Airbus A400M Conducts Helicopter Air-to-Air Refuelling Certification Campaign

The Airbus A400M has successfully conducted a major helicopter air-to-air refuelling certification campaign, completing the majority of its development and certification objectives.

The flight tests, performed in coordination with the French Armament General Directorate (DGA), involved operations with two French Air Force H225M helicopters.

The campaign took place in day and night conditions over the west coast of France at between 1,000 ft and 10,000 ft and flight speeds as low as 105 knots.

During the flights, a total of 81 wet contacts and transfers of 6.5 tonnes of fuel were achieved, which included simultaneous refuelling of two helicopters for the first time.

The tests confirmed the positive results of the dry and wet contact operations conducted in 2019 and 2020.

Helicopter air-to-air refuelling is an unique military capability and key for Special Forces operations, involving aircraft with different flight profiles and sharing a very limited common flight envelope, requiring close formation flying patterns at low altitudes and night time conditions.

With this capability the A400M becomes one of the few tanker aircraft in the world capable of such operations. The multi-purpose H225M is also one of the few helicopters in the world capable of in-flight refuelling, extending the standard 700 NM range by up to 10 hours flight time.

A400M as Tanker

Carrying up to 50.8 tonnes of fuel in its wings and centre wing box, without compromising any cargo hold area, two additional cargo hold tanks can also be installed, providing an additional 5.7 tonnes of fuel each.

The separate cargo-hold tanks allows for the use of different types of fuel, enabling the A400M to cater for the needs of different types of receiver aircraft.

As a tanker, the A400M has already demonstrated its ability to refuel fighter receivers such as Eurofighter, Rafale, Tornado or F/A-18 at their preferred speeds and altitudes, and is also able to refuel other large aircraft such as another A400M for buddy refuelling, C295 or C-130.

Airbus Defence and Space aims to achieve full helicopter air-to-air refuelling certification later this year with the conclusion of all mandatory night operation trials.

HD Video Tour of an Airbus A400M in Bangkok, Thailand

HD video tour of Grizzly 4, an Airbus A400M which was in Bangkok, Thailand, on 19 April 2012. The Airbus Military A400M was in Thailand for the very first time, and took part in the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the Royal Thai Air Force - "The Centennial of the RTAF Founding Fathers' Aviation". The visit was the final leg of the A400M's first Asia Pacific Tour during which it had already visited Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Chiang Mai before returning to Europe after the stop in Bangkok. See more: Pictures of the Airbus A400M (2 pages).

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