Photo credit © Airbus Defence & Space
The first Airbus A400M new generation airlifter for the German Air Force has taken another step towards delivery with the start of taxiing trials.
The aircraft moved under its own power for the first time on 12 October at the Airbus Defence and Space facility in Seville, Spain. Driven by its four TP400 turboprop engines, assembled in Munich by MTU Aero Engines – a member of the Europrop International consortium which manufactures the powerplants – the aircraft taxied forwards and in reverse and performed a series of tight turns. In the coming days it will carry out progressively faster trials before making its first flight.
