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World Defense and Security Industry News - Airbus Defence & Space
 
 
The first Airbus A400M tactical airlifter for Germany runs its engines
 
The first Airbus A400M new generation airlifter for the German Air Force has begun final tests towards its delivery. The four engines on the aircraft, known as MSN18, were successfully run simultaneously for the first time on 28 September at the Airbus Defence and Space Final Assembly Line in Seville, Spain.
     
The first Airbus A400M new generation airlifter for the German Air Force has begun final tests towards its delivery. The four engines on the aircraft, known as MSN18, were successfully run simultaneously for the first time on 28 September at the Airbus Defence and Space Final Assembly Line in Seville, Spain.
First Airbus A400M tactical airlifter for Germany runs its engines
     
In German Air Force service the A400M will replace the ageing C-160 Transall fleet. The TP400 engines assembled by Europrop International in Munich, give the A400M nearly eight-times as much installed power as the C-160. It can carry twice the load of its predecessor over intercontinental distances at speeds comparable to more expensive jet aircraft, but still land on short or unprepared airstrips close to the scene of military or humanitarian action.

The A400M will be capable of carrying a load of 32 tonnes over a range of 2300nmls at speeds comparable with pure-jet military transports; furthermore, the range of the aircraft can be extended by the use of a removable, air refuelling probe mounted above the cockpit. The aircraft will be capable of operating either at low-level (down to 150ft agl) or at high-level altitudes up to 11,300m, and it will be able to deploy troops and/or equipment between and within theatres of operation either by parachute (up to 108 paratroopers), or by landing on short, unprepared or semi-prepared strips.