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KC-390 at Farnborough International Airshow 2018, Hampshire. (Steve Lynes / Wiki Common)
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The Embraer C-390 Millennium is the largest and most complicated aircraft ever undertaken by Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer. It is similar in form and function to Japan's Kawasaki C-1 and C-2. It is also the Brazilian manufacturer’s first new military product in more than a decade.
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KC-390 at Farnborough International Airshow 2018, Hampshire. (Steve Lynes / Wiki Common)
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The Embraer C-390 Millennium is a medium-size, twin-engine jet-powered military transport aircraft, able to perform aerial refuelling and to transport cargo and troops. It is the heaviest aircraft the company has made to date, and will be able to transport up to 26 t of cargo, including wheeled armoured fighting vehicles.
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Embraer KC-390 Millennium (Divulgação / Embraer)
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The KC-390 was designed to compete with the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules on the military tactical airlifter market, and offers fierce competition for its American rival. Compared to the C-130J, the KC-390 is expected to be 15% faster, carry an 18% heavier payload, and cost 41% less to purchase. And although having a 15% shorter range than the C-130J, the KC-390 has an aerial refueling capability as a standard feature (only a few specialized sub-variants of the C-130 have an aerial refueling capability).
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KC-390 at Paris Air Show 2019. (Matti Blume / Wiki Common)
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Development began in 2006, based on a requirement by the Brazilian Air Force for an aircraft to replace the C-130 Hercules. Initially designated as the C-390, Embraer based its design and technologies on their E-Jet airliner series. After it was decided to include a tanker variant in the C-390 program, its name was changed to "KC-390" to emphasize this new capability.
The KC-390 made its first flight in 2015. After 1,900 flight hours in testing, the C-390 received Brazilian civil type certification on 23 October 2018; the first production aircraft is delivered to the Brazilian air force in the first half 2019.
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Embraer KC-390 Millennium. ( via asasdeferro.blogspot.com)
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Embraer built the C-390 around the 18.5 m (61 ft) long, 3.45 m (11.3 ft) wide and 2.95 m (9 ft 8 in) high hold with a rear ramp. Its engine are mounted forward on the high wing with anhedral angle, slats and up to 40° flaps High-lift devices.
The landing gear has low-pressure tires, two 5.9 bar (85 psi) on the nose and four 7.2 bar (105 psi) on either side bogies for soft, unpaved ground or damaged runways.
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Embraer KC-390 Millennium. (via ukdefencejournal.org.uk)
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The cockpit is set well-ahead in the fuselage with good views over the nose and to each engine nacelle (the nose assembly purposefully designed as short and sloped downwards). Wings are noticeably swept back while the tail unit comprises a conventional "T" arrangement with high-mounted horizontal planes.
The cockpit sports a dual-HUD configuration with dual-control systems for both pilots. A real-time digital mission system is integrated into the C-390's function as is a GPS navigation fit. Flight controls are assisted by a digital Fly-by-Wire (FbW) system.
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Embraer KC-390 Millennium. (via asasdeferro.blogspot.com)
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The aircraft can carry 26 t (57,000 lb): two fully tracked M113 armored personnel carriers, one Boxer or Brazilian VBTP-MR Guarani wheeled armored vehicle, a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter, 74 litters with life-support equipment, up to 80 soldiers or 66 paratroopers with full gear, and loads of up to 42,000 lb (19 t) can be air dropped.
The C-390 can refuel in flight other aircraft through two wing-mounted probe and drogue pods from Cobham plc delivering up to 1,500 L (400 US gal) per minute from a 35 t (77,000 lb) total fuel capacity, between 120 to 300 kn (220 to 560 km/h) and from 2,000 to 32,000 ft (610 to 9,750 m).
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KC-390 - RIAT 2018. (Airwolfhound / Wiki Common)
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International Aero Engines (IAE) was chosen by Embraer in July 2011 to design, develop, supply and install V2500-E5 powerplant in the KC-390 aircraft. IAE is a consortium comprising Rolls-Royce, United Technologies Unit, Pratt & Whitney and Japanese Aero Engine Corp.
The KC-390 can fly to a maximum altitude of 10,973 m. Its maximum speed is 987.8 km/h. The normal and ferry range of the aircraft are 2,590 km and 6,130 km respectively. The aircraft weighs around 23,600 kg and its maximum take-off weight is 74,400 kg.
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KC390 - RIAT 2018. (Airwolfhound / Wiki Common)
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The KC-390's avionics are exceptional for an aircraft of its class. They include HUD displays for both the pilot and co-pilot, a night vision system, a GPS system, and a CARP ("Computed Air Release Point") system that allows for the automatic opening of the cargo doors and release of cargo at a specific point in mid-air.
Both the pilot and co-pilot have identical controls and instruments at their stations, and all the functions of the KC-390 are controlled and managed via a digital fly-by-wire system.
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Embraer KC-390 Millennium. (Anna Zvereva / Wiki Common)
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A total of 68 KC-390s have been ordered by 2014, by seven different nations. These are Argentina (6), Brazil (28), Chile (6), Colombia (12), the Czech Republic (2), and Portugal (5-6). In addition to the aircraft already ordered by the Brazilian military, they currently plan to acquire a further 100.
France also planned to acquire 12 KC-390s, though the order has not been placed. Israel, South Africa, and Sweden are also reportedly evaluating the KC-390 for possible purchase. Several civilian companies have also expressed interest in purchasing them.
General characteristics
- Crew: Two flight crew
- Capacity: 80 troops / 74 stretchers / 66 paratroopers / 7 463L master pallets
- Length: 33.5 m (110.0 ft)
- Wingspan: 33.9 m (111.3 ft)
- Height: 11.4 m (37.5 ft)
- Max takeoff weight: 86,999 kg (191,800 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 23,000 kg (50,700 lb), 35,000 kg (77,160 lb) with 3 aux. fuel tanks
- Useful lift: 26,000 kg (57,320 lb)
- Hold length × height × width: 18.5×3.0×3.4 m (60.6×9.8×11.3 ft)
- Powerplant: 2 × IAE V2500-E5 turbofan, 139.4 kN (31,330 lbf) thrust each
- Cruise speed: 870 km/h (540 mph, 470 kn) Mach 0.8
- Stall speed: 193 km/h (120 mph, 104 kn) IAS
- Range: 2,820 km (1,750 mi, 1,520 nmi) 23,000 kg (50,700 lb) payload
- Ferry range: 6,130 km (3,810 mi, 3,310 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 11,000 m (36,000 ft)
- RWR / chaff & flare (self-defense systems)
- DIRCM - Directional Infrared Countermeasures (self-defense systems)
- In-flight refueling system
- Dual HUD system
- Cabin lighting compatible with night vision systems
- Accurate load drop point calculation system
- EEPGS – Emergency Electric Power Generator System type RAT (Ram Air Turbine)
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