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Airbus remains committed to its troubled A400M tactical transport, despite the financial pressure that the project is causing, says group chief executive Tom Enders.

Speaking during an Airbus investor conference in London during the show, Enders described the A400M’s development and production issues as “a never-ending saga”, with its latest challenge concerning the Europrop International TP400 engine’s propeller gearbox. Operators were required to conduct inspections after every 20 flight hours and replace the affected part every 100h; a situation which he says was “absolutely untenable, and operationally a nightmare.”

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Enders reveals that an interim fix for a gearbox component cracking issue has been certificated by the European Aviation Safety Agency. This will allow the component life to be increased to 650h, and he says: “then hopefully we can further increase that, to 1,000h and more.”

Talks were held with supplier Avio Aero and its parent company GE Aviation during the show, and Enders says: “I’m convinced that our partners, and particularly GE, are putting in all effort that they can to increase the reliability of the engine.” This includes work on a planned “Pack 2” enhancement for the propeller gearbox.

Enders says he cannot rule out Airbus reporting additional charges against the A400M, although discussions over liquidated damages “aren’t going to be finalised any time soon”.

Noting that the company has “no way back” on the programme, he says: “As much as it is a liability right now and a burden on our financials, it’s going to be a great asset going forward.”

Source: Flight Daily News