Embraer KC-390 military transport aircraft project officially enters into production

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World Industry Defense & Security News - Embraer
 
 
Embraer's KC-390 military transport aircraft project officially enters into production
 
After having completed its first stage, which provided for the development and the assembly of two prototypes, the KC-390 Program recently moved into its second phase, as defined in its acquisition agreement, during which Embraer will begin the series production of 28 aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force (FAB).
     
After having completed its first stage, which provided for the development and the assembly of two prototypes, the KC-390 Program recently moved into its second phase, as defined in its acquisition agreement, during which Embraer will begin the series production of 28 aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force (FAB).
Embraer KC-390 medium-size military transport aircraft
     
For that, an allocation of US $1.9 billion to Embraer was published in the Official Gazette, as was established in the original schedule. These funds will be used to purchase materials and to pay the production staff which will produce the two prototypes of the new aircraft.

"We are continuing the schedule that will ensure the aircraft for the FAB arrive when needed, requiring no interruptions in the air force’s transport and refueling operations," said the president of the Coordinating Committee of Combat Aircraft Programs (Copac), Brigadier José Augusto Crepaldi Affonso.

This month (October), the cargo plane will leave the hangar and will make its first public appearance. "The so-called ‘roll-out’ clearly shows the success of the engineering design and the industrial production activities and, of course, by the end of the year the KC-390 will be flying," says the head of the project.

The KC-390 will replace the C-130 Hercules aircraft used for military transport of personnel and equipment, and for aerial refueling of other aircraft. "This aircraft is being developed in strict accordance with all the requirements requested by the FAB," explains the director of Copac.

In addition to the 28 aircraft for the FAB, Crepaldi explains that the nationally-developed transport aircraft is born with great potential for export to countries that also will need to soon replace aircraft of the same size.

"From the industrial point of view, it is the crowning of the Brazilian aerospace industry because, besides being the largest aircraft ever developed and manufactured in the country, she will join - with a high possibility of success - in a niche market that is now dominated by large international companies," concluded Crepaldi.