Alla fine di ottobre, la EADS MAS (Military Air Systems) ha iniziato a Manching, in Germania, i voli prova per la certificazione dei caccia Eurofighter EF 2000 mono e biposto al rifornimento in volo dalle cisterne Airbus A 310 MRTT.
I primi test in volo con questo tipo di cisterna volante, durante i quali gli aerei sono rimasti in volo fino a cinque ore, sono stati effettuati da due Eurofighter “Instrumented Production Aircraft” usati come velivoli prova da EADS, il biposto IPA3 ed il monoposto IPA7.
La certificazione dell’Eurofighter per il rifornimento in volo dall’Airbus A 310 MRTT - la versione Multi Role Tanker-Transport del bireattore civile A 310 – è attesa per la fine dell’anno. Per l’ottenimento di questa certificazione sono stati pianificati nove voli in tutto.
Military Air Systems, Business Unit integrata dell’EADS Defence & Security Division (DS), è il centro di eccellenza del gruppo europeo per quanto riguarda i programmi militari con piattaforme aeree pilotate e teleguidate.
(Da un comunicato stampa EADS – European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, Amsterdam, Paesi Bassi – 29 ottobre 2008)
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End-October, the test flight series to obtain certification of the single-seater and twin-seater Eurofighter EF 2000 aircraft for air-to-air refuelling from the Airbus A 310 MRTT tanker began at Military Air Systems (MAS) in Manching, Germany.
The first refuelling flights using this tanker model, during which the aircraft were continuously airborne for up to five hours, were performed by the two-seat Eurofighter IPA3 and single-seat IPA7 “German” test aircraft. (IPA = Instrumented Production Aircraft).
Certification of Eurofighter for in-flight refuelling from the Airbus A 310 MRTT - Multi Role Tanker-Transport aircraft derived from the A 310 twin-jet airliner - is expected by the end of the year. A total of nine certification flights are planned for this purpose.
Military Air Systems, an integrated Business Unit of the EADS Defence & Security Division (DS), is the centre of excellence for manned and unmanned airborne weapons systems within EADS.
(From an EADS – European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company press release, Amsterdam, The Netherlands – October 29, 2008)
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