A400M takes shape

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.

For Airbus workers at Filton, the next step is to carry out comprehensive measurements of the wing before beginning the 'equipping phase' - when the wing will be fitted with hydraulic, pneumatic, fuel and electrical systems and the flying control surfaces. For the first and five subsequent sets of wings, and also for the fatigue and static test wings, equipping also includes the fitting of additional instrumentation and equipment for use later during the flight and ground testing of the whole aircraft.

In the next few weeks the port wing will be joined in the equipping phase by the first starboard wing. After equipping and full testing, the wings will be delivered from Filton to the A400M aircraft final assembly line in

on the A300-600ST Beluga aircraft.