BAE Systems is poised to start low-speed taxi trials with its first prototype of the UK Royal Air Force's Nimrod MRA4 maritime patrol and attack aircraft. Pictured at BAE's Woodford plant, the airframe has recently completed ground runs of its four Rolls-Royce Deutschland BR710 engines, which were fired up for the first time on 19 April. BAE will prepare a total of 18 MRA4s for the RAF, with the type to achieve a delayed in-service date of 2009. Low-speed test runs will be followed by high-speed taxi trials, with the MRA4 expected to make its first flight later this year.
Source: Flight International
