Airbus test

Airbus A350 XWB MSN001 flight test aircraft has successfully completed the maximum energy rejected takeoff (MERTO) testing at Istres Air Force Base in southern France, clearing one of the programme’s final hurdles prior to certification.

The latest trial follows the successful completion of the aircraft’s ‘high energy rejected take-off’ (HERTO) preparation tests two months ago.

METRO testing confirms the braking system’s capability to securely stop the aircraft upon a rejected takeoff at high-speed and high weight, while using a set of worn brakes.

When activated, the brakes absorb the aircraft’s kinetic energy, glow bright orange and reach a temperature of 1,400°C by the instant. The aircraft safely comes to a standstill, when the tyres are deflated using special fuses.

The certification requirements mandate the aircraft to hang about for five minutes unaided, upon which firefighters would be allowed to spray the wheels and brakes to cool them.

The latest test is also the A350 XWB programme’s final major test before MSN005, one of two cabin-equipped development aircraft, begins ‘Route Proving’ this month.

Achieving more than 2,250 flight hours in 540 flights tol date, the programme is on track for certification during the third quarter of 2014, with the first scheduled delivery to Qatar Airways in the fourth quarter.

Image: A350 XWB MSN001 during the rejected takeoff testing at Istres Air Force Base. Photo: courtesy of Airbus SAS.

Defence Technology