A400M Engine Testbed Faces Tight Schedule

Robert Wall/Paris wall@aviationweek.com

EADS before July is hoping to reach its 50 flight hour target on the Marshall Aerospace C-130 serving as the flying testbed for the A400M's TP400D turboprop engine.

The goal to reach that milestone in the second quarter is not easy, though. So far the testbed has flown about 15 hours since its first flight in mid-December. Improving weather should allow the pace of flight testing to increase, however.

Also due this quarter is improved engine hardware for the first flight A400M, with the goal of starting static engine ground runs in the third quarter, EADS officials say.

One of the main development hurdles to maintain the plan to fly the A400M this year is the full-authority digital engine control (FADEC) system. Engine consortium Europrop International is supposed to achieve that milestone in the third quarter.

That sets significant activity in the fourth quarter, including Airbus Military completing FADEC system integration tests, the European Aviation Safety Agency providing flight clearance for MSN001, and the actual flight.

The aircraft would enter into service three years after first flight, barring any surprises during the test campaign.

Photo credit: EADS