Page 16 - ADT FEBRUARY - MARCH 2021 Online Magazine

the first time over the course of the joint exercise. 463L pallets, with up to 23 metric tons of dis-
tributed loads, or heavy vehicles weighing up
Export Orders to 26 metric tons. As compared to turboprop
Portugal and Hungary are the two export customers for Embraer’s aircraft in the same category, the aircraft’s
new transport aircraft with orders for five and two respectively. fast climb rate and cruise speed in excess of [ AIR SYSTEMS ]
“Our recent KC-390 sale to Hungary, the second NATO nation 470 knots generates coupled with its flexible
to acquire the aircraft, shows the aircraft’s potential in terms of cargo capacity answer the growing demand for
international sales, and we are very confident and positive on the faster response times and increased mission
outlook,” Neto says, adding that there is increasing and significant efficiency for military transport fleets. Hence
interest surrounding the C-390/KC-390 in the international market, a C-390/KC-390 fleet can not only perform
and several potential customers are asking for information about the same number of missions with fewer air-
the aircraft. “The C-390 Millennium is certainly relevant for the craft but also fly more missions with the same
Asia Pacific, a region where Embraer Defence & Security already number of flight hours as compared to turbo-
has a considerable footprint.” Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto facility, in prop fleets.
Brazil presently has six aircraft in various stages of construction.
The aircraft is also fully NATO compatible, not
The Portuguese Government signed a contract for the acquisition only in terms of its hardware but also its avion-
of five multi-mission Embraer KC-390 airlifters in 2019 as part of its ics/communications configuration. A modern
efforts to modernize Portuguese Air Force capabilities and increase integrated avionics system, open architecture,
its mission readiness. Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2023 and and full Fly-By-Wire flight controls coupled with
Embraer has been contracted to develop a flight simulator along a state-of-the-art flight deck reduces crew
with providing services and support. Teams from the Portuguese workload and provides enhanced situational
Armed Forces (FAP) and Embraer concluded the Critical Design awareness. The transport type’s advanced mis-
Review (CDR) for these aircraft in October 2020. With the aircraft’s sion software provides the crew seamless and
technical requirements and configuration now as per FAP’s require- total control over the mission, allowing them to
ments, Embraer will progress with aircraft manufacture and delivery. exploit the electro-optical infrared surveillance
sensor, the mission tactical radar, secure voice
Hungary became the newest customer for the KC-390 when it and data communications, and self-protection
inked a contract for two aircraft in November 2020, to strengthen systems. A redundant inertial GPS and military
the Hungarian Defence Forces capabilities specifically on the tac- FMS provides precise navigation and allows an
tical airlift, medical evacuation roles as well as in other missions air release point to be achieved with excep-
of public interest. Embraer will commence deliveries in 2023 and tional precision, enhancing overall mission
in addition to the services and support agreements as part of the effectiveness, especially for air drops.
contract, Embraer will also train pilots and technicians as well.
The KC-390 for the Hungarian Defence Forces will be the first The KC-390 can be quickly configured for
of the type fitted with an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as part of its aerial refueling as both a tanker and a receiver
configuration. aircraft. Day and night aerial refueling is made
possible with observer windows and night
Multi-Mission Transport vision cameras. The KC-390 can be equipped
The C-390/KC-390 is equipped with a modern automated cargo with advanced refueling pods (Cobham 912E
handling system (CHS), with a dedicated mission station for safe Series) that meet the high-performance criteria
and effective operation of the system by a single loadmaster. An of the aircraft, providing a lightweight and effi-
unobstructed cargo compartment provides room for up to seven cient solution. Each pod provides fuel transfer
of up to 400 US gallons per minute. Removable
auxiliary fuel tanks can also be installed in the
cargo compartment to expand the aircraft fuel
offload capacity or range performance.

The C-390/KC-390 can operate from
semi-prepared and damaged runways, as
well as harsh environments, varying from the
hot and humid Amazon forest to the freezing
Antarctic continent, as well as hot and sandy
desert conditions. The twin-engine transport
type can perform different types of military
and civilian missions including Humanitarian
Support, Medical Evacuation, Search and
Rescue, Cargo and Troops Transport, Precision
Cargo Drop, Paratroopers Operations and AAR.

16 | February/March 2021 W W W .GBP .C OM.SG/ A DT