Airbus Military Announces New A400M AAR Simulation

Airbus Military has announced the successful simulated air-to-air refuelling (AAR) of the new generation A400M airlifter from a C-160 Transall tanker of the French Air Force. The company made the announcement on 16 October.

During the simulation, the A400M and the C-160 tanker conducted 20 ‘dry contacts’, in which no fuel is passed, including one lasting 12 minutes, which is the length of a normal refuelling operation. Airbus Military expects to conduct ‘wet contact’ testing in the first quarter of next year. 

The A400M has now successfully performed refuelling contacts with a VC10 of the Royal Air Force, the C-160, and an Airbus Military A330 MRTT new generation tanker/transport.