Airbus Looks To the US in Search of A400M Buyers
"......Airbus expects two planes to have flown 100 hours by June 24 to test an interim Avio propeller gearbox replacing the present system. “Cracking is not a safety issue,” Alonso said. “Safety is guaranteed by inspection intervals.” Once the interim fix is installed, the gearbox will be inspected every 600 flight hours compared to the current 20 hours. A long-term solution of a new gearbox from General Electric and Italian subisidary Avio is expected to be delivered next year......
French aerospace lab Onera has conducted research and development to find an aerial refueling system for helicopters, a key French requirement, said Miguel Angel Morell, head of engineering at Airbus DS. The plan is to flight-test a small-diameter fuel hose up to 120 feet in length by the end of the year, extending it from the standard 80-90 feet. A longer hose is needed to allow helicopter pilots to see the tailplane during the fuel transfer and cut the turbulence of flying behind the four powerful TP-400 turboprop engines from Europrop International. Airbus DS is working with Airbus Helicopter for the test flight..........
There is a modification of installing a small step to allow 116 paratroopers to jump from both sides of the fuselage, with 58 from each side door. A full test jump of 116 troops is due by the end of the year. These would be alternate jumps, with work ongoing to enable a simultaneous jump from both doors.
Airbus seems unlikely to bid in a US tender for a second batch of air tankers. There is little interest for the Air Force to fly two types of aircraft, said Jean-Pierre Talamoni, head of sales and marketing........"