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 EPI Europrop International GmbH (EPI) has received type
certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
for the TP400-D6 engine that powers the A400M military
transport aircraft. It is the first large turboprop engine
to have been certified by EASA and the first military engine
to have been certified by EASA to civil standards from the
outset.
Certification completes airworthiness approvals by EASA and
is the result of an intensive series of safety, endurance
and performance tests. Since the first engine run in late
2005 the TP400 has completed all major development testing,
as well as achieving over 12,000 running hours, around 8,000
of which have come during the A400M flight test programme.
During development testing the engine demonstrated
exceptional performance operating at sea-level and altitude
conditions. It also proved its ability to cope with bird
strike, ice and water ingestion. Testing was undertaken at a
variety of open air, indoor and altitude facilities at six
locations across Europe – Ludwigsfelde in Germany, Istres
and Saclay in France, Ajalvir and Moron in Spain and Liers
in Belgium. In addition, engine integration and initial in-flight
performance was also tested on an Airbus Military Flying
Test Bed aircraft at Marshall Aerospace in the UK.
Commenting on engine certification Simon Henley, President
of Europrop International, said:
“This marks a significant and positive milestone in the
development of the world’s most advanced turboprop engine.
The TP400 has demonstrated its excellent performance through
a series of intensive bench and flight test programmes and
we are more confident than ever that it will bring a
significant improvement in operational capability to
customers when it enters service in the A400M.
“In the meantime, we continue to concentrate our efforts on
supporting the A400M flight test programme, where we have
now achieved over 500 flights and the engine is
demonstrating excellent levels of performance”.
EPI Technical Director Martin Maltby said:
"Certifying the TP400 has presented a series of unique
challenges due to the high power of the engine and the
leading-edge technology that is incorporated within its
design; technology which has enabled it to meet all its
performance and weight goals. Today's achievement is a
testament to the innovation and dedication of the teams from
EPI and its parent companies and to the support of EASA and
our customer, Airbus Military."
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