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2018-05-01

Embraer Highlights KC-390’s Multiple Missions

Embraer took part in the recently concluded FIDAE 2018 in Chile, where the company showcased its new multi-mission, medium-lift transport KC-390.

Seen as the advanced and modern option to replace legacy medium-lift aircraft, the KC-390 is designed to set new standards in its category, while presenting the lowest life-cycle cost in the market and the ability to perform multiple missions such as transport and airdrop of troops and cargo, search and rescue (SAR), medical evacuation, aerial refuelling (fixed and rotary wing) and fire fighting, among others.

Embraer achieved KC-390´s initial operational capability declaration (IOC) in December 2017 and expects to receive the certification of the final operational capability (FOC) in the second half of 2018. First delivery is scheduled to take place in 2018. The flight test campaign of the KC-390 is progressing extremely well, with more than 1,600 flight hours accumulated by late March.

Rugged Design

Developed according to stringent requirements, the KC-390 is a multi-mission aircraft, with a rugged design that withstands operations from semi-prepared and damaged runways, as well as in harsh environments, varying from the hot and humid Amazon forest down to the freezing cold Antarctic continent, as well as in hot and sandy desert conditions.

Small, austere and semi-prepared airfields are some of the typical operational environments for military airlift aircraft. The operational capacity of the KC-390 on semi-prepared and unpaved airfields is achieved with a highly capable structure, landing gear designed to operate and reduce damage on soft unpaved airfields and execute a defined number of passes before soil failure and engines installed to be clear of runway debris.

In terms of airfield roughness level, the KC-390 is capable of operating from the maximum (worst) semi-prepared runway defined by MIL-A-008866B and, for soft field operations, perform 10 passes at a CBR 4 airfield (loose fine sand or soft clay). The KC-390 has excellent ground manoeuvrability, and can operate on airfields with limited space for parking or manoeuvring and no ground facilities. It can normally operate from a 4,000 ft Critical Field Length (CFL) semi-prepared soft airstrip (CBR-6: compacted sand-clay soils) carrying 12 metric tonne of cargo to a distance of 500 nm.

The KC-390 is capable of carrying heavy combat vehicles weighting up to 26 metric tonne. An unobstructed cargo compartment with a volume of 169 m³ (5,970 ft³) was optimised to provide extra room for over and outsize cargo, accommodating combinations of vehicles, cargo on pallets, troops, medical patients and auxiliary fuel tanks, among other items.

More Payload

The KC-390 aerodynamic configuration was carefully designed to reduce drag delivering high speed and high altitude cruise capabilities as well as to provide enough lift for low speed operations such as helicopter aerial refuelling and short airstrip operation.

Wide cargo hold for more payload facilitate the boarding of taller vehicles, and the KC-390 is equipped with a long cargo ramp which reduces the cargo loading/ unloading angle. The aircraft also features hydraulic stabilizer struts and a cargo winch to minimize time on ground.

For the air delivery mission, the Continuous Computed Drop Point (CCDP) algorithm uses altitude, speed and wind to define the optimum release point to reach the drop zone. This allows for manual or automatic cargo release.

Detection and Declaration Devices

KC-390 is equipped with advanced Tactical Radar, featuring Spotlight Synthetic Aperture Radar (Spot SAR), weather, air-to-air, navigation, and air-to-ground and high-resolution modes.

The KC-390 Self-Protection System combines a broad range of detection and declaration devices (radar warning, laser warning and missile approach warning) to capable countermeasures (chaff and flare and DIRCM); enhancing the aircraft security in threatening scenarios.

It integrates several mission systems to provide advanced multi-mission capabilities. Tactical SAR Radar, EO/IR Probe and Mission Computers allow the flexible employment of the aircraft to different scenarios.

Plus, the KC-390 interior, exterior and cockpit systems are fully Night Vision compatible.

Search and Rescue missions

During Search and Rescue missions, every minute counts to save lives. The KC-390 turbo fan engines provide unmatched speed when compared with other aircraft in the medium lift segment. It can be equipped with a complete set of equipment to support the Search&Rescue missions.

When equipped with a roll-on-roll-off fire fighting system, the KC-390 is an important aerial resource for fire fighters in battling wildfires, dropping water or fire retardant like a bomber. The KC-390 fly-by-wire provides manoeuvrability at low speed and low altitude to fly over wildfire areas, increasing the mission efficiency.

Making a mark

At Singapore Air Show earlier this year, Embraer had announced that the first customer of the KC-390 tactical transport aircraft may not be an air force but a civilian operator. The company has signed a Letter of Intent with SkyTech, a company offering aircraft and services to complete the air force capabilities.

The LoI provides for an order of up to six aircraft. The two companies also decided to explore together the possibility of setting up a strategic partnership to explore new markets in the areas of training and training.

SkyTech is the result of a partnership between the Portuguese charter company HiFly (which in the civilian market leases its aircraft to other companies) and the Australian company Adagold Aviation. The joint venture offers the armed forces services in niche markets. The KC-390 could therefore be offered to air forces seeking to temporarily supplement their transport capabilities. Last September, Portugal announced its plans to acquire six KC-390s.

Reference Text/Photo:www.kc-390.com, www.embraer.com

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