Airbus sees 1-year delay in A-400M military transport aircraft roll-out
By Our Corporate Bureau | 18 Oct 2007
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Mumbai: Airbus expects its A-400M military cargo aircraft to enter service at least 12 months later than expected. The announcement came a day after the firm handed over the first A-380 passenger aircraft to launch customer Singapore Airlines - 18 months past the scheduled date.
Industry sources close to the developments said Airbus A-400M deliveries would occur six months after of the October 2009 target date.
The Airbus A-400M is the largest military project in Europe. Issues concerning the gargantuan Airbus A-380 have effectively overshadowed the A-400M's production and delivery to date, but its development costs are nearly double those of the A-380.
Its first flight was originally slotted for January 2008. Earlier this year, EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company - Airbus' parent group) admitted that this would be pushed back. The company issued a statement on 17 October that attributed the delay to the "slow progression of the development of the engine."
The first Airbus A-400M is presently in Seville, Spain, with system tests scheduled to take place later this month.
The A-400M programme was launched four years ago, and involved input from eight countries - Belgium, France, Germany, Italy (which has since withdrawn), Luxembourg, Spain, Turkey and the UK. Among the roles it will be able to perform are the transportation of troops and/or cargo, electronic surveillance and tanking.
Airbus anticipates ultimately to be producing 30 aircraft a year.
The A-400M order book currently stands at 195, with Germany set to take the most. The Royal Air Force currently has 25 on order.
Industry sources close to the developments said Airbus A-400M deliveries would occur six months after of the October 2009 target date.
The Airbus A-400M is the largest military project in Europe. Issues concerning the gargantuan Airbus A-380 have effectively overshadowed the A-400M's production and delivery to date, but its development costs are nearly double those of the A-380.
Its first flight was originally slotted for January 2008. Earlier this year, EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company - Airbus' parent group) admitted that this would be pushed back. The company issued a statement on 17 October that attributed the delay to the "slow progression of the development of the engine."
The first Airbus A-400M is presently in Seville, Spain, with system tests scheduled to take place later this month.
The A-400M programme was launched four years ago, and involved input from eight countries - Belgium, France, Germany, Italy (which has since withdrawn), Luxembourg, Spain, Turkey and the UK. Among the roles it will be able to perform are the transportation of troops and/or cargo, electronic surveillance and tanking.
Airbus anticipates ultimately to be producing 30 aircraft a year.
The A-400M order book currently stands at 195, with Germany set to take the most. The Royal Air Force currently has 25 on order.
