A400M fatigue testing underway

Fatigue testing of A400M test airframe MSN5001 has begun on schedule in Dresden, Airbus Military reports.

The test airframe will be subjected to a “punshing regime of loads” around the clock for an initial four week period. Airbus Military says 1665 simulated flights are required for EASA civil type certification for the aircraft, and that it plans to simulate 25,000 flights over the next 18 months, equivalent to 2.5 times the aircraft’s design life.