The TP400 is installed on the inner left engine mount of the C-130K which is otherwise powered by three of the usually four Allison T56 turbopropellers.
The aircraft took off at 10h44 local time from Cambridge airfield (UK) where Marshall Aerospace, which is conducting the flight test-bed trials, is based, and touched down at 11h59 local time.
The flight lasted one hour and 15 minutes.
During the flight, various flight characteristics such as aircraft basic handling and TP400 response at a thrust equivalent to the maximum power generated by each of the other T56 engines were tested to satisfaction in several aircraft configurations up to a speed of 165kts and an altitude of 8,000ft.
EPI, which comprises Rolls Royce, SNECMA, MTU and ITP, started testing the TP400 in October 2005.
More than 2,100 hours of ground testing have been performed with three engines on the ground test bench.
To complete the trials, Marshall Aerospace was contracted by Airbus Military to perform the Flying Test Bed trials on a Lockheed C-130K.
The aircraft was specifically modified to accept the new engine, which develops about twice the power of the C-130K’s standard T56 engine.
“The successful completion of this first flight of the TP400 engine is a significant step in the A400M programme development”, says Rafael Tentor, Head of the A400M program.
“This and the subsequent flights will comfort us in the performance of the new engine itself, as well as its reliability, in a real flying environment.
"This objective also applies to the global propulsion system,” he added.
EADS and Airbus Military are still in negotiation with customers.
The time schedule of the A400M is not yet determined.