Airbus Military says preliminary work to assess the A400M's ability to manoeuvre under rough field conditions was successful.

Conducted late last month at Francazal air base – a former military airfield near Toulouse, France – the process involved using MSN003, one of the programme's development aircraft, performing fast taxi trials with chalk pellets scattered on the ground.

 A400M debris trial - Airbus Military
© A Doumenjou/Airbus Military

“The work was designed to ensure that the aircraft and procedures are ready for the eventual test programme at a location yet to be selected,” says Airbus.

An A400M should make the type's first landing on an unpaved runway before the end of the year.

Source: FlightGlobal.com