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2019-05-01

KC-390 Celebrates Fourth Anniversary of First Flight

Designed for airlift and humanitarian missions, the KC-390, which stands at the height of a four-story building, symbolises the advancement of the Brazilian aeronautical industry.

February 3 is a special date for the Brazilian aviation industry. Four years ago, in 2015, representatives of Embraer and authorities from the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) gathered at the company's factory in Gavião Peixoto-SP to watch the first flight of the new military and tactical transport aircraft, the KC-390.

Captain Mozart Louzada flew the multi-mission aircraft in its debut, demonstrating the success of the joint project between Embraer and FAB. Since then, the aircraft has continued to bring together advancements in the Brazilian aeronautical industry, broadening the horizons every step of the way. In fact, the KC-390 is expected to become the backbone of FAB transport aviation.

At almost 12 metres high and longer than three city buses placed end-to-end (35.2 metres), the KC-390’s versatility is greater than its size. It transports and air delivers cargo and troops, performs aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue, aerial refuelling, firefighting and humanitarian aid missions.

The aircraft is also noted for its robust nature. Utilising a modern cargo handling system, it can accommodate loads of up to 23 tonnes, including tanks, helicopters, vehicles, pallets, troops, and stretchers, without impacting its performance.

After logging over 2,000 flight hours, in 2018, the KC-390 received the Type Certificate from Brazilian aviation authority Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC), a key step toward gaining military certification of Final Operational Capability (FOC). In addition to this achievement, the aircraft also completed tests regarding troop offload and evacuation by hatches and front and back doors, in conjunction with the FAB and the Brazilian Army, involving approximately 600 military personnel.

Highlighting Integrated Solutions

Recently, Embraer was present at the 12th edition of LAAD Defence & Security 2019, one of the leading Latin American exhibition of defence and security segments, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The company showcased integrated solutions and applications of Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR), integrated information systems, communication, monitoring and surveillance of frontiers, radar technologies and space systems, in addition to the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, along with the multi-mission KC-390military transport aircraft.

Over the last few years, Embraer has been able to apply its five-decade expertise in aircraft development and manufacturing to diversify the defence and security portfolio, mostly through its affiliated companies. Among those companies are Atech, a Brazilian business leader in critical mission and complex systems and a provider of integrated solutions for defence, security, air traffic and civil applications as well as Savis, a company that develops, integrates and deploys systems and services for Border Monitoring and Protection of Strategic Structures.

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