Airbus helicopters could soon be able to refuel in mid-air with the help of the aerospace giant’s military planes.
The global aircraft manufacturer has run a trial using its A400M - a defence transport aircraft that has its wings assembled in Filton.
Over the course of four flights, which were operated in day conditions over the south of France, the plane trialled using air-to-air refueling contacts with an H225M helicopter.
The test run was performed with no fuel at between 1,000 ft and 10,000 ft at flight speeds as low as 105 knots.
The plane managed 51 dry contacts during the test, which was co-ordinated by the French 'DGA Essais en vol' flight test centre.
“The tests confirmed the positive results of previous proximity flights conducted at the beginning of 2019,” Airbus said in a statement.
The next step in the flight test program will involve wet contact operations scheduled to take place before the end of 2019 ahead of final certification in 2021.
Helicopter air-to-air refuelling is a military tactical operation that involves low speeds and low altitudes.
After the testing and the plane's final certification, the A400M will become one of the few tanker aircraft in the world capable of performing such an operation.
The A400M carries up to 50.8 tonnes (111,600 lb) of fuel in its wings and centre wing box, without compromising any cargo hold area.
Two additional cargo hold tanks can also be installed, providing an additional 5.7 tonnes (11,400 lb) of fuel each. The fuel carried in the extra tanks can be of a different nature to the fuel in the main tanks.
This enables the A400M to cater for the needs of different types of receiver aircraft.
The A400M is already able to refuel fighter receivers such as Eurofighter, Rafale, Tornado or F/A-18 at their preferred speeds and altitudes, and is also able to refuel other large aircraft such as another A400M for buddy refueling.
