Page 16 - ADT MAY / JULY 2024 Digital Magazine | GBP

Market Force

Asia and the Middle East could
soon emerge as major markets
for the C-390. In December 2023,
South Korea emerged as the C-390
Millennium’s first customer in Asia.
South Korea’s Defence Acquisition
Program Administration (DAPA)
selected the C-390 Millennium as
the winner of its Large Transport (AEW&C) aircraft and the ERJ 135 The C-390 features a modern
Aircraft (LTA) II public tender to operating as a VVIP transport. automated Cargo Handling System
deliver a new military transport (CHS), with a dedicated mission
aircraft to the Republic of Korea Air station that allows for safe and
Force (ROKAF). Under the signed Multi-Role Machine effective operation of the system by
contract for an undisclosed number a single loadmaster. The aircraft’s
of aircraft, Embraer will also provide The C-390 Millennium features a unobstructed cargo compartment
a comprehensive consortium and unique design ethos, and open provides room for up to seven 463L
offset package including a signifi- architecture which will allow the pallets, with up to 23 metric tons of
cant amount of C-390 Millennium aircraft to be upgraded more easily distributed loads, or heavy vehicles
parts to be locally manufactured by and cater for future obsolescence. weighing up to 26 metric tons. The
Korean partner companies and the The aircraft features a modern Hungarian Defence Forces have
development of a local Maintenance integrated open architecture avion- opted to acquire their KC-390s in an
Repair and Overhaul (MRO) provider. ics system, and full fly-by-wire flight optional configuration which fea-
controls which all come together to tures an Intensive Care Unit which
reduce crew workload and provide
Embraer is also eyeing an Indian Air is an essential feature to perform
Force (IAF) requirement for a new enhanced situational awareness. An humanitarian missions. This con-
Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) in advanced mission software pro- figuration could also be of interest
the 18-30 tonne class. The require- vides the crew seamless and total to other potential customers of the
ment could be for up to 80 aircraft, control over the mission. The crew type. The KC-390 is configured
though Indian procurement proce- can exploit the electro-optical infra- with air-to-air refueling equipment
dures are notoriously longwinded red surveillance sensor, the mission and has already proven its aerial
and opaque. The jet powered tactical radar, secure voice and data refueling capacity both as a tanker
C-390 aircraft features a rugged communications, and self-protec- and as a receiver, receiving fuel
design that allows it to operate tion systems. Precise navigation is from another KC-390 using pods
from semi-prepared and damaged achieved through redundant inertial installed under the wings.
runways, as well as harsh environ- GPS and military FMS.
ments, varying from the hot and
humid Amazon forest to the freezing The C-390 is powered by two The KC-390 can be quickly config-
Antarctic continent, as well as hot ured for aerial refueling as both a
and sandy desert conditions. The IAE V2500-E5 two-shaft turbofan tanker and a receiver aircraft with
engines and the aircraft has a fast
C-390 can also be quickly reconfig- the capability to undertake day and
ured without specialist tools. climb rate and cruise speed in night aerial refueling. This is made
excess of 870 kmph. When com- easier with observer windows and
This February, Embraer Defence bined with its cargo capacity and night vision cameras. The C-390
& Security entered into a speed, according to Embraer, the can be equipped with advanced
Memorandum of Understanding C-390 can generate significantly Cobham 912E Series refueling
(MoU) with the Indian firm Mahindra more mobility and productivity as pods that are not only lightweight
with the objective of jointly fulfill- compared to turboprop aircraft in and efficient but allow each pod
ing the acquisition of the C-390 the same category. The aircraft to provide a fuel transfer of up to
Millennium multi-mission aircraft can provide faster response times, 400 US gallons per minute. If there
by the IAF in its upcoming procure- increased mission efficiency and is a requirement for the aircraft to
ment project. The IAF is already an allow air forces to perform the same expand its fuel offload capacity or
existing operator of Embraer air- number of missions using fewer range performance, then this is
craft, with the ERJ 145 regional jet aircraft and fly more missions with aided by the fitment of removable
serving as the platform for the Netra the same number of flight hours as auxiliary fuel tanks in the cargo
Airborne Early Warning & Control compared to turboprop fleets. compartment..

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