Britain’s First A400M Delivered

The Royal Air Force’s first A400M Atlas airlifter touched down at RAF Brize Norton, England, after a delivery flight from Airbus’ military production plant in Seville, Spain, reports IHS Jane’s. The airplane arrived on Nov. 17, according to the report. Airbus Military test flew the RAF’s second Atlas late last month, announced the company, and is scheduled to deliver Germany’s first A400M later this month. The RAF stood up the first of two Atlas operating squadrons at Brize Norton last month to begin training crews. Britain has ordered 22 A400Ms to complement its C-130Js and C-17s, which also operate from Brize Norton. The RAF’s Atlas initial operational capability is planned by the middle of 2015, with full operational capability with 12 A400Ms scheduled by 2018, according to IHS Jane’s. Airbus has orders for 174 A400Ms on its books.