A400M makes Tom Cruise´s mission possible
Although fulfilling an miportant role as an advanced military transport aircraft, the Airbus A400M may never again be called upon to perform such an astounding role as it does in the forthcoming upcoming movie Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation.
The A400M can drop 116 fully-equipped paratroopers in combat fatigues as part of its core capabilities and also carry a sharp-suited superstar like Tom Cruise on the outside of the aircraft.
Working with the Airbus Defence and Space flight test team that is exactly what Paramount Pictures requested and got for what is sure to be one of this year’s biggest cinema hits.
Viewers will see Cruise run across the aircraft’s wing as it taxies for take-off and then cling on as it climbs away from the runway – special panels on the side of the aircraft that normally serve to cut air turbulence around the paratroopers playing an unexpected role as handholds for the actor.
The incredible sequence was shot eight times at RAF Wittering airbase in the UK and Cruise has declared it his most dangerous stunt ever.
Yet Airbus Defence and Space Military Aircraft Head of Flight Test & Operations Eric Isorce said: “We knew exactly what we were doing. We work in different worlds but we are all professionals at what we do and Tom was an absolute pleasure to work with.”
