Deliveries of A400M's engines begin

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MUNICH, Germany, April 20 (UPI) -- The first production series engines to power Airbus Military A400M airlifters for France are being delivered by Germany's Europrop International.

The TP400-D6 engines -- produced by EPI partners ITP, MTU, Rolls-Royce and Snecma -- were assembled by EPI prior to testing and delivery to an Airbus Military facility in Spain.

"The delivery of our first production TP400 marks a significant milestone in the engine program," said EPI President Simon Henley. "We'll now see a rapid ramp up (in) our production rates as we begin a new chapter of the EPI story.

"Meanwhile, the engine continues to perform well in the flight test program. We have now accumulated over 10,000 flying hours as we build toward the entry into service of an aircraft and engine that will bring a significant improvement in operational capability to customers."

The A400M is expected to enter service with the French air force early next year.

The TP400 engine, designed for the A400M, features a three-shaft configuration and delivers a maximum power output of 11,000 shaft horsepower.