Page 12 - ADT NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2021 Online Magazine

of the C-390 Millennium aircraft - its multi role capabilities. It is a or damaged runways.
new generation multi-mission military transport aircraft that deliv-
ers unrivalled mobility, rapid reconfiguration, high availability, and The C-390 has already demonstrated its capa-
improved flight safety, all in a single platform,” he said. bility of successful take-offs and landings on
unpaved runway and Embraer also states that
The Brazilian Air Force’s (FAB) presently operates a fleet of four the C-390 can operate from an altitude of
Embraer KC-390s delivered between 2019 and 2020. These air- 14,000 ft. The new transport type is already [ AIR SYSTEMS ]
craft have exceeded 3,650 flight hours in operation, including proving its interoperability capabilities in joint
extensive use in operations to transport equipment and medical operational exercises between the FAB and
supplies across the country urgently needed to address the COVID- the US Air Force. One of the FAB’s KC-390
19 situation in Brazil and to provide international humanitarian and aircraft recently dropped paratroopers in joint
disaster relief missions. The aircraft is capable of transporting and flights with the USAF’s C-17 and C-130 aircraft
launching cargo and troops and performing a wide array of mis- during Operation Culminating, in Alexandria,
sions: medical evacuation, search and rescue, humanitarian search Louisiana, USA.
and rescue, humanitarian aerial refueling (fighters and helicopters),
aerial firefighting and assistance. Advanced and Dependable
The C-390 flight deck is equipped with a
Capable Contender state-of-the-art human machine interface that
Embraer touts the C-390 Millennium as the most modern aircraft reduces crew workload and provides enhanced
in its class, encompassing full “fly-by-wire” technology, carrying up situational awareness. Its modern integrated
to 26 metric tons of cargo at a maximum speed of 470 knots (870 avionics system, open architecture, and full
km/h). The C-390 Millennium flies faster and carries more cargo fly-by-wire flight controls along with advanced
than other military airlifters of the same size and features a robust mission software provides the crew seamless
design, flexibility, proven state-of-the-art installed technologies and and total control over the mission. The crew can
easier maintenance. The aircraft can operate in austere environ- also exploit the aircraft’s electro-optical infra-
ments, including maximum effort operations to and from unpaved red surveillance sensor, the mission tactical
radar, secure voice and data communications,
and self-protection systems. Precise navigation
is achieved through redundant inertial GPS and
military FMS. This delivers an air release point
with exceptional precision and enhances over-
all mission effectiveness.
The C-390 is designed to survive in hostile
environments and can be configured with
armour, resistant to 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm (0.50”)
ammunition threats. To further improve aircraft
survivability, Embraer has developed an optional
advanced self-protection system that includes
Radar Warning Receiver, Missile Approach
Warning System, Laser Warning System, Chaff
and Flare dispensers, Directional Infrared
Counter Measures System and OBBIGS
(On-board Inert Gas Generation System).
Embraer states that the C-390 Millennium
requires fewer on-demand inspections and
maintenance, combined with highly reliable
systems and components, which reduces the
time on the ground and overall operating costs,
contributing to high availability levels and low
life-cycle costs. The Brazilian airframer has
been continuously working to reduce mainte-
nance cost with dedicated projects, focusing
on components reliability and robustness, main-
tenance requirements with intervals increased
or even deleted and parts & repairs price solu-
tion.

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