Airbus Military has successfully completed the ultimate-load up-bend test of the highly advanced all-composite wing of the A400M new airlifter.

During the critical static test, required for certification, the wing was subjected to a load equal to 150% of the maximum bending load predicted to be encountered in service.

The wingtips of the full-size A400M static test specimen moved upwards 1.41m (4.6ft) during the test.

The static test programme will continue in Madrid, Spain until mid-2011, while full-scale fatigue tests will be conducted on another test specimen in Dresden, Germany, by the end of 2010.

The A400M wing will be assembled at the Airbus plant at Filton, Bristol, UK.