Article Posted on : - Jan 27, 2010

Airbus A400M military transport aircraft. Airbus Military Photo.

MADRID, SPAIN (BNS): The Airbus Military A400M airlifter MSN1 has recently completed a series of three flights on consecutive days thus totaling the number to seven flights and 30hr 20min block time.

According to a report by the Airbus Military, MSN1 has flown at the type’s maximum operating speed of 300kt (555km/hr), maximum Mach number of M0.72, down to the stall warning, and at an altitude of more than 30,000ft. It has operated extensively in both direct and normal control laws, and in different configurations.

“We have performed some very interesting flights and collected a lot of good data," said Ed Strongman, Chief Test Pilot Military, as reported in the release.

The news release finally concluded that five prototypes will perform a planned 3,700 flight-hours before the first delivery of the A400M in late 2012.

The Airbus A400M is a European four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed by Airbus Military.

The A400M is able to transport all the vital humanitarian and military equipments required for various operations. The A400M cargo hold is designed for rapid loading and unloading without specialised ground support equipment.