Europrop International (EPI), the four-country engine consortium producing the TP400-D6 engine for the Airbus Military A400M transport completed its first successful engine run fitted with the eight-blade Ratier-Figeac propeller earlier this week (pictured below).
EPI was created by Spain's Industria de Turbo Propulsores (ITP), Germany's MTU Aero Engines, the UK's Rolls-Royce and Snecma of France to develop, produce over 750 TP400-D6 engines for the 180 A400Ms so far ordered by the four European launch countries. The aircraft has also been ordered by an additional five militaries.
The first run of the complete engine was witnessed by representatives of the participating European governments, together with representatives of the European procurement agency OCCAR, the European Aviation Safety Agency, Airbus Military and the engine manufacturers.
More than one thousand sensors are in place for monitoring detailed performance of this first engine run of the equipped TP400-D6 and tests will continue in Snecma's test facilities in Istres, outside Marseilles.The propeller-less has currently already undergone a total of 35h of testing. The development engine has already achieved its stated maximum rating of 10,690shp (7,965kN).
The second engine has also been assembled at ITP's facilities in Ajalvir, ahead of testing at MTU maintenance's base outside Berlin.
 |
 |
All photos © EPI |
 |
Source: Flight International
