Paratroopers from the French Air Force have recently completed static line parachute jumps from the A400M military transporter.

Airbus Defense and Space organised the static line parachuting tests to validate the aircraft’s paratrooper delivery capability.

The Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation-Executive Administration's (OCCAR-EA) A400M Programme Division and its Technical Section supervised the campaign to evaluate the military operation.

During the trial, 30 paratroopers jumped in a row from a lateral door in the clear sky above Tarbes (Pyrénées).

The parachute drops were performed with a high-cadence and at low-altitude of 1000ft to test the jump sequence.

During the test campaign, 15 flights in total were performed.

"The air force and the French Armament Agency (DGA) provided up to 60 paratroopers, 300 parachutes and ground installation to support the campaign."

This certification campaign is a result of OCCAR-EA and the A400M Participating States’ efforts to support the development and fine tuning of the aircraft’s aerial delivery features to achieve the highest standard of safety.

The air force and the French Armament Agency (DGA) provided up to 60 paratroopers, 300 parachutes and ground installation to support the campaign.

The campaigns for aerial delivery of paratroopers and loads will continue over the next months, to further extend the capability of the A400M aircraft.

Designed to meet the requirements of the air forces of Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Turkey, Luxembourg and the UK, the A400M has long-range and high-cruise speed for rapid and flexible deployment.

Image: Paratroopers jumping in a row from A400M military transporter. Photo: courtesy of French MoD (DGA – Délégation Générale de l’Armement).