The ZM403, the third British A400M at home

(B2) From its small name, it is called ZM403.... It is the third A400M, the new military transport plane from Airbus, to display the roundel of the Royal Air Force (RAF). And he joined "the house", landing on the night of Sunday to Monday (July 6), on the base of Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire after a 2 hour and 1 hour flight from Spain, where the European device is assembled.

Before the break in flights in May / June, due to the accident in Seville (read: Crash of an A400M in Seville), the first two British Atlas A400Ms have already flown more than 405 hours,” says the RAF. And the first plane - the "City of Bristol" - carried out " its first operational mission to Cyprus in March ».

The aircraft will participate first to low intensity operations " But " once all UK requirements have been met, it will be able to provide high altitude airdrop and refueling, high precision airdrop and have advanced self-defense capabilities.”.

NB: The United Kingdom has placed an order for 22 A400M aircraft for an overall cost of participation in the program of 2,75 billion pounds.

(NGV)