France's first A400M begins final assembly
Airbus Military has begun final assembly of the first A400M that will be delivered to a customer – the French Air Force. The programme milestone follows the launch of A400M series production last February. Airbus Military made the announcement in a 23 November 2011 company statement.
According to the company, the fuselage for this aircraft, known as MSN7, arrived at the final assembly line in Seville, Spain, on board an Airbus Beluga. The wings and nose arrived some days earlier and the integration of the central box and outer wings has already begun. The horizontal tailplane (HTP) is expected next week and the vertical tailplane (VTP) in two weeks time.
Airbus Military is expected to deliver the first aircraft to France around the turn of the year 2012/2013.
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