Airbus conducts helicopter refuelling certification campaign
April 21, 2021
The A400M performs simultaneous refuelling operations of two French Air Force H225M. (Photo: Airbus)
The Airbus A400M airlifter recently completed a majority of development and certification objectives as part of its helicopter air-to-air refuelling certification campaign. Airbus Defence and Space aims to achieve full helicopter air-to-air refuelling certification later this year with the conclusion of all mandatory night operation trials.
Helicopter air-to-air refuelling is a unique military capability and key for Special Forces operations, explains Airbus, involving aircraft with different flight profiles and sharing a very limited common flight envelope, requiring close formation flying patterns at low altitudes and night time conditions.