First flight of Airbus A400M military transport plane is today

SEVILLE, Spain 11 Dec., 2009. Airbus Military's new A400M military transport aircraft with new avionics systems will makes its maiden flight today from Seville, Spain. The multi-role air transport has been developed to replace ageing fleets of C-130 Hercules and C-160 Transalls in service around the world.

The A400M is able to fly higher, faster and further, while retaining high maneuverability, low speed, and short, soft and rough airfield capabilities. It will fly both tactical and strategic/logistic missions. Its cargo hold is specifically designed to carry the outsize equipment needed today for both military and humanitarian disaster relief missions, Airbus officials say.

Approximately 3,700 hours of flight tests over the next three years are planned from Seville and Toulouse, France as well as specialized locations all around the world.