Story ID: 806 KC-390_EMBARGO.doc
KC-390 Makes Show Debut
By: Ian Sheppard
Caption: Embraer’s advanced-technology tanker/transport is making its first international appearance at Farnborough.
Word Count: 680
Making a welcome appearance in the static display at Farnborough is the Embraer KC-390, representing the first public outing for the type as it takes a break from its flight test campaign for a brief EMEA sales and demonstration tour. As well as a firm order from the home country of Brazil, Embraer has also received intentions to order from the other program partner nations, comprising Argentina (6), Chile (6), Colombia (12), Czech Republic (2) and Portugal (6) for a total of 60, as well as interest from a number of other air forces.

Jackson Schneider, president and CEO, Embraer defense & security, spoke with AIN last Thursday as the KC-390 was landing at TAG Farnborough Airport for the show. “We are very optimistic regarding the KC-390,” he said, “now we have 350 flight hours, focused on a general assessment of performance and flying qualities.”

The aircraft, which is powered by two IAE V2500 jet engines, made its maiden flight in February 2015 and is being presented as “a new concept as a multipurpose airplane,” said Schneider, and will even be presented for civil certification at some point. “But we are focusing on the military applications for now,” Schneider added. The second prototype made its first flight in May.

Some testing has taken place in Portugal recently, being presented to the Portuguese air force. The country is a major program partner and is believed to be preparing to place an order. Schneider said Portugal is “very committed” to the program, with the industrial plant at Evora a major part in subassembly manufacturing, including wing skins.

“After Farnborough we are planning to show the aircraft to three or four other countries,” he told AIN. Then it will return to flight testing, which has already covered “the full flight envelope, reaching cruising speed of Mach 0.8 and [altitude of] 36,000 feet.”

The company has also performed an aerial refueling assessment—hose & drogue extension—“and it’s stable. We have not tested actual refueling yet, but cargo airdrop and paratroop initial evaluation have been completed.” The aircraft has two doors that can be used for paratroop drops, and it can be refueled from tankers and refuel other aircraft, such as fighters—making it a true “force multiplier.”

Testing between now and the end of the year will cover refueling tests “including with helicopters”; pressurization and further avionics systems testing; artificial ice assessment; a crosswind campaign in South America, where winds are very demanding; and the aerial refueling, with dry contacts first. So the program is “on track for IOC [initial operational capability] in the second half of 2017…The third aircraft will be the first to be delivered to the Brazilian air force, which has ordered 28.” Meanwhile there are two other prototype airframes being used for static tests and the avionics rig (‘iron bird’), said Schneider.

“I believe that Farnborough will help with our sales campaigns,” he concluded, adding that the Czech Republic “will probably be on the list as it is one of the partners in the program,” and that an Asian country has been a “surprise” potential customer. “But we have a time window of only two-and-a-half weeks [before the first prototype has to return to flight testing].”

Here at the show, Embraer is also highlighting its key role in Brazil’s Integrated Border Monitoring System (SISFRON). This includes the A-29 Super Tucano, mobile modules, ground and air radars, ATC radars & systems plus an integrated information center. “We have already signed a contract with an African country, and we are in the process of delivering the border surveillance system to them,” he said.

It is also heavily involved in the introduction of the Saab Gripen NG to Brazilian air force service. It ordered 36 in 2013 and the first will enter service in 2019. “The program is going quite well. F-39 is the designation for the Brazilian version—it has been christened. We’ll be responsible for assembling the Gripen and we are building a new engineering center, 100 percent dedicated to jet fighters.”