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The TP400-D6 engine has achieved another programme development milestone with the successful completion of its bird strike test. The engine has also recently completed a water ingestion test and attained the required 150 hours of cyclic endurance running under loads for the power gearbox.
The TP400 engine is being developed and produced by Europrop International (EPI) to power the new Airbus A400M military transport aircraft.
The bird strike test, which measures the engine’s ability to cope with the impact of a bird weighing 1.85kg, was performed successfully at Techspace Aero’s (SAFRAN Group) test bed in Liers, Belgium. The TP400 recovered after the ingestion to produce over 80 per cent power.
The test, which was witnessed by the European Aviation Safety Agency, contributes to the certification process of the engine. The water ingestion test, which validates the integrity of the engine after the ingestion, was also completed at the same facility.
In addition, 150 cyclic endurance hours have been completed on the power gearbox rig at Avio’s test facility in Sangone, Italy.
Nick Durham, President of EPI, said: “These recent programme achievements are clearly contributing to confidence in the engine as we work towards the achievement of flight clearance and certification.”
In parallel to the extensive ground test programme, which currently involves six active test sites around Europe, EPI is also supporting Airbus Military to prepare for the first flight of the Flying Test Bed engine on a converted C-130 aircraft at Marshall Aerospace in Cambridge and on the integration of the engines onto the first A400M aircraft in the AMSL Final Assembly Line in Seville.
Background Information
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. More than 800 engines will be required for the 192 A400M aircraft ordered to date by nine countries.
Europrop International
