A400M completes critical flight tests

Airbus Military’s A400M is closer to civil certification after completing a 32-day, 300-hour function and reliability flight testing program.

Using a production-representative aircraft – the sixth A400M – 52 flights were made to complete the functional tests in advance of the aircraft proceeding to full type-certification testing by regulatory authorities.  It is anticipated full civil certification and military initial operating capability will be achieved in the first quarter before delivery of the first A400M to the French air force during the second quarter.