Embraer KC-390

[Sparkplug]

New Portuguese transport squadron: 'Rinocerontes'

https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/new-portuguese-transport-squadron-rinocerontes


Credit photos: Portuguese Air Force


Credit photos: Portuguese Air Force

[Harald]

Portugal activates KC-390 aircraft squadron

The Portuguese Air Force (FAP) formally activated its new transport squadron on 20 May.

Five Embraer KC-390 Millennium multimission transport aircraft will be operated by 506 Squadron at Beja Air Base No 11. The aircraft were acquired in August 2019 under an EUR827 million (USD894 million) contract to replace the C-130H Hercules aircraft of 501 Squadron.

The first aircraft, which is undergoing final certification by the Portuguese National Aeronautical Authority, will be formally received in 2023. The final aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2027.

The contract includes a Rheinmetall full flight simulator; maintenance of the fleet; an Elbit systems electronic warfare suite and related support; ground support equipment; maintenance of the V2500-E5 engine; medical evacuation (medevac) kit; firefighting module; air-to-air refuelling system; the construction of new infrastructure; and refurbishing existing infrastructure, the Ministry of National Defence told Janes .

The Portuguese KC-390 includes NATO standard equipment, such as the Link-16 datalink system; a Mode 4/5 identification friend or foe transponder; and communications equipment.

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/air-platforms/latest/portugal-activates-kc-390-aircraft-squadron

Nieuwe militaire groep krijgt theoretische training op het KC-390 vliegtuig in Brazili? av️
Vier piloten, zes loadmasters, zes elektroplane Mechanics en zes elektromechanica zijn begonnen met de theoretische kwalificatie van dat vliegtuig, en de opleiding zal naar verwachting eind mei eindigen.

https://www.facebook.com/PortugueseAirForce/posts/pfbid02XgjVq8aSKkMFPGqNsGVUNHdRq2ULnWrWfzBFadiRpe9nCbeMNMzBk6wwBppnLdSdl

https://emfa.pt/noticia-4123-?fbclid=IwAR16JoLxNbuwINDtrH8pgiubjF_0TnmaHc8YpgUr1F6lHj-2O1ZtMRz97x4

[Ace1]

Sweden, Colombia interested in Embraer's KC-390, says Brazilian minister

RIO DE JANEIRO, April 14 (Reuters) - Brazilian Defense Minister Jose Mucio said late Thursday that countries such as Sweden and Colombia had expressed interest in buying Embraer's (EMBR3.SA) KC-390 military cargo aircraft.

Mucio said he held nearly 20 bilateral meetings during the LAAD defense and security fair this week and, in some of them, the KC-390 was on the agenda.

"Evidently, these sales need to be planned, studied and evaluated, to have a source of financing, a guarantee. But the concept of the KC-390 is very big with all the countries," he told Reuters.

"Sweden itself has talked about the KC-390, others have also talked about it and it's a big success. Sweden was expected to give an answer and Colombia is also interested in making an acquisition," he added.

So far, the Brazilian Air Force has ordered 19 of the aircraft from Embraer.

In addition to Brazil, Portugal and Hungary have already acquired it, while the Netherlands selected the aircraft last year for purchase.

Earlier this week, Reuters reported, citing sources, that Austria was looking to advance in talks with Embraer on purchasing four or five KC-390 aircraft.

Embraer Defense CEO, Bosco da Costa Junior, told Reuters earlier this year the company aimed for more international deals, focusing especially on increasing sales of the KC-390.

In a new interview at LAAD on Wednesday, Costa Junior reiterated that "several countries" were in talks for possible purchases of the freighter, although he did not specify which ones.

Mucio said the certification of the cargo aircraft by the NATO Western military alliance could open doors in the European market and others.

"The production in Portugal is important because it already meets NATO's pre-requisites," he said, explaining that manufacturing the aircraft in Brazil to sell in Europe does not meet some NATO requirements.

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/sweden-colombia-interested-embraers-kc-390-says-brazilian-minister-2023-04-14/

[Ace1]

Austria, Embraer discussing C-390 purchase at Rio defense fair -sources

RIO DE JANEIRO, April 12 (Reuters) - Austria is looking to advance in talks with Brazilian planemaker Embraer SA (EMBR3.SA) at the LAAD defense and security fair on purchasing four or five KC-390 military cargo aircraft, two sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

The move is part of the Embraer Defense unit's goal to expand its foreign revenue share this year, focusing on foreign sales of the C-390 Millennium - as the jet-engine transport plane is also known - as reported by Reuters this year.

Austria participated in a meeting of KC-390 users last month in Portugal. Hungary, which already bought the plane, the Netherlands, which has selected the plane to renew its fleet, and the Czech Republic also attended the meeting.

An Austrian delegation traveled to Brazil for LAAD, and one of the people said further talks regarding the KC-390 were on their agenda, although a final decision on a purchase was still to be made.

The Austrian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside business hours.

Austria is looking to renew its fleet of Lockheed Martin's (LMT.N) Hercules C-130s. The country announced it would procure four to five aircraft for contract signing in the first half of 2024, with delivery no later than 2030.

"The KC-390 is being looked at and there is mutual interest," a second industry source said on Wednesday.

The news comes as Embraer on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding with Sweden's Saab (SAABb.ST) to position the KC-390 as the preferred solution for the Swedish Air Force's tactical air transport requirements and to pursue new business opportunities.

"There are talks with several countries," Embraer Defense CEO Bosco da Costa Junior told Reuters on the sidelines of LAAD. He did not specify countries, but noted it was public that Austria and the Czech Republic had recently participated in a meeting of KC-390 users.

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/austria-embraer-discussing-c-390-purchase-rio-defense-fair-sources-2023-04-12/

[silvester herc]

Zit  er nu wel dik in dat Zweden ook voor C-390 gaat samen met NL!

[Harald]

Saab and Embraer Announce Memorandum of Understanding for New Opportunities   ( zat er alwel aan te komen ... kans is groot dat Zweden kiest voor C-390 )

Saab and Embraer will deepen the collaboration between the companies in several areas, mainly related to business development and engineering opportunities.

https://www.saab.com/newsroom/press-releases/2023/saab-and-embraer-announce-memorandum-of-understanding-for-new-opportunities

Saab and Embraer S.A. announced today at LAAD, in Rio de Janeiro, the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen the collaboration between the companies in several areas, mainly related to business development and engineering opportunities.



The companies will collaborate to position the C-390 Millennium aircraft as the preferred solution to meet the Swedish Air Force tactical air transport requirements, and will also evaluate the integration of Saab equipment and systems into the C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft.

The companies will also pursue new business opportunities, including potential future customers of the Gripen, in Brazil and Latin America, considering the use of the Gripen Design and Development Network (GDDN), the Gripen Flight Test Center (GFTC) and the final assembly line at Embraer, in Gavi?o Peixoto. By doing so, Embraer and Saab will collaborate to increase Embraer?s participation in future Gripen contracts.

Finally, the companies will collaborate on engineering and technical future fighter studies, thus consolidating the transfer of technology carried out by Saab for the Brazilian defense industry within the current Gripen program for the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). This work can support the future growth of Gripen E out to 2060 and other future fighter needs as they arise.

?Our two companies have worked together to deliver an outstanding capability for Brazil that will last for decades. This MoU is an important and gratifying step toward growing that co-operation into new areas between Saab and Embraer that goes beyond Brazil, while maximising our existing achievements,? said Saab?s President and CEO Micael Johansson.

?Saab and Embraer are two world leaders in the aerospace segment, recognized for the excellence of their engineering and products. I view this MoU with extreme optimism, as I am sure that the two companies together can further grow their business in various markets around the world,? said Bosco da Costa Junior, Embraer Defense and Security President & CEO.

Gripen E/F is a multi-role fighter aircraft system designed to defeat any adversary. Made for forward-thinking air forces, Gripen incorporates cutting-edge technologies, the latest systems, sensors, weapons and pods to ensure combat advantage, delivering air superiority in highly contested environments.

In 2014 Saab and the Brazilian Government signed the contract to supply the Brazilian Air Force with 36 Gripen aircraft, which includes not only the aircraft, but also logistical support, weapons, support systems, simulators, training and development. The Gripen programme represents the most extensive technology transfer ever done by Saab, which is driving the development of Brazil?s Defence Industry through local companies, having Embraer as its main strategic partner in the country.

The C-390 Millennium is the most modern military tactical transport aircraft of the new generation. Its multi-mission platform offers incomparable mobility, combining high productivity and operating flexibility with low operating costs, which is an unbeatable combination. The C-390 Millennium can carry more payload (26 tons) compared to other medium-sized military cargo aircraft and flies faster (470 knots) and farther, being capable of performing a wide range of missions such as transporting and dropping cargo and troops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting and humanitarian missions, operating on temporary or unpaved runways (i.e. including packed earth, soil and gravel).

In its refueling version, the aircraft has already proven its aerial refueling capacity, as well as an aircraft receiving fuel from another KC-390 using pods installed under the wings, being the only aircraft in the world in the segment to carry out such an operation. Recently, the aircraft has achieved the Full Operational Capability (FOC), confirming that the project meets all the requirements defined and that the aircraft can successfully execute all missions for which it was designed.

[Harald]

https://www.luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nieuws/categorie/4/militair/embraer-c-390-nu-geschikt-voor-alle-diensten

EMBRAER C-390 NU GESCHIKT VOOR ALLE DIENSTEN

[Ace1]

Heeft Sweden toch andere plannen met hun Herc vervanging ?   Misschien nog een kans voor de KC-390 ?    mooie tegen order vanuit Zweden voor Embraer Brazilie

Ja Zweden doet mee met het FUTURE MEDIUM-SIZE TACTICAL CARGO (FMTC) programma  wat tussen de C-295 en de A400M  komt.

https://www.pesco.europa.eu/project/future-medium-size-tactical-cargo-fmtc/

https://www.snafu-solomon.com/2021/12/a200m-smaller-a400m-to-replace-c-130.html

Als je op google zoekt naar Airbus A200M/A410M dan kun je nog meer info vinden.

https://www.defensa.com/opinion/reto-espana-sea-socio-programa-futuro-avion-a200m

https://www.aviacionline.com/2020/11/fctm-la-competencia-europea-al-lockheed-c-130-hercules/

https://www.aviacionline.com/2022/07/fmtc-project-birth-of-a-new-european-medium-tactical-transport-aircraft/?fbclid=IwAR29DHO4ht7Msvwa6fsztYXSzFpJB2fCZ8DV2-uaVnMn2FdwCmj9n-udNnc

De A200M/A410M is juist bedoeldt voor export niet ieder land heeft het budget om A400M's aan te schaffen. Je kunt als vliegtuigfabrikant heel makkelijk een bestaande romp verkleinen of vergroten dit bespaart ontwikkelingskosten. En als je dan ook nog eens bestaande motoren, bestaande avionica, en een bestaande cockpit kunt gebruiken dan scheelt dat ook nog 
ontwikkelingskosten, opleidingskosten en voorraadkosten en je hebt veel sneller een vergunning van de autoriteiten die over het afgeven van een vliegcertificaat gaan.

Fokker heeft bij de Fokker F70 gewoon de romp van de Fokker F100 gebruikt, avionica, cockpit instrumenten , motoren van de Fokker F100 gebruikt.

https://eda.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/2023/01/27/eda-to-support-two-pesco-projects-dedicated-to-future-european-airlift-capabilities

https://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2023-news-aviation-aerospace/january/8881-european-defence-agency-supports-two-pesco-projects-on-future-european-airlift-capabilities.html?utm_content=cmp-true

[Parera]

Heeft Sweden toch andere plannen met hun Herc vervanging ?   Misschien nog een kans voor de KC-390 ?    mooie tegen order vanuit Zweden voor Embraer Brazilie

https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/sweden-to-investigate-c-130h-replacement-options-after-quotation-from-industry-thrown-out/

Inderdaad mooie oplossing,  en misschien kunnen ze wel aansluiten bij ons. We hebben vaker samen materiaal gekocht dus beide DMO?s kennen elkaar goed. 5 KC-390M?s voor ons + 5 voor Zweden met een optie voor elk land voor een 6e kist in de toekomst.

[Harald]

Heeft Sweden toch andere plannen met hun Herc vervanging ?   Misschien nog een kans voor de KC-390 ?    mooie tegen order vanuit Zweden voor Embraer Brazilie

Sweden to investigate C-130H replacement options after ?quotation from industry? thrown out

Stockholm had previously planned on carrying out a mid-life upgrade to extend the life of the C-130H fleet out to 2030, before deciding on the Italian second hand aircraft plan.

Sweden will reassess options to replace a fleet of six Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules tactical airlifters after an attempt to acquire used C-130J Super Hercules aircraft unexpectedly failed to meet requirements.

The acquisition ?needs to be reviewed after completed analysis of quotation from industry,? stated a translated version of the Swedish Armed Forces Budget 2024.

The Swedish Armed Forces now intend on sharing a ?new action plan? with the government to be included in future budget documents or by alternative means, according to the document, published Feb. 28.

The report itself does not contain any additional details about the parties involved in the failed acquisition process. However, according to a report from Key Aero, the Swedish Air Force agreed in June 2022 to buy two second hand C-130?s from Italy, with plans on acquiring an additional four aircraft from Rome down the line.

Former Swedish Air Force Commander, Maj Gen Carl-Johan Edstr?m, said at the time that the first two used Italian C-130?s would be delivered to Sweden in 2023.

Neither the Swedish MoD and the Italian MoD responded to a request for comment on the matter at the time of publication.

?We are prepared to support the Swedish Air Force in meeting its current and future tactical airlift requirements with the C-130J Super Hercules, which has distinguished itself as the global choice in tactical airlift,? said a Lockheed Martin spokesperson in a statement to Breaking Defense.

Stockholm had previously planned on carrying out a mid-life upgrade to extend the life of the C-130H fleet out to 2030, before deciding on the Italian second hand aircraft plan.

Further procurement delay brought on by developing a ?new action plan? comes after the latest Swedish Armed Forces annual report revealed that the C-130 fleet experienced low availability in 2022 because the aircraft remained with Lockheed ?longer than expected.?

Swedish Air Force acquisition problems are not confined to the C-130 alone. It axed the NH90 helicopter program in November 2022, following senior officials citing poor availability of the aircraft. A decline in Gripen fighter jet flight hours caused by a pilot shortage also looks set to test the service long term and puts obvious pressure on the backbone of Swedish air power at a time when Russian threats have become more acute since the war in Ukraine.

More generally, Russia?s actions have led to Sweden dropping military non-alliance and applying, alongside Finland, to join NATO, vowing to reach the alliance?s 2 percent defense spending target by 2026.

https://breakingdefense.com/2023/03/sweden-to-investigate-c-130h-replacement-options-after-quotation-from-industry-thrown-out/

[Ace1]

KC-390 na Eindhoven op bezoek in Finland.

[Ace1]

Brazil further cuts KC-390 order

Brazil has again cut its buy of Embraer KC-390 Millennium tanker transport aircraft, reducing its order by a further three aircraft on 21 October.

Having recently reduced its KC-390 procurement from 28 to 22 aircraft, the Brazilian Air Force (For?a A?rea Brasileira: FAB) will now receive just 19 under a deal announced by Embraer.

?The amendments to the contracts preserve the company's cash flow, ensure the economic, and financial viability of the KC-390 Millennium project,? Embraer said in a statement. ?Embraer reinforces its commitment to the KC-390/C-390 Millennium project ? as well as its belief in the export potential of this product, which brings unique innovations in its category, and which has already been selected by three European nations,? it added.

With the FAB having introduced the KC-390 in 2019, the twin-jet type is fielded by 11 Wing located at Gale?o in Rio de Janeiro, and 2 Wing at An?polis. To date, four aircraft have been accepted into service.

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/brazil-further-cuts-kc-390-order

[Sparkplug]

First Portuguese KC-390 has arrived

PUBLISHED: 16 OCTOBER 2022   LAST UPDATED: 16 OCTOBER 2022


Photo: Força Aérea Portuguesa

The first Embraer KC-390, PT-ZDK (c/n 390000011), for the Força Aérea Portuguesa (Portuguese Air Force) has arrived today, 16 October 2022 at its new homebase Beja (BA 11).

It departed yesterday from Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo, Brazil, en route to Portugal. On the last leg of its flight the new Embraer was escorted by two General Dynamics F-16s. It was delivered under its test registration PT-ZDK, but will ultimately receive the Portuguese serial 26901.

After touching Portuguese soil, the KC-390 will undergo a phase of integration of NATO equipment and certified by the National Aeronautical Authority. It is recalled that Portugal ordered five KC-390 Millennium aircraft and a simulator in 2019, and the first Portuguese crew successfully completed the qualification course in November 2021.

https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/first-portuguese-kc-390-has-arrived

[Sparkplug]

First KC-390 for Hungary on final assembly line

PUBLISHED: 08 OCTOBER 2022   LAST UPDATED: 08 OCTOBER 2022


Photo via EMBRAER

On 7 October 2022, Embraer released a photo of the first Embraer KC-390 Millenium for the Magyar Légierö (ML, Hungarian Air Force). The aircraft has serial 610 and this coincided with the artist impression that was released in November 2020.

On 17 november 2020, Scramble Magazine reported that the Hungarian government signed a contract for the purchase of two KC-390s with air-to-air refuelling (AAR) capability. The contract includes training of pilots and technicians, other services and support to strengthen the Hungarian Defence Forces.

According to the information Embraer is currently assembling the semi-wings on the aircraft's fuselage. Flight tests of the first aircraft will begin in the second half of 2023, with delivery taking place in the second quarter of 2024.

The second KC-390 for Hungary is scheduled to begin production in December 2022, thus maintaining the original schedule, and is expected to be delivered by the end of 2024.

The KC-390s destined for the Hungarian Air Force will be the first in the world with the Intensive Care Unit in its configuration, an essential feature for performing humanitarian missions.

In June 2022, Embraer and Aeroplex signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate on a project to qualify Aeroplex as an Embraer Authorized Service Center (EASC) in Hungary. The aim is to support and enable Aeroplex to provide maintenance for the Hungarian Defence Forces KC-390 Millennium aircraft.

https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/first-kc-390-for-hungary-on-final-assembly-line

[Harald]

'Tactical tanker': Why L3Harris, Embraer think KC-390 offering can dodge new tanker wars



The last time the US Air Force had an open competition to build a new aerial refueling plane, the fight became so nasty that it became known as "the tanker wars." Now, with the service currently weighing both a near-term and long-term strategy for new tankers, it's hard not to wonder if there's a redux of the brutal lobbying fight on the horizon.

Stepping into that potential battleground last week was the combination of US firm L3Harris Technologies and Brazilian firm Embraer, offering a modified version of the latter's KC-390 tanker effort, equipped with a boom refueling system. And the strategy for avoiding getting caught up in a fight like the one from a decade ago — and avoiding being tarred as a foreign-made product — seems fairly simple: position the KC-390 as a different class of tanker altogether than what is currently on the market.

..../....

https://breakingdefense.com/2022/09/tactical-tanker-why-l3harris-embraer-think-kc-390-offering-can-dodge-new-tanker-wars/