A400M takes shape

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The first set of wings for the first A400M military transport aircraft passed a milestone when the first whole wing was removed from its assembly jig at Airbus' Filton site.

The first set of wings for the first

military transport aircraft - MSN001 - passed a major milestone when the first whole wing was removed from its assembly jig at

site. The wing is the first-ever wing for an Airbus-built aircraft constructed largely from composite materials (carbon fibre reinforced plastic, CFRP) and is believed to be the largest composite wing ever made.

The 23 metre long by four metre wide port wingbox, weighing around three tonnes, was removed from its assembly 'jig' by overhead crane. This was the first time the removal procedure had been carried out and it involved a team of ten workers.

Final assembly of the first wing components began four months ago on 20th July. On September 21st the wing featured in the formal opening of the new £70m A400M Wing Manufacturing Centre by the UK's Minister for Defence Procurement, Lord Drayson.

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