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Luxembourg Armed Forces A400M Makes Its Maiden Flight

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Luxembourg Armed Forces A400M Makes Its Maiden Flight

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The Airbus A400M new-generation airlifter ordered by the Luxembourg Armed Forces has made its maiden flight, marking a key milestone towards its delivery. The aircraft, known as MSN104, took off from Seville (Spain), where the final assembly line is located, at 16:08 local time (CET) and landed back on site 5 hours later. The Luxembourg aircraft will be operated by the armed forces of Belgium and Luxembourg within a binational unit based in Belgium. MSN104 is scheduled to be delivered in the second quarter of 2020.

Luxembourg Armed Forces A400M Makes Its Maiden Flight
Luxembourg Armed Forces A400M Makes Its Maiden Flight

The Airbus A400M Atlas is a European, four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. It was designed by Airbus Military (now Airbus Defence and Space) as a tactical airlifter with strategic capabilities to replace older transport aircraft, such as the Transall C-160 and the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. The A400M is positioned, in terms of size, between the C-130 and the C-17; it can carry heavier loads than the C-130 and is able to use rough landing strips. Along with the transport role, the A400M can perform aerial refuelling and medical evacuation when fitted with appropriate equipment.

Luxembourg Armed Forces A400M Makes Its Maiden Flight
Luxembourg Armed Forces A400M Makes Its Maiden Flight

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