What is the name of Airbus’s four-engine military transport aircraft that first flew in 2009?

Airbus’s four-engine military transport aircraft that first flew in 2009 is the Airbus A400M Atlas.

The A400M was developed to replace several older European military transports, including the Transall C-160 and Lockheed C-130 Hercules in some roles. It combines strategic range with tactical capabilities, allowing it to carry large loads while operating from relatively short or unprepared runways.

The aircraft is powered by four Europrop International TP400-D6 turboprop engines. Its first flight took place on 11 December 2009 from Seville, Spain, where final assembly is performed. The programme was managed through Airbus Military, now part of Airbus Defence and Space.

The A400M is sometimes confused with Airbus’s A330 MRTT, which is a jet-powered tanker and transport aircraft derived from the A330 airliner. The A400M, by contrast, was designed specifically as a military airlifter and uses turboprop propulsion for tactical flexibility.