The all-composite wing of the new Airbus Military A400M airlifter has passed the ultimate-load up-bend test – the critical static test required for certification.
During the test, performed in the presence of two representatives of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the wing was subjected to a load equal to 150 per cent of the maximum bending load (limit load) predicted to be encountered in service.
The wingtips of the full-size A400M static test specimen moved upwards 1.41m (4.6ft) during the test which was completed at Airbus Military’s Getafe, Madrid facility on 22 July.
“This successful test represents a major achievement for the A400M program on its route to certification,” Senior Vice President A400M Chief Engineer Alain Cassier said.
The A400M wing is assembled at the Airbus plant at Filton, Bristol (UK).
The static test program will continue in Madrid, Spain until mid-2011, while full-scale fatigue tests will be conducted on another test specimen in Dresden, Germany beginning later in 2010.