Airbus Military's first production example of the A400M has entered structural assembly on the company's San Pablo final assembly line near Seville, Spain.
Destined for delivery to the French air force between late this year and early 2013, aircraft MSN7 was recently moved to the "Station 40" position, where its composite wing is now being installed.
Final assembly work on MSN7 started last November. Following the completion of structural assembly activities, the aircraft will leave the line to undergo ground system tests. Its Europrop International TP400-D6 engines will be installed later.
Airbus Military has an order book for 174 A400Ms, with these to be operated by European partner nations Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Turkey and the UK, plus export customer Malaysia.
 |
|---|
© Airbus Military |
Source: Flight International
