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28. November 2018

First MMF flight

The first MMF aircraft took off for the first time into the clear and cold skies of Madrid on Wednesday 28 November 2018. This is the first MMF airplane fully configured as an MRTT first flight, after completion of the production phase at the Airbus DS facilities in Getafe.

MMF-1 flew away to the UK for final painting. The final clearance for flight from the Spanish Authorities was  issued the same day the MMF Executive Board was gathered for its last meeting of the year. A happy coincidence that allowed the proud representatives of the MMF nations, NSPA and OCCAR-EA to witness the event.

MMF first flight

© Airbus

This major milestone for the MMF programme was achieved on time and to the full satisfaction of all the involved stakeholders. A long period of test flights and training starts now for the MMF-1 in preparation for its final delivery in May 2020 to the Multinational MMF Unit.

MMF-2 in currently in production in Airbus Toulouse and will be received at Airbus DS Getafe for conversion to MRTT in February 2019, with a final delivery to the MMU scheduled for June 2020.