Europrop International clears TP400 engines for taxi trials

16 November 2009

Europrop International (EPI) has achieved a major milestone on the path to the first flight of the Airbus A400M military transport aircraft by clearing the TP400 engines for taxi trials.

The four TP400 engines and supporting flight management software have already been installed on the first flight test aircraft at the Airbus Military facility ins Seville, Spain.

Commenting on this milestone, EPI President Nick Durham said:
"This latest step in the development programme demonstrates our confidence in its maturity and capability. We have reached this point thanks to a huge collaborative effort between EPI, our partner companies and the team at Airbus Military.

"We have now accumulated around 3,500 hours of ground testing on the TP400 and completed a successful test programme on the Flying Test Bed which have proved that the engine performs in line with expectations."

Notes for Editors

EPI Europrop International GmbH was created by four leading European aero-engine companies - Industria de Turbo Propulsores, MTU Aero Engines, Rolls-Royce and Snecma (SAFRAN Group) - to manage the TP400 engine programme.

Designed to power the Airbus Military A400M military transport, the TP400 will be the most powerful turboshaft engine to enter service in the West. It features a three-shaft configuration and will deliver a maximum power output of 11,000 shaft horsepower.

For further information, please contact:

Nick Britton
Tel: +44 117 979 59 43

Jane Terry
Tel: +44 75 28 97 55 83