A400M progresses helicopter AAR certification

摘要

Airbus Defence and Space (DS) has progressed helicopter air-to-air refuelling (AAR) certification for its A400M tanker-transport aircraft, the company announced on 19 April. The certification tests saw the airlifter complete "the majority of its development and certification objectives", Airbus DS said, adding that it hopes to achieve full helicopter AAR certification later this year with the conclusion of all mandatory night operation trials. "The flight tests, performed in co-ordination with the French Direction generale de l'armement (DGA), involved operations with two French Air Force [Airbus Helicopters] H225M helicopters. "The campaign took place in day and night conditions over the west coast of France at between 1,000 ft and 10,000 ft and flight speeds as low as 105 kt. During those flights, a total of 81 wet contacts and transfers of 6.5 tonnes ol fuel were achieved, which include! simultaneous refuelling of two helicopters for the first time. The tests confirmed the positive results of the dry and wet contact operations conducted in 2019 and 2020," the company said.