On the 14 November 2011, the French Air Force successfully conducted its first ballistic target firing.

Following the launch of A400M series production last February, Airbus Military has begun final assembly of the first A400M that will be delivered to a customer - the French Air Force.

One of the most important industrial decisions on the A400M Programme was taken on 16 February 2011. The so called Maturity Gate Milestone was reviewed by an independent panel and as a result of this review the gate has now been passed. 

The second A400M development aircraft - Grizzly 2 - visited Kiruna in northern Sweden for four days of cold weather trials at the beginning of February.