The Fifth Prototype A-400M Made its First Flight

The company "Airbus Militaire" announced held on 20 December the first flight of the prototype fifth European military transport aircraft (MTC) of new generation A-400M «Grizzly".
Thus, to date, all test samples A-400M took off.


The plane "Grizzly-5» (MSN005) took to the air at 08:55 local time with the company's factory airfield "Airbus Militaire" in Seville, and successfully landed after 2 hours and 10 minutes.


The aircraft is a package of test equipment. It will be used to study the effect of electromagnetic interference testing system loading, demonstration and testing in cold weather conditions.


The first prototype MSN001 made its first flight December 11, 2009 in Seville. To date, the total duration of four prototypes of more than 2500 hours of the scheduled 3700 hours

In 2003, "Airbus Militaire" was awarded a contract to supply 180 planes for the countries participating in the project A-400M.


To date, the total number of aircraft ordered is 170 units., Including Germany (53 units)., France (50.) Spain (27 units.) UK (22 units.), Turkey (10 units)., Belgium ( 7 units.) and Luxembourg (1 unit)..


To program also joined South Africa and Malaysia have ordered 8 and 4 planes, respectively, but at the end of 2009 the South African government revoked the order.

As expected, the first production aircraft MSN007 will be transferred to the French Air Force in late 2012 - early 2013.


A total of 2013 customers will put at least 4 aircraft. Eight aircraft entered service in 2014.