A400M Demonstrates Capability for Sand Runway in UK Tests

The A400M tactical airlifter demonstrated its capability to operate on a sand runway during recent testing in Woodbridge, UK, manufacturer Airbus Defence and Space announced.

Sand is the last of three unprepared types of surface for which the A400M will be certified; it had earlier demonstrated capability to operate on a gravel surface at Ablitas, Spain, in 2013 and on a grass runway at Écury, France, last year.

The latest runway tests were conducted using the MSN2 development aircraft on a mile-long runway built at Rock Barracks, Woodbridge, by the British Army’s 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment, BBC News reported. The four-engine turboprop “demonstrated excellent performance in taxiing maneuvers, such as U-turns, and during takeoff and landing,” Airbus said.

The runway testing took place over a three-week period this month; during a final week of testing the A400M was to be flown at increasingly higher weights, Airbus said August 24.

To date, Airbus has delivered 10 A400Ms to France, 10 to the UK, four to Germany, three to Turkey and three to Malaysia. It reported delivering nine airlifters thus far this year.