Article Posted on : - Mar 25, 2011

The Airbus A400M airlifter has completed tests to determine the lowest speed at which it can take off; it is seen here at a pitch-up angle of 13 degrees. Photo: Airbus Military.

MADRID, SPAIN (BNS): The Airbus A400M has recently completed a challenging series of tests to determine the lowest speed at which it can take-off – known as minimum unstick speed or Vmu.

During the tests, performed at Istres in France, the aircraft’s nose was raised until a special ‘bumper’ fitted to the rear fuselage struck the ground at the maximum pitch-up angle of 13 degree, according to a Airbus Military news report.

The Airbus A400M is a multi-national four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. It was designed by Airbus Military as a tactical airlifter with strategic capabilities.

Airbus Military is a business unit of Airbus, which is part of the EADS conglomerate.