![A400M](http://thewofa.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/A400M-7-31-2013-300x181.jpg)
Airbus Military’s A400M airlifter achieved initial operating clearance on July 31, paving the way for the delivery of the first aircraft to the French air force.
The firstA400M to be delivered – MSN7 – represents the culmination of 10 years of development by Airbus Military and more than 5,000 flight-test hours and involving close to 40,000 people working on program. The first aircraft will initially be used for the continuing training of aircrew before becoming part of the French air force operational transport fleet.
The delivery was preceded by the A400M obtaining inital operating clearance from the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), representing the program’s seven European launch nations Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Read more about the A400M in the latest issue of Australian Aviation.