A400M
Manufacturer Airbus Military
First flight December 11, 2009
introduced in 2013
Status In production, in service
User French Air Force
Turkish Air Force
Year of production 2007-present
Total production 6
Approaching the unit price of € 136 million
Airbus A400M military transport plane is a four-engine turboprop. This aircraft was designed by Airbus Military division to replace or supplement the aircraft used in the role of tactical air transport The aircraft Airbus A400M was originally ordered by the 9 (nine) states;. However, later canceled orders from South Africa in November 2009 First flight of this aircraft, originally planned early 2008, was held on December 11, 2009
Airbus A400M Military Transport aircraft is a four-engine turboprop, which is in the making has a lot of spending money, thus making the budget beyond which only a few billion dollars. However, these aircraft do inaugural test flight in Seville, Spain on Friday, 12/11/2009. This aircraft was designed by Airbus Military division to replace or supplement the aircraft used in the role of tactical air transport.
The cost of making a giant aircraft grayed spent 20 billion euros, or 5 billion euros more than previously planned. The solution is also three years behind schedule. Making A400M first approved by a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), namely Germany, Spain, France, Great Britain, Turkey, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
Louis Gallois, head of EADS, the parent company of Airbus, said the inaugural flight is the beginning of a series of trials conducted in the next year. "The second aircraft will fly at the end of March 2010 and the third will fly before the summer of 2010," he said.
Seven countries have ordered 180 planes, partly as a replacement Transall and C130 Hercules aircraft. However, many people who regretted the delay in completion. South Africa, for example, cancel the order and stay in Malaysia as a customer outside the EU. The inaugural flight was originally scheduled in 2008, and delivery to the buyer at the end of 2009, however, along the way many serious technical barriers, in particular on the engine propeller.
A400M, which is worth 100 million dollars, can fly as high as 12,000 feet and can land on short runways and not smooth. The rotors have the power of 11,000 horsepower and is the most powerful engine made outside Russia. However, the first shipment is delayed at least until early 2013, France and Germany has given to Airbus by the end of this year to prove that the A400M project can be continued. Britain also divert its orders to the U.S. and will insist renegotiate his contract. EADS has spent 2.4 billion euros to cover losses on the A400M project is. Total does not include the cost of making new aircraft. Fabrice Bregier, a member of the executive board of EADS, said that the group of NATO countries agreed to accept a higher price, but he wished there was a new contract from a buyer who agreed in late 2009.