Italy's Umbra Group is ready to launch the production of prop brakes for the Europrop International TP400-D6 turboprop engines powering Airbus Military's A400M tactical transport.

Twenty aircraft sets have already been supplied by the company, for use during certification-phase activities with the 11,000shp (8,200kW) engine. "We are ready," says chief engineer Frederico Perni.

The company will produce the equipment for integration with production aircraft for all A400M customers, bar Spain, as a bolt-on addition following its integration with propulsion system software, says EPI.

Adding a prop brake will remove the need for A400M operators to secure the type's more than 5m (16.4ft)-diamter Ratier-Figeac propellers while the transport is parked on the ground.

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Source: Flight Daily News