How to build an A400M
Have you ever wondered how the A400M is built?
With production underway for the 100th aircraft, Airbus is providing an exclusive, ongoing look behind the curtain – taking you inside the various European facilities as this milestone A400M comes together over the months ahead.
Building the 100th A400M
In a series of videos Airbus will show how the A400M next-generation versatile airlifter is built - from the production and assembly of structural components to the finishing touches, like painting, until it’s ready for its maiden flight.
Watch the last video in the series: Best of
Watch an A400M come together from start to finish – beginning with the production and build-up of its key structural components, and continuing through the final tests before delivery.
From start to finish: building the A400M
Watch all the videos in the series!
Pre-Assembly
Discover Integrating key structures
Discover the key structures in Tablada
Discover the Radome in Nantes
Discover the painting in Bremen
Discover the "DRAS Test" in Bremen
Discover the Implementing Mixer in Bremen
Discover Hydraulic lines in Stade
Transport with Beluga
Discover the arrival of the wings in San Pablo
Discover the loading into the Beluga
Assembly
Winging it
Wing testing at Station 70
Discover Beluga delivers
The A400M’s “nose job”
Digital tools ensure high quality
Tail and wings assembly
The most modern functional digital test system
Time for dataloading
Testing, testing…
Installation station
Inside the paint shop
First Flight
Advanced, proven and certified
Airbus’ A400M is a success story more than 15 years in the making. Launched in 2003 to respond to the combined needs of multiple European nations, this next-generation airlifter entered service a decade later and has since demonstrated unmatched versatility on military and humanitarian missions around the globe.
Production and delivery of the milestone 100th aircraft is a major milestone for the A400M, which to date has been provided to the military forces of France, Germany, Malaysia, the UK, Spain and Turkey – with future deliveries planned for Belgium and Luxembourg, as well.
Airbus sites supporting production of the 100th A400M
