EADS unveiled the A400M military aircraft to the public for the first time

EADS unveiled the A400M military aircraft to the public for the first time, in Seville. The A400M’s official roll-out ceremony, in the meantime, is scheduled for June 26. Carlos Suarez, CEO of EADS-Casa and managing director of Airbus Military, the EADS subsidiary in charge of the A400M military transport aircraft programme, confirmed that the aircraft’s maiden flight would take place on July 31, as scheduled. Yet, he admitted that “there are still a few risks” looming over the programme. The engine tests are now proceeding normally and the first system tests have not revealed any major issue so far. But the flying test bed is running a little late, says Les Echos. This is why Mr Suarez said the company preferred to speak of a target “in the summer” for the first flight. The A400M is already running 12 months behind its original schedule, recalls the press. “It was probably not wise to launch such a large-scale programme with a new engine development”, acknowledged Mr Suarez. He revealed that the company would not be able to start the flight test campaign with the final production engines as the final engine configuration will in fact not be ready until next year. In spite of the risks, however, Mr Suarez affirmed that the aircraft was “one of its kind” and said the company would consider targeting the US market. However, he declined to comment further on current discussions with already-existing customers over the delays, which could lead to compensation. According to Spanish daily Expansion, EADS is not ready to be the only one to assume the cost overruns caused by the accumulated delays. The group reportedly admitted it was renegotiating the contract with the eight European countries, including Spain, who launched the programme. For his part, Peter Scoffham, head of marketing for the A400M, was very enthusiastic about the aircraft’s future. He expects that 200 to 400 units will be sold within the next 20 years. AFP (22/04), AFX (22/04), Bloomberg (22/04), Les Echos, Le Figaro Economie, Borsen-Zeitung, Handelsblatt, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Financial Times Deutschland, Suddeutsche Zeitung, Financial Times, El Pais, Expansion