Airbus Says It Is A "Major Achievement" For The Long-Delayed Airlifter

The all-composite wing of Airbus Military's new A400M airlifter has passed the ultimate-load up-bend test - the critical static test required for certification.

A400M Wing Bend Test

During the test, performed in the presence of two representatives of the EASA, the wing was subjected to a load equal to 150% of the maximum bending load (limit load) predicted to be encountered in service. The wingtips of the full-size A400M static test specimen moved upwards 4.6 feet during the test which was completed at Airbus Military's Getafe, Madrid facility on 22nd July.

Senior Vice President A400M Chief Engineer Alain Cassier said: "This successful test represents a major achievement for the A400M program on its route to certification. We are all delighted to have passed this key milestone in the structural test programme, which further confirms the soundness of the A400M design."

A400M Test Flight

The A400M wing is assembled at the Airbus plant at Filton, Bristol UK. The static test programme will continue in Madrid, Spain until mid-2011, while full-scale fatigue tests will be conducted on another test specimen in Dresden, Germany, beginning later this year.

FMI: www.airbus.com