MADRID, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Airbus Military's new A400M has passed a series of key tests in France as the aircraft progresses toward civil and military certification.
The aircraft this month performed the high-energy, rejected takeoff test, which confirms the capability of the braking system to stop the aircraft safely following a rejected takeoff at high speed and high weight.
Emergency evacuation tests were also carried out to demonstrate that the aircraft can be safely evacuated in a specified time when loaded with troops or other passengers in various configurations.
The company said the high-energy rejected takeoff test is one of the toughest in the program and, because of the risk of damage to the aircraft, is among the last items performed before preparation of the aircraft flight manual.
It was carried out on a runway and required the aircraft, loaded to the maximum takeoff weight, to make a simulated takeoff run, which was aborted at the V1 decision speed.
The emergency evacuation tests were performed over several days at the A400M final assembly line in Seville, Spain, using the fifth development aircraft, which is mostly complete and due to fly before the end of the year.
"These are vital tests to satisfy highly specific certification requirements and it is very satisfying to see the aircraft performing so well against them," Airbus Head of Flight Operations Fernando Alonso said. "We look forward to more strong progress in the next few weeks as we work towards type certification."
