Twin-Turbofan Aircraft To Enter Service In 2015

There's a new player in the increasingly crowded medium-lift military transport game. In a ceremony held Tuesday during the seventh edition of the Latin America Aero and Defence (LAAD) trade fair, Embraer signed a contract with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) for the turbofan-powered KC-390 military transport aircraft program.

The event was attended by the Minister of Defense, Nelson Jobim, the Head of the Navy, Admiral Júlio Soares de Moura Neto, the Brazilian Aeronautics Commander, General Juniti Saito, and Embraer President & CEO Frederico Fleury Curado.

"The launch of the KC-390 program is a new landmark in the historical strategic partnership between the Brazilian Air Force and Embraer," said Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer President & CEO. "We are convinced that the development of the KC-390 will result in an effective cargo and tanker aircraft for the FAB and shall also become another successful export platform for both Embraer and Brazil."

The FAB established the requirements for the new aircraft, as it did for previous Embraer military programs like the Super Tucano. The new jet will meet the needs of the FAB, in full compliance with the new National Defense Strategy. The participation of other countries in this program will be evaluated, in conjunction with the FAB, and the aircraft is expected to enter service in 2015.

As ANN reported, Embraer first confirmed development of the transport plane at LAAD 2007. The KC-390 will be the heaviest aircraft ever developed by the Brazilian planemaker, able to lift 19 tons of cargo.

The KC-390 will be the first proposed medium-lift transport aircraft to be powered by dual turbofan engines. The aircraft is slightly larger than the C-27J Spartan, smaller than a C-130, and significantly smaller than the proposed Airbus A400M -- all of which are turboprops.

Embraer notes the KC-390 Program "will contribute, in the short term, to maintaining highly qualified jobs, and, longer-term, it has the potential for generating significant export volumes with important aggregate value. The existence of a study regarding this military transport aircraft was presented two years ago, at LAAD 2007. The jet will have a cargo bay equipped with an aft ramp, to transport a wide variety of types of cargo, including armored vehicles, and will be outfitted with the most modern systems for handling and launching cargos."

The new jet will be able to be refueled in flight, as well as used for in-flight or on-ground refueling of other aircraft. The cargo bay will allow configurations for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) missions. The technical advances of the KC-390 include fly-by-wire technology, and the capability for operating on short, unimproved runways.

FMI: www.embraer.com, www.laadexpo.com/