Marking a new step in its testing, Airbus Military's A400M has completed a series of trials to validate the lowest speed at which this new-generation airlifter can take off.

The operations were performed in Istres, France, and are standard for the development of military and civil aircraft.

During these tests, the A400M's nose was raised until a special bumper fitted to the rear fuselage contacted the ground, as planned, at the maximum pitch-up angle of 13 degrees.