Airbus Sets A400M Production Plans
Airbus Military is setting a gradual production rate ramp-up for the A400M airlifter now that the industrial launch of the program has officially been approved by the project’s management.
Still pending, however, is the full government authorization in the guise of a new contract. Industry and government officials have worked out a revised contract to cover cost overruns and schedule delays. An agreement has largely been reached, but terms with two more states remain to be completed regarding support for an export levy facility. Those talks have been dragging on; and EADS, in announcing 2010 full-year results, says they are still to be completed this year.
The industrial launch clears the way for the order of long-lead items and equipment.
Airbus Military plans to build the first four series production A400Ms in 2012. It will then slowly boost output to 2.5 airlifters in 2015. The industrial launch followed a detailed program review, the company says. The company has 174 airlifters on order.
When the first export production slots may be available has not been fully set and will depend on the exact delivery schedules worked out with customers.
The first A400M is to be delivered to the French air force in late 2012 or early 2013, roughly three years after the start of flight trials. The company still plans to attain civil certification for the airlifter this year.
As part of the programmatic changeover, Airbus Military also has restructured the program’s leadership, which is to take effect April 1. Cedric Gautier, president and chief executive of EADS’s Sogerma unit, will now manage day-to-day affairs. Rafael Tentor, the program leader for the past four years of development, will move on to manage the other Airbus Military programs, such as the A330 Multirole Tanker Transport, as well as the C212, CN235 and C295 light airlifters. He will take over that role from Javier Matallanos.
Photo: Mark Wagner
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