The seven launch customers for Airbus Military’s A400M transport signed the final contract amendments in Seville, Spain, paving the way for the aircraft’s production to begin, announced Airbus parent company EADS Thursday. These countries—Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Luxemburg, Spain, and Turkey—agreed that “from an industrial point of view, the program is on track,” said Airbus Military CEO Domingo Urena. This enabled them to agree “with full confidence on the industrial go-ahead,” he said. Thus far, Airbus has completed five A400Ms, four of which have logged more than 1,400 hours in nearly 450 test flights. Airbus expects to gain the A400M’s civil certification by year’s end. Delivery of the first production airframe to the French air force is slated for early 2013. The seven nations have placed orders for 170 A400Ms. Malaysia has pledged to purchase four, bringing the initial production total to 174.
US Space Command Should Always Be Led by a Guardian
Sept. 12, 2026
General Stephen Whiting took command of U.S. Space Command in January 2024, and if customary three-year tenures hold, his tour would end in January 2027. The question now before the President and Senate is who should follow him? Whoever they choose, it has to be a Guardian—and so should every successor…
