Embraer rolled out the first prototype of the KC-390 military transport aircraft from the production hangar at the industrial plant of Ga...
The event was attended by the Brazilian Minister of Defense, Celso Amorim, the Commander of the Brazilian Air Force, Lieutenant-Brigadier General Juniti Saito, and delegations and representatives from more than 30 countries.
The KC-390 is a joint Brazilian Air Force and Embraer program to develop a tactical military transport and aerial refueling airplane with lower operating cost and the flexibility to perform a variety of missions like cargo and troop transport, paratrooping, paradroping, aerial refueling, search and rescue, and combating forest fires.
Following the rollout, the aircraft will continue with initial systems evaluations leading to the first engine run, and then to the ground vibration tests and the other planned ground tests.
This is the first of two prototypes that will be used in the development, ground, flight and certification test campaigns.
On May 20th, 2014, Embraer and the BAF signed the series production contract for the delivery of 28 KC-390 aircraft and associated initial logistic support. Besides the order by the Brazilian Air Force, there are currently intentions to purchase for additional 32 aircraft from other countries.
The KC-390 is powered by two IAE V2500-E5 engines, rated at 31,330 pounds of thrust. The program marks the first military application of Rockwell Collin's Pro Line Fusion integrated avionics system, which entered the business jet segment in 2012.
The aircraft's first flight is planned to take place by 2014 end, and entry into service is scheduled in 2016.
