TP400 fix nearing completion

MTU has announced that the final fix for the A400M engine gearbox problem will be installed beginning in September. They will only install them on new aircraft, as the temporary fix installed last year will push the gearbox life past 1,000 hours, as opposed to the 650 initially.

Rig tests have been completed, but development work is ongoing. The objective is to fit the gearbox without it causing premature overhaul of the engine.

www.flightglobal.com...

a reply to: Zaphod58

Airbus needs desperately for this to work. Maybe they should have gone with their own preference for the Canadian engines at the genesis of the project rather than insisting on a European developed option.

The A400M is hammering Airbus stock (7 Billion in write-offs to date) and Airbus are talking about the possibility of another "bailout" similar to the 2010 deal. Airbus is asking for a relaxation of late delivery penalties and Germany, for one, is in no mood to give them that break or relax any accountability measures.

Germany, France et.al. are vehemently against the second bailout. Germany is (was?) the largest customer for the A400M.

That said, I think everyone involved really didnt expect a Fixed Cost Contract (20 Billion) for such a massive endeavour would ever work out.

The A400M is an ambitious project.