Airbus A400M flies over Farnborough (photos)

Airbus touts "Grizzly," its new A400M military plane that can carry more than 40 tons of cargo, at the Farnborough air show.

Airbus 400M "Grizzly" upside-down
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Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus 400M "Grizzly" upside-down

The Airbus 400M "Grizzly" took the spotlight at the Farnborough International Airshow in the U.K. Here, its pilot took the 148-foot-long plane partway upside-down in a steeply banked turn.

This week-long show west of London is where the aviation industry goes to buy and sell airplanes, helicopters, and everything needed to build them.

Airbus 400M "Grizzly" on the ground
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Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus 400M "Grizzly" on the ground

The Airbus 400M "Grizzly" awaits its flight at the Farnborough International Airshow. Its 58-foot-long cargo hold can carry more than 40 tons.
Airbus 400M "Grizzly"
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Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus 400M "Grizzly"

The Airbus 400M "Grizzly" at the Farnborough International Airshow. One selling point of the plane is its high-elevation capability of 37,000 feet, which among other things makes it better as a refueling craft.
Airbus 400M "Grizzly" ascends
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Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus 400M "Grizzly" ascends

The Airbus 400M "Grizzly" ascends steeply at the Farnborough International Airshow. The heat from the engines' exhaust blurs the air. Corkscrew contrail patterns are visible behind the tips of the propeller blades.
Airbus 400M
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Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus 400M

The Airbus 400M "Grizzly" at the Farnborough International Airshow. The plane's top speed is mach 0.68 to 0.72.
Airbus 400M
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Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus 400M

The Airbus 400M "Grizzly" at the Farnborough International Airshow. Corkscrew contrail patterns are visible behind the tips of the propeller blades.
Airbus 400M passes overhead
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Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus 400M passes overhead

The Airbus 400M has a range of 3,450 nautical miles with a cargo of 20 tons.
Airbus 400M banking steeply
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Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus 400M banking steeply

The Airbus 400M "Grizzly" at the Farnborough International Airshow.
Airbus 400M banking turn
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Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus 400M banking turn

The Airbus 400M "Grizzly" at the Farnborough International Airshow.
Airbus 400M contrail
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Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus 400M contrail

Contrails spin off low-pressure areas at the edges of the Airbus 400M's flaps as it flies over the Farnborough International Airshow.
Tail view of Airbus 400M
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Stephen Shankland/CNET

Tail view of Airbus 400M

The Airbus 400M "Grizzly" at the Farnborough International Airshow.
Airbus 400M coming in for landing
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Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus 400M coming in for landing

The Airbus 400M "Grizzly" at the Farnborough International Airshow.

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