Europrop International's first flight-test example of the TP400-D6 engine for Airbus Military's A400M transport will enter ground vibration testing by early March, with a Marshall Aerospace-modified Lockheed Martin C-130 testbed now equipped with the powerplant and its Ratier-Figeac eight-blade propeller. Ground runs totalling more than 30h are required before the Hercules can make its planned first flight on 1 May, while at least 50 flight hours must be logged prior to the first production A400M's targeted 31 July debut. EPI has shipped the aircraft's first three TP400s to EADS Casa's final assembly line in Seville, Spain, with the fourth to follow shortly.
Source: Flight International
