A400M Update: August 2013

08/29/2013

2013-08-29 This summer the first A400M was delivered to the French Air Force with a second one on the way later this year.

Next up are deliveries to the Turkish Air Force.

First A400M for the Turkish Air Force seen in flight. Credit: Airbus Military

According to an Airbus Military Press Release (August 28, 2013):

The first production Airbus Military A400M new generation airlifter for the Turkish Air Force (TAF) has been painted and flown for the first time in its new markings.

The aircraft is the first of ten ordered by Turkey and will be delivered in the coming weeks.

The video above shows this first flight of the Turkish A400M as well.

A second recent development for the program is the delivery of the first wings for the first UK A400M.

These wings are produced in the UK for the A400M fleet.

Wings for the A400M are produced in the UK for the A400M fleet. These wings pictured are for the first UK A400M being assembled in Spain. Credit: Airbus Military

According to an Airbus Military Press Release (August 29, 2013):

The wings for the first Airbus Military A400M Atlas new generation airlifter for the Royal Air Force have left the Airbus plant in Filton, UK where they are made, bound for the final assembly line at Seville, Spain.

The picture shows one of the wings being loaded onto the Airbus roll-on-roll-off ferry at Royal Portbury Docks.

The aircraft, the first of 22 ordered by the United Kingdom, is due to be delivered in September 2014.

For a look at the first A400M delivered to the French Air Force see the following:

https://sldinfo.com/the-french-air-force-receives-its-first-a400m-comments-from-general-mercier/

Also see the following:

https://sldinfo.com/the-a400m-takes-flight-redefining-the-airlift-market/