Airbus Military is ramping up preparations for first flight of the A400M transport aircraft, including achieving power-on with the four TP400D turboprops simultaneously several days ahead of schedule.

But discussions unfolding in parallel between A400M buyers over how to renegotiate the loss-making development and production contract with Airbus Military are failing to advance. On Nov. 19, senior defense ministry officials for the core A400M buyers met in Berlin to map out how the program should proceed. France has been pushing partners to provide financial and technical relief to industry, but Germany, for instance, is insisting that existing terms be met. What's more, the new German defense minister, Karl-Theodor Freiherr zu Guttenberg, is looking for a sign of goodwill from Airbus Military parent EADS.

The meeting among government representatives ended with little agreement beyond a commitment to try to come to terms by year-end. Germany will host another round of talks in December. A delay in talks will mean that unless ground runs encounter problems, the A400M will enter flight testing with its contractual future undetermined. And, Airbus Military has said it cannot continue executing the program under the existing structure.

During the Nov. 18 milestone power-on at Seville, Spain, all engines ran at low power settings, with plans to increase thrust soon afterward. Airbus Military says inspections of engine cowls after the test showed no hot-air or fluid leaks. The transport's auxiliary power unit was used to start the engines. The European Aviation Safety Agency has already approved the engines for first flight.

Photo credit: Airbus Military