Article Posted on : - Aug 12, 2014

The first A400M new generation airlifter for the Royal Air Force. Photo; Airbus Defence And Space

TOULOUSE, FRANCE (BNS): The first A400M new generation airlifter for the Royal Air Force has taken another step towards delivery with the start of taxying trials.

For the first time on 10th August, the aircraft was moved under its own power at the Airbus Defence and Space facility in Seville, Spain, the Company said.

The Royal Air Force is scheduled to receive the first A400M in September.

The A400M is an all-new military airlifter designed to fly higher, faster and further, while retaining high maneuverability, low speed, and short, soft and rough airfield capabilities.

It combines both tactical and strategic/logistic missions. With its cargo hold specifically designed to carry the outsize equipment needed today for both military and humanitarian disaster relief missions, it can bring this material quickly and directly to where it is most needed.

Conceived to be highly reliable, dependable, and with a great survivability, the multipurpose A400M can do more with less, implying smaller fleets and less investment from the operator, Airbus DS said.

Airbus Defence and Space is a division of Airbus Group formed by combining the business activities of Cassidian, Astrium and Airbus Military.