French Air Force orders TBM-940

The Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA, the French Government Defence procurement and technology agency) has ordered four DAHER Aerospace TBM-940s to renew its test fleet with the Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace (French Air and Space Force) at Base Aérienne 125 (BA125) Istres/Le Tubé in the south of France.

The new aircraft will be used with the École du Personnel Navigant d'Essais et de Réception (EPNER), the French Air Force test pilot school, and will be added to the current SOCATA TBM-700s in use with the unit.

The TBM-940s will first be modified by DAHER Aerospace in order to integrate new test capabilities, as well as training as part of the training provided by EPNER. The wings of the TBM-940 will be modified to allow the carriage of a wide variety of payloads, up to 75 kg under each wing.

Photo: DAHER Aerospace