Keywords
Citation
(2006), "Programme reaches milestone", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 78 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2006.12778dab.035
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Programme reaches milestone
Programme reaches milestone
Keywords: Military aircraft, Aerospace industry
Airbus Military recently achieved its fifth contractual milestone on schedule with the successful demonstration run of the First Engine with Propeller for the A400M military airlifter.
The demonstration to the customer, which took place at the Snecma engine test facility at Istres in southern France under the technical responsibility of the engine and propeller suppliers, Europrop International (EPI) and Ratier-Figeac, respectively, was the most spectacular event yet in the on- going A400M aircraft development programme.
The powerplant consists of EPI's TP400-D6 engine fitted with Ratier- Figeac's FH386 propeller. The three- shaft, high-performance gas turbine engine and the 5.3m diameter, eight- bladed, composite propeller, give a combined power output of some 11,000 shaft-horsepower. The TP400- D6/FH386 combination constitutes the most powerful turboprop power plant in the western world and will enable the A400M to attain cruising speeds and altitudes equivalent to today's jet powered aircraft.
The choice of a turboprop engine design to power the A400M was made on the basis of providing optimum performance and fuel economy across the wide spectrum of operational tasks that the aircraft will be required to carry out. These range from low speed, low altitude aerial delivery to high speed, high altitude refuelling of fast jets whilst retaining the capability for autonomous ground manoeuvres as well as fast, intercontinental logistic deployment.