooperation". The contract signed today will become effective upon formal notification from OCCAR and provides for the following numbers of aircraft to be delivered to the launch customers' air forces: Belgium, 7; France, 50; Germany, 73; Luxembourg, 1; Portugal, 3; Spain, 27; Turkey, 10; United Kingdom, 25. The first aircraft is due to fly in 2006 and the first customer deliveries are planned from 2008. The A400M will replace ageing fleets of C-130 Hercules and C-160 Transall aircraft. The A400M will provide the rapid reaction capability that is so important in responding to crisis situations. With it's high cruise speed, intercontinental range and voluminous cargo hold, it will significantly increase the load-carrying capacity of the aircraft it will replace, whilst retaining their essential tactical, short and soft field operating characteristics. The A400M will be built to meet the demanding requirement specified by the participating European nations that will enable them to better fulfil their increasing peacekeeping and humanitarian responsibilities in support of NATO and the United Nations. As demonstrated by the recent rigorous competitive process in Europe, the A400M's impressive strategic and tactical qualities, at an affordable cost, will make it the most attractive airlifter in its category for air forces around the world. For further information telephone [33](0)5 61 93 39 86 or [33](0) 62 11 07 82 18 December 2001
The 2001 Le Bourget Air Show today saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the European A400M military airlift programme. Nations participating in the programme are Belgium with Luxembourg, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Turkey and the United Kingdom. The MOU signature represents the final step in the process that will lead to the A400M launch contract being signed between the participating nations and Airbus Military later this year. By today's signature, the participating nations also agreed to act jointly through OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d'Armement) in purchasing their fleets of aircraft.
The Ministers of the launch customer nations, left, signing the documents agreeing the development and production of the A400M, and right, meeting an enthusiastic press "The Signature of the MOU is an essential step to the final contract", said Noel Forgeard, CEO of Airbus, "it is a significant milestone towards the launch of the A400M programme that will enable European industry to enter a new, strategically important market segment." The Airbus Military A400M is a modern, multi-rôle military airlifter which will replace the ageing fleets of C-130 Hercules and C-160 Transalls in service with Europe's air forces. The A400M, powered by four high-speed turbo prop engines, will have more than twice the payload and volume of the aircraft it will replace. It will play an essential rôle in enhancing Europe's airlift capabilities, whilst enabling the establishment of common support, training and operational procedures and greater interoperability in multi-national humanitarian and peace-keeping missions. "Today's formal commitment by the A400M nations is the essential step that enables OCCAR and Airbus Military Company to move swiftly to contract signature," said Alain Flourens, President of Airbus Military. The MOU confirms the launch commitment for 212 aircraft, made up as follows: Belgium: 7; France: 50; Germany: 73; Italy: 16; Luxembourg: 1; Portugal: 3; Spain: 27; Turkey: 10; United Kingdom: 25. Following programme launch later this year, Airbus Military Company will begin to actively market the aircraft to potential export customers. 19 June 2001
At a meeting at Farnborough today the Defence Ministers of the seven partner nations in the A400M programme, Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom, made the statement that, "They firmly intend to procure jointly an aircraft in order to fulfil their requirements for future military air transport capabilities (and that) they have chosen the aircraft proposed by Airbus Military Company, the A400M."
This statement was made in the context of their previously-declared intention to develop their joint capabilities in the field of military air transport thus significantly increasing their contribution to NATO and European defence as well as consolidating and strengthening the links between their aerospace and defence industries.
"This clear indication of the confidence that the nations place in Airbus Military and the whole Airbus structure is one that gives me great pleasure", said Noel Forgeard, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Industrie, welcoming the announcement. "We will do our utmost to demonstrate that such confidence is as well-founded in this military transport programme as it has been in our civil transport activities. "
Alain Flourens, President of Airbus Military Company, said, "To-day's declaration by the Ministers firmly places the A400M on the road to achieving programme launch by early 2001 and is a significant moment for Airbus Military". Amongst the key issues considered by the nations in their evaluation of the aircraft on offer were the potential for future strategic and tactical interoperability and significant through-life cost savings.
As a response to a request for proposal based upon the European Staff Requirement, the A400M is the only aircraft that has been specifically designed to meet the ESR and is fully capable of transporting all of the equipment and vehicles specified, under the required conditions. With a maximum payload of 37 tonnes and a cargo box volume of 356 cubic metres, the A400M can carry twice the weight and twice the volume of the aircraft it is designed to replace. It will also fly at least 100 knots faster.
As well as producing a completely new aircraft which will incorporate state-of-the-art materials and systems, the A400M programme will be managed in an innovative way in accordance with the commercial approach to procurement agreed between the nations and Airbus Military. The programme will draw upon the proven methods and procedures used by Airbus Industrie in the development of civil aircraft thus bringing commercial standards of reliability and maintainability to military aircraft.
The statement made by the Ministers indicated the following distribution of commitments between the seven nations' air forces: Belgium: 7; France: 50; Germany: 73; Italy: 16; Spain: 27; Turkey 26; and the United Kingdom 25. In addition, Luxembourg intends to join the A400M acquistion programme with one aircraft in close cooperation with Belgium. This gives a total of 225 aircraft. 27 July 2000
In a joint announcement today, the French and German governments have confirmed their intention to acquire the Airbus Military A400M as a replacement for their ageing fleets of military transport aircraft.
This announcement closely follows the UK government's commitment to the aircraft made in mid-May this year and the previous endorsement by the other nations given at the endof March. The Airbus A400M is the response to a request for proposal for a Future Transport Aircraft based upon the European Staff Requirement (ESR) drawn up by seven European NATO nations, including France and Germany. A bid was submitted to the seven governments in January 1999 by Airbus Military for the A400M. "We are very pleased by this decision," said Noel Forgeard, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Industrie, "French and German participation in the A400M programme is considered extremely important." Alain Flourens, President of Airbus Military, also expressed his satisfaction: "These decisions are a clear endorsement that the A400M fulfils precisely the requirements of the seven-nation ESR. It leads the way to true European fleet interoperability via a common procurement policy." Airbus Military Company, a Societe par Actions Simplifiee (SAS) based in Toulouse, is a subsidiary of Airbus Industrie and has as its risk-sharing partners Aerospatiale-Matra of France, Alenia of Italy, BAE SYSTEMS of the UK, CASA of Spain, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace of Germany, FLABEL of Belgium and TAI of Turkey. The A400M is the only aircraft that has been specifically designed to meet the ESR and is fully capable of transporting all of the equipment and vehicles specified, under the required conditions. With a maximum payload of 37 tonnes and a cargo box volume of 356 cubic metres, the A400M can carry twice the weight and twice the volume of the aircraft it is designed to replace. It will also fly at least 100 knots faster. The A400M will also benefit from state-of-the-art material, systems and technology incorporated from the highly successful Airbus range of civil airliners, thus bringing commercial standards of reliability and maintainability to military transport aircraft. Today's announcement, issued from the Franco-German summit meeting in Mainz, now means that all seven nations have endorsed the A400M as their Future Transport Aircraft. 9 June 2000
The UK Government announced yesterday that it would acquire a fleet of A400M airlifters for their future strategic and tactical military airlift requirements. This makes the RAF the first customer firmly committed to the European military transport aircraft although five of the other partner nations in the Airbus Military Company have already pledged their support for the programme and confirmed a requirement for 130 aircraft.
The announcement was made in The House of Commons by Geoff Hoon, the UK Defence Secretary, who said, "… we have now decided that our heavy lift needs from the latter part of this decade onwards, would be best met by the A400M aircraft from Airbus Military Company". He went on to say, "The United Kingdom will order 25 aircraft in the A400M initial launch." The UK's announcement is an important step in progressing the A400M programme; with a total requirement for 155 aircraft now identified, Airbus Military is very close to achieving a launch base for manufacturing to begin. The UK government has expressed its desire for a contract to be signed and the programme to be launched by the end of 2000. The A400M decision was announced as part of a package for re-equipping the UK armed forces for their future rôle and which included the Meteor missile for the Eurofighter and the short-term lease of four C-17 transports until the A400M enters service. An important factor in arriving at the A400M decision was the potential for the implementation of "smart procurement" procedures by the government in co-operation with industry in order to achieve best value for money from the defence budgets. Mr. Hoon also emphasised that "The European Defence Initiative lies at the heart of this (decision), for the good of Europe, the trans-Atlantic alliance and the international community as a whole." The A400M is the response to a request for proposal issued by seven European NATO allies and based upon the European Staff Requirement (ESR). It is supported through Airbus Military Company by seven major aerospace manufacturers. Bids were submitted to the seven nations in January 1999 by Airbus Military for the A400M, Boeing offering the C-17 and Lockheed-Martin the C-130J. As the only military transport specifically designed to fulfil all of the ESR requirements, the UK's choice of the A400M is a clear endorsement of the aircraft as the ideal contender to satisfy Europe's future needs for tactical and strategic airlift in terms of technology, flexibility and cost-effectiveness. Mr. Hoon went on to say that the A400M, "… promises to be a superb aircraft - a new design that is specifically tailored to meet our military requirement. Moreover, the A400M should offer an extremely flexible capability, covering both the tactical and strategic rôles." The A400M is fully capable of transporting all of the equipment and vehicles specified by the ESR, under the required conditions. With a maximum payload of 37 tonnes and a cargo box volume of 356 cubic metres, the A400M can carry twice the weight and twice the volume of the aircraft it is designed to replace. It will also fly at least 100 knots faster. The A400M will also benefit from state-of-the-art materials, systems and technology incorporated from the highly successful Airbus range of civil airliners, thus bringing commercial standards of reliability and maintainability to military transport aircraft. Airbus Military Company, a Société par Actions Simplifiée (SAS) based in Toulouse, is a subsidiary of Airbus Industrie and has as its risk-sharing partners Aerospatiale Matra of France, Alenia of Italy, BAE SYSTEMS of the UK, CASA of Spain, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace of Germany, FLABEL of Belgium and TAI of Turkey. 17 May 2000
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|||
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
||||
 |
 |
|
|||
 |
|
||||
 |
|
||||
 |
|
||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
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
Malaysian government has today signed a contract for the purchase from Airbus
Military of four A400M military airlifters.
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.
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.
The FUERZA AEREA DE CHILE has signed a Declaration of Intent (DOI) with Airbus Military under which it indicates its intention to
purchase up to three A400M military transport aircraft.
Airbus Military has today launched production of the first major airframe component for the A400M military airlifter.
Following an initial declaration made on December 9th this year, the South African
government has today signed a Declaration of Intent (DOI) with Airbus Military which
will lead to participation by South Africa in the A400M military transport aircraft
programme and is worth at least 750 million Euros.
Airbus Military has met its first contractual milestone by delivering the
A400M Quality Plan to its customer, OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération
en matière d’Armament).
