Europrop International (EPI) completed the preliminary design review of the Airbus Military A400M's TP400-D6 turboprop engine last month, clearing the way for detailed design and certification testing. First ground tests of the 11,000shp (8,220kW) engine will take place in August 2005 ahead of the first flight of the A400M in November 2007. The four-nation EPI consortium will produce more than 750 engines for the 180 A400M transports now on order.
Source: Flight International
The January incident at Ellsworth AFB resulted in the destruction of the $450 million bomber and a rare quadruple ejection of the crew, who were attempting to execute an instrument landing during poor weather.
Athens signed a long-sought letter of offer and acceptance with airframer Lockheed Martin covering 20 F-35 stealth fighters, with options for a further 20 jets.
The joint North American Aerospace Defense Command dispatched fighter aircraft from both the USA and Canada on 24 July to intercept a combined flight of bombers from Russia and China operating in international airspace around Alaska.
