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101-482: Airbus Defence and Space (former Military Air Systems business unit of EADS ) has its flight test center here at Manching Airport . The Barthelmarkt , a well-known beer festival in the area, takes place in the district of Oberstimm  [ de ] on the last weekend of August every year. This Pfaffenhofen district location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Airbus Defence and Space Airbus Defence and Space

202-532: A M w 6.9 earthquake had ravaged the country. An A400M crashed on 9 May 2015, when aircraft MSN23, on its first test flight crashed shortly after take-off from San Pablo Airport in Seville, Spain, killing four Spanish Airbus crew and seriously injuring two others. Once airborne, the crew contacted air traffic controllers just before the crash about a technical failure, before colliding with an electricity pylon while attempting an emergency landing. The crash

303-601: A consortium of Alenia Aermacchi , Airbus and BAE Systems that conducts the majority of the project through a joint holding company , Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH , formed in 1986. NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency manages the project and is the prime customer. Another attack aircraft, the New Generation Fighter (NGF), is currently under development as part of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). To complement this,

404-409: A heat treatment process that weakened the ring gear, affected no other PGBs; the units involved needed changing. Airbus noted: "pending full replacement of the batch, any aircraft can continue to fly with no more than one affected propeller gearbox installed and is subject to continuing inspections." Another PGB issue involved input pinion plug cracking, which could release small metallic particles into

505-506: A joint venture between Aérospatiale , British Aerospace (BAe), Lockheed , and Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) with the goal of developing a replacement for both the C-130 Hercules and Transall C-160 . Varying requirements and the complications of international politics meant that progress on the initiative was slow. In 1989, Lockheed decided to withdraw from the grouping. Lockheed independently developed an upgraded Hercules,

606-517: A "milestone" because it was the first such mission in an active war zone and showed that the armoring kit was fully functional. In September 2018, the French Air and Space Force announced that they had logged 10,000 flying hours with their fleet of 14 A400Ms, mostly flying supply missions for Operation Barkhane . The German government had planned to sell the last 13 A400Ms out of its order of 53 aircraft but failed to attract any buyers. In 2017,

707-411: A 36.5 m (120 ft) hose and drogue configuration that permits helicopter refuelling. Prior tests found instability in the intended 24 m (79 ft) hose due to vortices generated by the spoilers , deployed to achieve 108-130 kt air speed. In April 2016, production faults affecting 14 propeller gearboxes (PGBs) produced by Italian supplier Avio Aero were discovered. The issue, involving

808-792: A German A400M tanker replaced the Airbus A310 MRTT deployed to Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan , to refuel allied aircraft as part of the German intervention against ISIL . In August 2021, a total of 25 A400Ms were deployed by Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Turkey and the UK to assist in the Kabul Airport evacuations . German A400Ms evacuated 5,347 people over the course of 35 flights. In September 2023, Royal Air Force A400M transported British search and rescue teams to Morocco after

909-812: A ceremony in September 2013. In August 2013, the first Turkish A400M conducted its maiden flight from Seville. In March 2015, Malaysia received its first A400M. In May 2015, it was revealed that the member nations had created a Programme Monitoring Team (PMT) to review and monitor progress in the A400M's development and production. The PMT inspects the final assembly line in Seville and other production sites. Early conclusions observed that Airbus lacked an integrated approach to production, development and retrofits, treating these as separate programmes. On 9 May 2015, an A400M crashed in Seville on its first test flight. Germany, Malaysia, Turkey and UK suspended flights during

1010-498: A detailed and comprehensive portfolio assessment, Airbus Defence and Space defined Space (Launchers & Satellites), Military Aircraft, Missiles and related Systems and Services as its future core businesses. Some business areas were identified as divestment candidates as they did not fit the strategic goals for the company. Under this plan, the commercial and para-public communication business (including Professional Mobile Radio and commercial satellite communications services activities)

1111-527: A dump truck and excavator, or a Patriot missile system , or a Puma or Cougar helicopter, or a truck and 25-ton trailer. It features a fly-by-wire flight control system with sidestick controllers and flight envelope protection . Like other Airbus aircraft, the A400M has a full glass cockpit . Most systems are loosely based on those of the A380, but modified for the military mission. The hydraulic system has dual 20.7 MPa (3,000 psi) channels powering

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1212-450: A fuselage-mounted UARRSI receptacle for receiving fuel from boom equipped tankers. It can act as a tanker when fitted with two wing mounted hose and drogue under-wing refuelling pods or a centre-line Hose and Drum unit. The refuelling pods can transfer fuel to other aircraft at a rate of 2,640 lb/min (20.0 kg/s). The A400M features deployable baffles in front of the rear side doors, intended to give paratroops time to get clear of

1313-598: A key performance requirement, the ability to airlift 32 tons. Sources told FTD that it could only lift 29 tons, insufficient to carry an infantry fighting vehicle like the Puma . In response to the report, the chief of the German Air Force stated: "That is a disastrous development," and could delay deliveries to the German Air Force ( Luftwaffe ) until 2014. The Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for

1414-531: A new business unit in the Airbus SAS integrated. Airbus Military was formally created in April 2009 by the integration of the former Military Transport Aircraft Division (MTAD) and Airbus Military Sociedad Limitada (AMSL) into Airbus. The division manufactured tanker, transport, and mission aircraft, including Airbus A330 MRTT , Airbus A400M , CASA C-212 Aviocar , CASA/IPTN CN-235 and EADS CASA C-295 . After

1515-664: A new division was incorporated as Cassidian Cybersecurity GmbH, headquartered in Ottobrunn. Airbus Defence and Space was formed in 2013 as a result of the merger of Astrium , Cassidian, and the Airbus Military divisions of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) which was itself reorganized as Airbus . On 1 January 2014, the parent company EADS was restructured as Airbus , comprising three subsidiary companies that include Airbus Defence and Space, Airbus , and Airbus Helicopters . On 16 September 2014, after

1616-609: A six-week retrofit to install anti-icing equipment fed with bleed air . Production aircraft are similarly fitted. Winter tests were done in Kiruna , Sweden in February 2011. In March 2012, high altitude start and landing tests were performed at La Paz at 4,061.5 m (13,325 ft) and Cochabamba at 2,548 m (8,360 feet) in Bolivia . By April 2011, a total of 1,400 flight hours over 450 flights had been achieved. In May 2011,

1717-518: A transnational aerospace and defence company. The two companies envisaged including the French corporation Aérospatiale — another major European aerospace company — in the project, but only after its privatization, as it was owned by the French state. However, the merger faltered, and British Aerospace abandoned the DASA merger in favour of purchasing its domestic rival, Marconi Electronic Systems , which

1818-499: A wide chord of 5.6 m (18 ft), and a sweep angle of 15 degrees at 25 percent mean aerodynamic chord . The A400M has a T-tail empennage . Its vertical stabilizer is 8.02 m (26.3 ft) tall. The horizontal stabilizer spans 19.03 m (62.4 ft), with a sweep of 32.5 degrees. The Ratier-Figeac FH385 propellers turn counterclockwise and the FH386 clockwise. The eight-bladed scimitar propellers are made from

1919-461: A woven composite material. It is powered by four Europrop TP400-D6 engines rated at 8,250 kW (11,000 hp) each. The TP400-D6 engine is the most powerful turboprop engine in the West to enter operational use. The pair of propellers on each wing turn in opposite directions , with the tips of the propellers advancing from above towards the midpoint between the two engines. This is in contrast to

2020-458: Is Turkey , which has 59 aircraft. The EADS CASA C-295 is a twin- turboprop tactical military transport aircraft, and is currently manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space in Spain . Airbus Defence and Space has also created fighter and attack aircraft . The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine , canard - delta wing , multirole fighter . The Typhoon was designed and is manufactured by

2121-501: Is 17.71 m (58.1 ft) long excluding ramp, 4.00 m (13.12 ft) wide, and 3.85 m (12.6 ft) high (or 4.00 m (13.12 ft) aft of the wing). and can be configured to transport cargo , military personnel , drop paratroops , conduct medical evacuations or carry out aerial refuelling. It can operate out of short, soft landing strips and fly long-range cargo. A typical cargo load might include six Land Rovers and their trailers, or two light armoured vehicles, or

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2222-676: Is a European four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft . It was designed by Airbus Military , now Airbus Defence and Space , as a tactical airlifter with strategic capabilities to replace older transport aircraft, such as the Transall C-160 and the Lockheed C-130 Hercules . The A400M is sized between the C-130 and the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III . It can carry heavier loads than

2323-503: Is a space observatory of the European Space Agency (ESA) designed for astrometry . The mission aims to construct the largest and most precise 3D space catalog ever made and totaling approximately 1 billion astronomical objects , mainly stars but also planets, comets, asteroids and quasars among others. Solar Orbiter (SolO) is a Sun -observing satellite , developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). The mission

2424-556: Is a division of Airbus SE . Formed in 2014 in the restructuring of European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS), Airbus SE comprises the former Airbus Military , Astrium , and Cassidian  [ de ] divisions. Contributing 21% of Airbus revenues in 2016, it is the second largest space company in the world. As early as 1995, the German aerospace and defence company DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (DASA) and its British counterpart British Aerospace were said to be eager to create

2525-460: Is a multi-sensor system, designed as a demonstrator for test missions such as fast reconnaissance, surveillance, targeting and battle damage assessment, and is used as a testbed for future aerial systems technologies and procedures. European HALE RPAS is a long-endurance aerial drone system designed for surveillance, reconnaissance and target acquisition. The main purpose of the European UAS

2626-552: Is an aerial refueling tanker aircraft based on the civilian Airbus A330 . The A330 MRTT has been ordered by several countries, however the firsts orders were from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Royal Saudi Air Force , United Arab Emirates Air Force , Royal Air Force (RAF) and Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). The EADS/Northrop Grumman KC-45 was a version of the A330 MRTT proposed for

2727-435: Is composed of six wing-mounted pods; reportedly these sensor pods could potentially be used on other platforms, including manned aircraft. DVF 2000 VT is a short-range mini UAS/UAV with a low noise electric motor. It is an unmanned aircraft for maritime and land surveillance. KZO is a tactical UAS with a two-stroke gasoline engine. It is an unmanned aircraft for high-speed reconnaissance missions. The gathered information

2828-477: Is displayed on the HUD for low altitude flying, demonstrating its value for flying tactical missions at night or in cloud. EADS and Thales provides the new Multi-Colour Infrared Alerting Sensor (MIRAS) missile warning sensor for the A400M. The A400M has a removable refuelling probe mounted above the cockpit, allowing it to receive fuel from drogue-equipped tankers. Optionally, the receiving probe can be replaced with

2929-549: Is immediately available and can quickly be distributed in the command structure. Harfang is a medium-altitude long-endurance UAS for joint armed forces. It can fulfil a wide range of missions, from surveillance to sensitive peacekeeping. Harfang provides real-time information and can be controlled either manually from the ground control station or autonomously. ATLANTE is a tactical unmanned aerial system for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions by day and night for ground forces. In March 2023, Airbus announced

3030-597: Is intended to provide both surveillance and connectivity solutions for months at a time. In May 2016, Airbus and Safran agreed that their joint venture would work on upgrading the M51 submarine-launched ballistic missile to the M51.3 standard for the French Navy. Ariane is a series of a European civilian expendable launch vehicles for space launch operated from 1973 onwards. It is a collaboration between France, Germany and

3131-608: Is to provide wide-area ground and maritime surveillance along with reconnaissance of specific areas. Euro Hawk was based on the Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Block 20/30/40 and was to be equipped with an Airbus Defence and Space-built SIGINT package; it was intended to fulfil Germany's requirement to replace their aging Dassault-Breguet Atlantique electronic surveillance aircraft of the Marineflieger (the German naval air arm). The EADS sensor package

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3232-506: Is €5 billion over budget, 3 to 4 years behind schedule, [and] aerospace experts estimate it is also costing Airbus between €1 billion and €1.5 billion a year." In 2009, Airbus acknowledged that the programme was expected to lose at least €2.4 billion and could not break even without export sales. A PricewaterhouseCoopers audit projected that it would run €11.2 billion over budget, and that corrective measures would result in an overrun of €7.6 billion. On 24 July 2009,

3333-525: The C-130J Super Hercules . With the addition of Alenia of Italy and CASA of Spain, the FIMA group became Euroflag . Project management evaluated twin and quad turbofan engine configurations, a quad propfan configuration, and a quad turboprop configuration, eventually settling on the turboprop option. Since no existing turboprop engine in the western world was powerful enough to reach

3434-614: The C-17 ; it can carry heavier loads than the C-130, and is able to use rough landing strips. Along with the transport role, the A400M can perform aerial refueling and medical evacuation when fitted with appropriate equipment. The CASA C-212 Aviocar is a turboprop -powered STOL medium transport aircraft designed and built by CASA in Spain for civil and military use. C-212s are also produced under license in Indonesia by Indonesian Aerospace (IAe), formerly called IPTN . The design

3535-700: The Eurofighter Typhoon , at the 2024 ILA Berlin Air Show . Airbus Defence and Space has a series of experimental aircraft called Zephyr , to which they are specifically a series of lightweight solar-powered UAV originally designed and built in 2003 by the British company QinetiQ . The development of the aircraft is ongoing and currently part of the Airbus High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) programme. It

3636-528: The Europrop TP400 -D6. United Technologies alleged that the selection was a result of political interference. A Europrop partner executive said in April 2003 that Airbus was close to selecting the P&;WC offer, claiming it was more than €400 million (US$ 436.7 million) cheaper than Europrop's bid. As the original deadline for the engine decision passed, Airbus CEO Noel Forgeard said P&WC's bid

3737-695: The Guiana Space Centre at Kourou in French Guiana . Ariane 5 completed its 74th consecutive successful mission in October 2016. Automated Transfer Vehicle , originally Ariane Transfer Vehicle (ATV), was an expendable cargo spacecraft developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). ATVs supplied the International Space Station (ISS) with propellant, water, air, payloads, and experiments. ATVs also reboosted

3838-662: The Japan Aerospace eXploration Agency (JAXA) to the planet Mercury . The mission comprises two satellites which were launched together: the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO). The mission will perform a comprehensive study on Mercury, including its magnetic field , magnetosphere , interior structure and surface. The launch on an Ariane 5 took place on 20 October 2018. The mission

3939-484: The United States Air Force . The Airbus A400M Atlas is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft . It was designed by Airbus Military (now Airbus Defence and Space) as a tactical airlifter with strategic capabilities to replace older transport aircraft, such as the Transall C-160 and the Lockheed C-130 Hercules . The A400M is positioned, in terms of size, between the C-130 and

4040-462: The 2,700 hours expected to reach certification. In November 2010, the first paratroop jumps were performed. Enders and A400M project manager Bruno Delannoy were among the skydivers. In late 2010, simulated icing tests were performed on the MSN1 flight test aircraft using devices installed on the wing's leading edges . These revealed an aerodynamic issue causing horizontal tail buffeting , resolved via

4141-530: The 2012 Royal International Air Tattoo , the aircraft was officially named "Atlas" In March 2013, the A400M was granted type certification by the EASA, clearing its entry to service. Assembly of the first A400M began at the Seville plant of EADS Spain in early 2007. Major assemblies built at other facilities abroad were brought to the Seville facility by Airbus Beluga transporters. In February 2008, four Europrop TP400-D6 flight test engines were delivered for

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4242-621: The A400M as competing for resources with the A380 and A350 XWB programmes. In June 2009, Lockheed Martin said that both the UK and France had requested details on the C-130J as an alternative to the A400M. In November 2010, Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain and Turkey finalised the contract and agreed to lend Airbus Military €1.5 billion. The programme was then at least three years behind schedule. The UK reduced its order from 25 to 22 aircraft and Germany from 60 to 53, decreasing

4343-431: The A400M's maiden flight was carried out from Seville. In April 2010, the second A400M made its first flight. In July 2010, the third A400M took to the air, at which point the fleet had flown 400 hours over more than 100 flights. In July 2010, the A400M passed ultimate-load testing of the wing. In October 2010, Airbus announced the start of refuelling and air-drop tests. By October 2010, the A400M had flown 672 hours of

4444-569: The Airbus Future Jet Trainer (AFJT), is also being designed to be the FCAS fighter/attack trainer. Airbus Defence and Space also manufactures unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Tracker is a short-range mini UAS/UAV with two low noise electric engines operated by a two-man team. This fully automatic unmanned aircraft can be deployed in all weather conditions, flat terrain, mountainous areas or urban environments. Barracuda

4545-408: The C-130 and can use rough landing strips. In addition to its transport capabilities, the A400M can perform aerial refueling and medical evacuation when fitted with appropriate equipment. The A400M's maiden flight took place on 11 December 2009 from Seville Airport , Spain. Between 2009 and 2010, the A400M faced cancellation as a result of development programme delays and cost overruns; however,

4646-403: The C-130, while able to use rough landing strips. In January 2009, EADS announced that the first delivery was postponed from 2009 until at least 2012, and indicated that it wanted to renegotiate. EADS maintained the first deliveries would begin three years after the first flight. In January 2009, Financial Times Deutschland reported that the A400M was overweight by 12 tons and may not meet

4747-630: The EADS Group (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company) was incorporated. In Spain, it is still referred to as EADS-CASA. The EADS-CASA division Military Transport Aircraft Division (MTA division) was also responsible for the development, production and sales of the leichten- and medium Transport and utility aircraft within the EADS Group. On 16 December 2008, EADS announced that the Military Transport Aircraft Division (MTA division) and Airbus Military SL (AMSL) as

4848-646: The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company. 10 July 2000 was "Day One" for the new company, which became the world's second-largest aerospace company after Boeing and the second-largest European arms manufacturer after BAE Systems. In January 2001 Airbus Industries was transformed from an inherently dysfunctional consortium structure to a formal joint stock company, with legal and tax procedures being finalized on 11 July. On 16 June 2003, EADS acquired BAE's 25 % share in Astrium ,

4949-464: The German parliament decided to employ them in service at Wunstorf in northern Germany instead. In January 2019, the German Minister of Defence Ursula von der Leyen announced that 10 A400Ms were to be used to form a multinational airlift wing based at Lechfeld Air Base in southern Germany. The plan was abandoned in 2022 due to a lack of interest from potential partner nations. In 2019,

5050-521: The L1 launch slot of ESA's Cosmic Vision science programme was announced on 2 May 2012. It is currently in its cruise phase. Venus Express was the first Venus exploration mission of the European Space Agency (ESA). Launched in November 2005, it arrived at Venus in April 2006 and began continuously sending back science data from its polar orbit around Venus. Equipped with seven scientific instruments,

5151-540: The Luftwaffe was later delayed and alternatives, such as a higher integration of European airlift capabilities, were studied. On 29 March 2009, Airbus CEO Tom Enders told Der Spiegel that the programme may be abandoned without changes. OCCAR reminded participating countries that they could terminate the contract before 31 March 2009. In April 2009, the South African Air Force announced that it

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5252-512: The MSN2 flight test aircraft was due to spend a week conducting unpaved runway trials on a grass strip at Cottbus-Drewitz Airport in Germany. Testing was cut short on 23 May, when, during a rejected takeoff test, the left side main wheels broke through the runway surface. Airbus Military stated that it found the aircraft's behaviour was "excellent". The undamaged aircraft returned to Toulouse. At

5353-497: The RAF's Heavy Aircraft Test Squadron confirmed that reliability levels were high for an aircraft so early in its career, and that night vision goggle trials, hot and cold soaking, noise characterization tests and the first tie-down schemes for cargo had already been completed. In March 2015, the RAF's first operational mission occurred, flying cargo to RAF Akrotiri , Cyprus . In September and October 2017, A400Ms from France, Germany and

5454-556: The Russian Roscosmos State Corporation . The plan calls for a Russian launch vehicle, an ESA carrier module and a Russian lander that will deploy the rover to Mars's surface. The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter , launched in 2016, will operate as the rover's data-relay satellite. The spacecraft was scheduled to launch in July 2020. BepiColombo is a joint mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) and

5555-477: The TP400-D6 engine received certification from the EASA. In May 2011, the A400M fleet had totaled 1,600 hours over 500 flights. By September 2011, the total increased to 2,100 hours and 684 flights. Due to a gearbox problem, an A400M was shown on static display instead of a flight demonstration at the 2011 Paris Air Show . By October 2011, the total flight hours had reached 2,380 over 784 flights. In May 2012,

5656-540: The UK participated in the disaster relief operations following Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean , delivering a Puma helicopter, food, water and other aid supply, and evacuating stranded people. In July 2018, the German Luftwaffe used an A400M in combat conditions for the first time, transporting 75 soldiers from Wunstorf Air Base to Mazar-i-Sharif . German Air Force Inspector Ingo Gerhartz called this

5757-513: The UK. The Ariane project was code-named L3S (the French abbreviation for third-generation substitution launcher). The European Space Agency (ESA) charged the EADS subsidiary Astrium , presently Airbus Defence and Space, with the development of all Ariane launchers and of the testing facilities, while Arianespace , a 32.5% CNES commercial subsidiary created in 1980, handles production, operations and marketing. Arianespace launches Ariane rockets from

5858-549: The United Kingdom, Turkey, Belgium, and Luxembourg. These nations decided to charge the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) with the management of the acquisition of the A400M. Following the withdrawal of Italy and revision of procurement totals, the revised requirement was for 180 aircraft. The first flight was forecast to occur in 2008 and the first delivery in 2009. In April 2005, South Africa joined

5959-521: The aircraft before they are hit by the slipstream. On 29 December 2013, the French Air Force performed the A400M's first operational mission: an aircraft flew to Mali in support of Operation Serval . On 10 September 2015, the RAF was declared the A400M fleet leader in terms of flying hours, with 900 hours flown over 300 sorties, achieved by a fleet of four aircraft. Sqn. Ldr. Glen Willcox of

6060-455: The airplane's structure is made of composite materials . The 42.4 m (139 ft) span wing is primarily made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic components, including the wing spars , the 19 m (62 ft) long, 12–14 mm (0.47–0.55 in) thick wingskins, and other parts. The wing weighs about 6,500 kg (14,330 lb), and it can carry and lift up to 25,000 kg (55,116 lb) of fuel. It has an aspect ratio of 8.1,

6161-508: The company have achieved in-flight autonomous guidance and control of a drone using an A310 MRTT. The company stated the aim of the technology is to achieve Autonomous Air-to-Air refueling (A4R) and Autonomous Formation Flight for the development of future aerial operations for both manned and unmanned assets. In June 2024, Airbus unveiled a mock for the Airbus Wingman , an unmanned loyal wingman fighter aircraft designed to accompany

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6262-500: The crew's attempts to control the power setting in the normal way." On 11 June 2015, Spain's Ministry of Defence announced that prototypes could restart test flights and that further permits could be granted soon. The RAF lifted its suspension on A400M flights on 16 June 2015, followed the next day by the Turkish Air Force. On 19 June 2015, deliveries restarted. In June 2016, the French Air Force accepted its ninth A400M,

6363-645: The customer nations chose to maintain their support for the project. A total of 174 A400M aircraft had been ordered by eight nations by July 2011. In March 2013, the A400M received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification and the first aircraft was delivered to the French Air Force in August 2013. The project has its origins in the Future International Military Airlifter (FIMA) group, established in 1982 as

6464-428: The delay. The rescheduled first flight, set for July 2008, was again postponed. Civil certification under EASA CS-25 was followed by certification for military uses. In June 2008, the A400M was rolled out in Seville at an event presided by King Juan Carlos I of Spain. On 12 January 2011, serial production began. In August 2013, the first A400M was delivered to the French Air Force . It was formally handed over during

6565-483: The engine. On 27 July 2016, Airbus confirmed that it took a $ 1 billion charge over delivery issues and export prospects. Enders stated: "Industrial efficiency and the step-wise introduction of the A400M's military functionalities are still lagging behind schedule and remain challenging." Before the first flight, required airborne test time on the Europrop TP400 engine was gained using a C-130 testbed aircraft , which first flew on 17 December 2008. On 11 December 2009,

6666-608: The first A400M. Static structural testing of a test airframe began in March 2008 in Spain. By 2010, Airbus planned to manufacture 30 aircraft per year. The Turkish partner, Turkish Aerospace Industries , delivered the first A400M component to Bremen in 2007. The first flight, originally scheduled for early 2008, was postponed due to delays and financial pressures. EADS announced in January 2008 that engine issues had been responsible for

6767-533: The first capable of conducting tactical tasks such as airdropping supplies. The revised standard includes the addition of cockpit armour and defensive aids system equipment, plus clearance to transfer and receive fuel in-flight. The Airbus A400M provides substantial improvements to payload, range, internal volume and operational capacity over the Transall C-160 and Lockheed C-130 that it replaces or augments. It can carry up to 37 tonnes (41 short tons) over 2,000 nmi (3,700 km; 2,300 mi). The cargo box

6868-555: The frame of the Skynet 5 contract for the UK Ministry of defence became the major constituent of EADS SPACE Services. CASA Espacio became part of EADS Astrium on 1 January 2004. EADS Astrium was the sole shareholder of Infoterra Ltd . On 1 July 2006, the French subsidiary of EADS Astrium, EADS Astrium SAS, merged with other French subsidiaries of EADS Space (especially EADS Space Transportation). EADS Defence & Security Systems

6969-547: The group reorganized under the brand name of "Airbus". The subsidiaries Airbus , Airbus Helicopters and Airbus Defence and Space became operating divisions of the same company. In April 2022, Airbus Defence and Space acquired the German -based cryptography and communication systems company, DSI Datensicherheit GmbH. Airbus Defence and Space is structured into four business lines: Airbus Defence and Space has designed tankers and transport aircraft for military purposes. The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT)

7070-479: The heliosphere?' The Solar Orbiter will make observations of the Sun from an eccentric orbit moving as close as ~60 solar radii (R S ) , or 0.284 astronomical units (AU), placing it inside Mercury 's perihelion of 0.3075 AU and providing it with the closest ever views of the Sun. The ExoMars rover is a planned robotic Mars rover , part of the international ExoMars programme led by the European Space Agency and

7171-608: The investigation. Initial focus was on whether the crash was caused by new fuel supply management software for trimming the fuel tanks to enable certain manoeuvres; Airbus issued an update instructing operators to inspect all Engine Control Units (ECUs). A key scenario examined by investigators is that the torque calibration parameter data was accidentally wiped on three engines during software installation, preventing FADEC operations. On 3 June 2015, Airbus announced that investigators had confirmed "that engines one, two and three experienced power frozen after lift-off and did not respond to

7272-456: The main objective of the mission was the long-term observation of the Venusian atmosphere . The observation over such long periods of time had never been done in previous missions to Venus and was key to a better understanding of the atmospheric dynamics. Mars Express is a space exploration mission being conducted by the European Space Agency (ESA). The Mars Express mission is exploring

7373-532: The merger of the activities of missile systems (LFK), defence electronics, military aircraft and telecommunications of the EADS Group. Tom Enders became the first CEO of the new division. Airbus Defence and Space has its main office in Taufkirchen , Germany and is led by chief executive officer Michael Schoellhorn . The company consists of three program lines: Military Air Systems (MiAS), Connected Intelligence (CI) and Space Systems. The predecessor company

7474-442: The merger, it also acquired the production of Eurofighter Typhoon , which was earlier under Cassidian. Eurocopter , which was previously under Airbus Military, was reorganized as Airbus Helicopters . Astrium was formed in 2000 by the merger of Matra Marconi Space (itself formed from French and British companies) with the space division of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG and Computadores Redes e Ingeniería SA . Henceforth Astrium

7575-415: The oil system, which is safeguarded by a magnetic sensor. Only engines 1 and 3, which have propellers that rotate to the right, were affected. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued an Airworthiness Directive mandating immediate on-wing inspection, followed by replacement if evidence of damage is found. On 27 April 2016, Airbus warned there may be a substantial PGB repair cost. An interim PGB fix

7676-399: The overwhelming majority of multi-engine propeller driven aircraft where all propellers turn in the same direction. The counter-rotation is achieved by the use of a gearbox fitted to two of the engines, and only the propeller turns in the opposite direction. All four engines are identical and turn in the same direction. This eliminates the need to have two different "handed" engines on stock for

7777-468: The planet Mars and is the first planetary mission attempted by the agency. Rosetta was a space probe built by the European Space Agency launched on 2 March 2004. Along with Philae , its lander module, Rosetta performed a detailed study of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko (67P). During its journey to the comet, the spacecraft flew by Mars and the asteroids 21 Lutetia and 2867 Šteins . Airbus A400M The Airbus A400M Atlas

7878-525: The previous design. Based on ESA's Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), the new design is also known as the European service module (ESM). The service module supports the crew module from launch through separation prior to reentry. It provides in-space propulsion capability for orbital transfer, attitude control, and high-altitude ascent aborts. It provides the water and oxygen needed for a habitable environment, generates and stores electrical power, and maintains

7979-482: The primary and secondary flight-control actuators, landing gear, wheel brakes, cargo door and optional hose-and-drogue refuelling system. As with the A380, there is no third hydraulic system. Instead, there are two electrical systems. One is a set of dual-channel electrically powered hydraulic actuators, the other an array of electrically/hydraulically powered hybrid actuators. The dissimilar redundancy provides more protection against battle damage. More than 30 percent of

8080-613: The programme, with the Denel Saab Aerostructures receiving a contract for fuselage components. Malaysia is the second country outside Europe to be involved. Malaysia through CTRM is responsible for manufacturing composite aero components for the aircraft. The A400M is positioned as an intermediate size and range between the Lockheed C-130 and the Boeing C-17 , carrying cargo too large or too heavy for

8181-602: The projected cruise speed of Mach 0.72, a new engine design was required. Originally, the SNECMA M138 turboprop, based on the M88 turbofan core was selected, but this powerplant was found to be incapable of satisfying the requirements. In April 2002, Airbus Military issued a new request for proposal (RFP), which Pratt & Whitney Canada with the PW180 and Europrop International answered. In May 2003, Airbus Military selected

8282-575: The same aircraft, simplifying maintenance and supply costs. This configuration, dubbed down between engines (DBE), allows it to produce more lift and lessens the torque and prop wash on each wing. It also reduces yaw in the event of an outboard engine failure. Due to these benefits, the vertical stabilizer can be reduced by 17 percent in size, while the size of the horizontal stabilizer can be shrunk by 8 percent. A forward-looking infrared enhanced vision system (EVS) camera provides an enhanced terrain view in low-visibility conditions. The EVS imagery

8383-412: The satellite and space system manufacturer, to become the sole owner. EADS paid £84 million for the deal. However, due to the loss-making status of BAE, EADS invested an equal amount for "restructuring". It was subsequently renamed Astrium , and had the divisions Astrium Satellites , Astrium Space Transportation and Astrium Services . On 1 July 2003, EADS Defence and Security Systems was founded with

8484-556: The seven European nations announced that the programme would proceed and formed a joint procurement agency to renegotiate the contract. On 9 December 2009, the Financial Times reported that Airbus requested an additional €5 billion subsidy. In January 2010, Airbus repeated that the A400M may be scrapped, costing it €5.7 billion unless €5.3 billion was added by partner governments, delays had already increased its budget by 25%. Airbus executives reportedly regarded

8585-766: The station into a higher orbit . Columbus is a science laboratory that is part of the International Space Station (ISS) and is the largest single contribution to the ISS made by the European Space Agency (ESA). The functional architecture (including software) of the lab was designed by Airbus Defence and Space in Bremen , Germany where it was also integrated before being flown to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida in an Airbus Beluga . It

8686-400: The temperature of the vehicle's systems and components. This module can also transport unpressurized cargo and scientific payloads. Euclid (developed jointly with Thales Alenia Space ) is a space mission currently under development by the European Space Agency (ESA). The objective of Euclid is to better understand dark energy and dark matter by accurately measuring the acceleration of

8787-541: The total order from 180 to 170. In 2013, France's budget for 50 aircraft was €8.9bn (~US$ 11.7bn) at a unit cost of €152.4M (~US$ 200M), or €178M (~US$ 235M) including development costs. The 2013 French White Paper on Defence and National Security cut the tactical transport aircraft requirement from 70 to 50. As the A400M was unable to perform helicopter in-flight refuelling, France announced in 2016 that it would purchase four C-130Js. In July 2016, French aerospace laboratory ONERA confirmed successful wind tunnel trials of

8888-754: The universe . To achieve this, the spacecraft will measure the redshift of galaxies at varying distances from Earth and investigate the relationship between distance and redshift. LISA Pathfinder , formerly Small Missions for Advanced Research in Technology-2 (SMART-2), is an ESA spacecraft that was launched on 3 December 2015. The mission will test technologies needed for the Evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA), an ESA gravitational wave observatory planned to be launched in 2034. The scientific phase started on 8 March 2016 and will last 6 months. Gaia

8989-654: Was a joint venture between EADS and BAE Systems . On 16 June 2003 the minority shareholder, BAE Systems, sold its 25% share to EADS, making EADS the sole shareholder. Astrium became EADS Astrium Satellites and in a wider restructuring became the major constituent of EADS Astrium , which also included EADS Astrium Space Transportation and EADS Astrium Services . In this restructuring the former Astrium Space Infrastructure division merged with EADS Launchers & Vehicles division to form EADS SPACE Transportation, which became later EADS Astrium Space Transportation. Also, Paradigm Secure Communications , initially created by Astrium in

9090-704: Was approved in February 2007 as part of the Cosmic Vision programme. Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) is an active European Space Agency (ESA) spacecraft designed by Airbus Defence and Space to visit the Jovian system, focused on studying three of Jupiter's Galilean moons : Ganymede , Callisto , and Europa (excluding the more volcanically active Io ). It will characterize these three worlds, all of which are thought to have significant bodies of liquid water beneath their surfaces, making them potentially habitable environments. The selection of this mission for

9191-487: Was certified in July 2016, greatly extending inspection intervals. In May 2016, Airbus confirmed that a cracking behaviour identified during quality control checks in 2011 was found in a French A400M's fuselage part. Not impacting safety, it could be repaired during regular maintenance/upgrade schedules. The aluminium-zinc alloy , known as 7000 series , was used in several central frames. Its chemistry, along with environmental conditions, led to crack propagation. The alloy

9292-481: Was considering alternatives to the A400M due to delays and increased cost. On 5 November 2009, South Africa announced the order's cancellation. On 12 June, The New York Times reported that Germany and France had delayed a decision whether to cancel their orders for six months while the UK planned to decide in late June. The NYT also quoted a report to the French Senate from February 2009, noting: "the A400M

9393-513: Was divested. Subsidiaries and J.V. including Fairchild Communications, Rostock System-Technik, AVdef, ESG and Atlas Electronik were divested. On 18 March 2016 the company decided to sell its defence electronics business (Defence Electronics) based in Ulm to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts , a global investment firm with a wide-ranging portfolio including Hospital Corporation of America , NXP Semiconductors , TDC A/S , and Dollar General . From January 1, 2017.

9494-784: Was established in January 1999 as the Airbus Military Company SAS to manage the Airbus A400M project, taking over from the Euroflag consortium. In May 2003, the company was restructured as Airbus Military Sociedad Limitada (AMSL) prior to the execution of the production contract. The Military Transport Aircraft Division (MTAD) was a division of EADS that designs, manufactures and commercializes EADS-CASA light and medium transport aircraft, headquartered in Madrid , Spain. In 1999, Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA (CASA) in

9595-563: Was excluded from future aircraft. A retrofit to remove it from early A400Ms was considered, which could take up to seven months. On 29 May 2016, Enders conceded in an interview published in Bild am Sonntag that some of the "massive problems" of the A400M were of Airbus' own making: "We underestimated the engine problems...Airbus had let itself be persuaded by some well-known European leaders into using an engine made by an inexperienced consortium." Furthermore, it had assumed full responsibility for

9696-776: Was founded on 1 July 2003. In it, the activities of missile systems (LFK-Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH), defence electronics, military aircraft and telecommunications of the EADS Group were merged. On 17 September 2010 the company name was changed to Cassidian, an amalgamation of the Latin words Cassida (helmet) and meridian. It focused on worldwide protection and security. Cassidian was further subdivided into Missiles (missile systems), defence Electronics (defence electronics, such as sensors, electronics and mission avionics), Cassidian Air Systems (production and maintenance of military aircraft) Defence & Communication Systems (defence and Communications Systems) and Services (military service). In 2012

9797-452: Was initially marketed under the name of Aviocar , a name gradually discontinued by EADS-CASA. The CASA/IPTN CN-235 is a medium-range twin-engine transport aircraft that was jointly developed by Spanish company Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA (CASA) and Indonesian manufacturer IPTN , as a regional airliner and military transport. Its primary military roles include maritime patrol , surveillance , and air transport . Its largest customer

9898-467: Was launched aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis on 7 February 2008 on flight STS-122 . The Orion service module is the service module component of the Orion spacecraft, serving as its primary power and propulsion component until it is discarded at the end of each mission. In January 2013, NASA announced that the European Space Agency (ESA) will construct the service module for Artemis 1 , replacing

9999-479: Was launched with an Atlas V from the Cape Canaveral AFS in Florida at 5:03 Central European Time (CET) on 10 February 2020. SolO is intended to perform detailed measurements of the inner heliosphere and nascent solar wind , and perform close observations of the polar regions of the Sun, which is difficult to do from Earth , both serving to answer the question 'How does the Sun create and control

10100-422: Was nearly 20 percent less expensive and declared that "As of today Pratt and Whitney is the winner without doubt, a much lower offer could make us change our minds.", inviting Europrop to revise its offering, which it reportedly reduced in price by 10 or 20 percent. A later report described the revised bid as exceeding P&WC's bid by €120 million. The original partner nations were France, Germany, Italy, Spain,

10201-507: Was the electronics division of General Electric Company . The merger of British Aerospace and MES to form BAE Systems was announced on 19 January 1999 and completed on 30 November. DASA and the Spanish aircraft company CASA agreed to merge on 11 June 1999. On 14 October 1999 DASA agreed to merge with Aérospatiale (which had itself merged with the French conglomerate Matra to become Aérospatiale-Matra earlier that year) to create

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