Airbus Military has successfully performed simulated air-to-air refueling (AAR) of the new generation A400M airlifter from a C-160 Transall tanker of the French Air Force.

The two aircraft conducted 20 “dry contacts”, in which no fuel is passed, including one lasting 12 minutes - representative of a normal refueling operation.

It is expected that “wet contacts” will take place in the first quarter of next year. T

he A400M has now successfully performed refueling contacts with a VC10 of the Royal Air Force, the C-160, and an Airbus Military A330 MRTT new generation tanker/transport.

The A400M is the most versatile airlifter currently available responding to the most varied needs of world Air Forces and other organizations in the 21st century. It can perform three very different types of duties: it is able to perform both tactical missions directly to the point of need and long range strategic/logistic ones. And it can also serve as an air-to-air refueling “tanker”.

Powered by 4 unique counter-rotating Europrop International (EPI) TP400 turboprop powerplants, the A400M offers a wide flight envelope in terms of both speed and altitude. It is the ideal airlifter to fulfill the most varied requirements of any nation around the globe in terms of military, humanitarian and any other “civic” mission for the benefit of society.

The A400M was launched in 2003 to respond to the combined needs of seven European Nations regrouped within OCCAR (Belgium, France, Germany, Luxemburg, Spain, Turkey and the UK), with Malaysia joining in 2005. This is one of the major reasons for its extreme versatility. Its maiden flight took place on 11th December 2009.

The photo shows the A400M refueling from the C-160 in the latest trials.