Airbus A400 completes grass runway tests
Airbus Defence and Space has completed certification testing of the A400 airlifter on a grass runway.
The tests used the development aircraft MSN2, and took place over a period of three weeks at the Écury-sur-Coole airfield to examine the aircraft’s behaviour on grass and soil runways.
Previous tests on a gravel surface were successfully completed earlier this year, with more tests on sand surfaces to take place next year.
South Africa is an industrial partner in the A400 programme, with Denel Aerostructures making the fuselage and vertical tailplane components, Aerosud supplying wing, cabin and cockpit items and Cobham South Africa providing satellite communications equipment.
Stay up to date
Subscribe to the free Times Aerospace newsletter and receive the latest content every week. We'll never share your email address.
