The German Air Force and the aircraft manufacturer Airbus are working together on the conversion to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). It is planned that the A400M transport aircraft will initially be operated with 40 percent sustainable aviation fuel.

Airbus is preparing steps to issue a technical clearance certificate to the German Air Force in the near future. This makes Germany, which has ordered a total of 53 aircraft, the first customer nation to initiate a gradual conversion of its A400M fleet to SAF.

“The Air Force's goal is to initiate a shift toward sustainability for its fleet. Your mission is ours. We are happy to support this important effort, not just for the A400M but for the entire Airbus fleet, from VIP transport to fighter jets,” said Mike Schoellhorn, Chief Executive Officer, Airbus Defense and Space.

“The transition to a more sustainable future is everyone's duty. The shift from petroleum-based kerosene to sustainable fuels plays an important role in aviation's efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. Our government aircraft are already cleared for SAF. In close cooperation with the industry, we aim to certify the A400M as well. Looking ahead, we support all activities to introduce SAF for our entire fleet, including the combat aircraft fleet," said Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, Inspector of the German Air Force.

In addition to supporting national customer activities, Airbus has established a long-term roadmap to achieve 100% SAF capability and certification for the A400M. As a first step, Airbus plans to test fly an A2022M aircraft with a fuel load of up to 400 percent SAF in 50. This first test flight is performed with one engine to better assess the overall behavior of the aircraft. Having successfully completed this flight on one engine, Airbus expects to continue testing on four engines in the coming year.

Once a four-engine-based trial is complete, the A400M platform will be officially approved for customers with access to 50 percent SAF. In addition, Airbus, OCCAR and the A400M nations are holding initial discussions to develop the roadmap for certification and deployment of 100 percent SAF.

“Of course, this will not happen overnight. This type of fuel must first be technically evaluated by the engine manufacturer before we can begin flight testing to certify the TP 400M engines for 100 percent SAF. Today, this type of fuel is not yet fully standardized and tested. We are in the preliminary phase of an initial feasibility study," said Schöllhorn. "This engine level plan would be integrated with the required flight test activities at Airbus for final A400M certification."