News in brief

Airbus Military’s new-generation A400M airlifter has demonstrated its refuelling compatibility with the company’s A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport, successfully completing a series of 30 “dry contacts” with the tanker aircraft’s hose and drogue system. This testing – which utilised an A330 MRTT to be delivered to the UK Royal Air Force – also highlighted the stability of both aircraft when flying in close formation and during the simulated refuelling contacts.

Airbus Military has received the initial type certification for its new-generation A400M airlifter, with this first approval – known as a Restricted Type Certificate – presented by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) today in Toulouse, France. This milestone marks an important step toward the A400M’s full civil type certification – which is anticipated for mid-2012 – as well as the aircraft’s military Initial Operating Clearance later in the year.

Airbus has further expanded its research and technology (R&T) activities in the United States through a six-year renewal agreement signed with the Hampton, Virginia-based National Institute of Aerospace. This accord follows completion of a previous six-year agreement, during which over $6 million in R&T grants were distributed to support more than 50 researchers from major U.S. universities – providing funding for projects that span a broad technical scope.

The Airbus Military-produced A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport has marked a new operational milestone for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), carrying a record number of passengers for the military service during a single flight. This sortie – flown last month as part of the aircraft’s service introduction with the RAAF’s 33 Squadron – transported 220 passengers from the Australian Defence Force Academy, as well as its 14 crew members, on a two-hour flight from Defence Establishment Fairbairn. The A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport configuration selected by the RAAF can accommodate 270 passengers in total.

Asian nations are receiving a first-hand look at the A400M as this next-generation airlifter continues its 14-20 April tour of the region. The aircraft began its circuit with a touchdown in Malaysia that also marked the A400M’s milestone initial appearance in Asia. During this three-day stopover, government and military representatives for Malaysia – which is one of eight current A400M customer nations – were shown the aircraft’s range of advanced capabilities on the ground and in flight. The A400M today arrived at its latest tour destination – Jakarta, Indonesia – where it will make local flights with government and air force personnel, to be followed by the airlifter’s static display at the country’s Halim Airbase.

The Airbus Corporate Foundation is helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds realise their full potential with its “Flying Challenge” – which aims to inspire students aged 13-15 through strong mentoring relationships. The Foundation launched a pilot initiative with the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center in Mobile, Alabama, USA last year, followed by the programme’s start-up this February at Bellefontaine College in the Toulouse, France area – where mentoring support is being provided by Airbus employees and local college students. At its latest board meeting earlier in the month, the Foundation decided to expand the initiative in the U.S. and France.

The Airbus Military A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) has entered service with the UK Royal Air Force, performing a training sortie on 8 April from the RAF Brize Norton facility – the military service´s primary transport/tanker base.  This first operational UK aircraft, along with 13 others on order, are being supplied to AirTanker, which is the company created to operate and support the UK’s A330 MRTT fleet.  Overall, a total of 28 A330 MRTTs have been ordered by four customers: the United Kingdom, Australia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The Airbus Military A400M has touched down in Santiago de Chile, where this next-generation airlifter will take centre stage at FIDAE (Feria Internacional del Aire y del Espacio) – Latin America’s largest air show, held this year from 27 March to 1 April. The arrival in Chile – representing the A400M’s first in the region as part of flight testing – also concluded the aircraft’s milestone 1,000th flight, which followed high altitude evaluations at Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Airbus Military has successfully demonstrated the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport’s (MRTT) refuelling compatibility with Mirage 2000 and F-16 Block 60 fighter jets – which are the primary aircraft types to be supported by A330 MRTTs in future service with the United Arab Emirates Air Force. This receiver qualification was achieved through a series of flight tests performed in Abu Dhabi, which included air-to-air refuelling at speeds throughout the flight envelope; at a range of altitudes; and in turns, climbs and descents as well as level flight. The United Arab Emirates has three A330 MRTTs on order, with delivery of the nation’s first two aircraft scheduled for this year.

The second series production A400M is now taking shape inside Airbus Military’s Seville, Spain final assembly line. This activity was kicked off in February with integration of the aircraft’s wings and central wing-box, followed by arrival of the A400M’s other main components – including its vertical and horizontal tailplanes, nose and fuselage – in Seville from European production facilities. This will be the second A400M delivered to the French Air Force, which is to receive the aircraft in 2013.