Airbus’s new military aircraft passes critical test
The highly advanced all-composite wing of the Airbus Military A400M new airlifter has passed the ultimate-load up-bend test – the critical static test required for certification. During the test, performed in the presence of two representatives of the European Aviation Safety Agency (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 1.41m (4.6ft) during the test which was completed at Airbus Military’s Getafe, Madrid facility on July 22nd. Senior vice president A400M chief engineer Alain Cassier said that the successful test represents a major achievement for the A400M program on its route to certification. South Africa-based industrial partners were responsible for the design, engineering and manufacturing of key wing components for the A400M: Denel-Saab Aerostructures for the wing-fuselage fairing (the largest single aerostructure component ever produced in Africa), and Aerosud, for the complex aerodynamic wingtip section of the main wings. The A400M wing is assembled at the Airbus plant at Filton, Bristol (UK). The static test program 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. The A400M is an all-new military airlifter designed to meet the needs of the world’s Armed Forces. Advanced technologies enable the aircraft to fly higher, faster and further, while retaining high manoeuvrability, 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 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. The A400M is the most cost efficient and versatile airlifter ever conceived and absolutely unique in its capabilities. Quelle: eyefortransport |