Why were turboprops chosen?
ADOLFO GUTIERREZ MONTERO (AGM): Turboprops were selected to power the A400M aircraft because they provide the optimum combination of take-off and landing performance, cruise efficiency, tactical field performance, steep descents and air-dropping. The increased operational flexibility allows the A400M aircraft to operate at remote locations from relatively short, unprepared runways for both military and humanitarian missions. Additionally, the turboprops will give more ground manoeuvring capability including an increased reverse thrust compared with equivalent turbofans. The increased efficiency of the turboprop over comparable turbofans means that less fuel is burnt during the mission leading to lower operating costs and optimised payload for the benefit of the end user. Therefore, in the selection process the turboprop won “hands down” over the turbofan in the race to power the A400M aircraft.

What is innovative about the A400M powerplant?
AGM: The A400M powerplants will achieve a maximum power of around 11 000 SHP and will clearly be the western world’s largest turboprop. The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) is the “brain” of the powerplant and will control the engine, the propeller and the nacelle systems. The first demonstration of this capability was the successful completion of the milestone for our customer, OCCAR, where the First Engine and Propeller to Test (FEPTT), as expected, ran successfully. Additionally, the advanced control system will incorporate a number of other advanced and innovative features including the ability to permit synchrophasing of the propellers for low cabin interior noise.
From the global perspective current turboprop powered aircraft typically operate at speeds around 0.6 M but the advanced aerodynamic design of the A400M propeller blades will permit operation of the A400M aircraft at higher subsonic speeds.

Is it on schedule for October 2007 certification?
AGM: The First Engine to Test (FETT) successfully met the schedule towards the end of last year, and more recently the First Engine and Propeller to Test (FEPTT) ran on schedule on 23 th February 2006. Both of these key suppliers: EPI for the engine and Ratier Figeac for the propeller, have risen to the challenges of this programme and successfully met all their major milestones and commitments to Airbus Military and OCCAR, and Airbus Military has every confidence that the powerplants will be certified on schedule.

Are there any powerplants currently available that can match the TP400 and FH386 propeller performance?
AGM: Both EPI and Ratier Figeac have used the latest state-of-the-art technologies to develop the highly efficient components for the A400M powerplants. The A400M powerplants will provide high efficiency and hence low mission fuel burn. There are no comparable turboprops in the western world in this thrust class and those available in Russia are designed to a different set of criteria and therefore cannot be compared.