Joined T & E; Intro of the A400M into the French AF

François Meignien, Flight Test Engineer, DGA Essais en vol - site de Cazaux, France
Guillaume Henneguez, Experimental Test Pilot, CEAM – EM ATT, France

Abstract

In the two last years, the French A400M fleet has grown to eight aircraft and more than 3,000 flight hours have been performed, mostly delivering logistical support to the French forces engaged on various theaters. These missions have been completed within the scope of a first logistical capability approval, which needed to be expanded to gain full advantage of the spec- trum of operational capabilities of the A400M. Yet, the lack of air transport assets in the FAF, along with increased costs for chartered aircraft, put a tremendous pressure on the Atlas fleet. A high level of performance was therefore required from the test and evaluation teams to ac- complish the T&E plan without impending availability.

The large logistic footprint of the Atlas and the complexity of the aircraft implied that the T&E personnel would have to operate from the same base as the first airlift squadron, and that they would have to be dedicated to the A400M. From these constraints, it became quickly clear that the French Air Force Air Warfare Center and DGA Flight Testing would have to work on a common test and evaluation program.

This paper intends to describe how the two organizations worked together despite their intrin- sic differences in order to reach the level of efficiency required without compromising safety. From the drafting of a common test plan to the delivery of new operational capabilities to the front line operator, many challenges had to be overcome. Differences were found in culture, applicable regulations, base of operations, and chains of commands while the only common denominator was the overall objective. Yet, the teams successfully dealt with these challeng- es, as proven by common operations performed throughout the year 2015. As Airbus Defence and Space continues to deliver aircraft and additional tactical capabilities, this common work will be essential into bringing quickly the Atlas to its fully operational status.