Embraer launches development of jet-powered KC-390 military tanker/transport aircraft

On April 14, the first day of the Latin American Aerospace and Defence (LAAD) trade fair in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian company Embraer signed a contract with the Força Aeria Brasiliera (FAB), or Brazilian Air Force, to launch development of the twin jet-powered KC-390 military tanker/transport aircraft.

     Powered by two 27,000lb thrust turbofan jet engines, the KC-390 will have a gross take-off weight of 72t, with 22t of fuel in the wings and a 19t payload. It is expected to take off in 1,100m, cruise at 36,000ft at a maximum speed of Mach 0.8 and have an operating range, at full payload, of 1,500 nmi (2,780 km). To meet FAB specifications, the KC-390 must be able to operate from short, unpaved runways and land on ice, without the need for ground support.

    According to Orlando Ferreira Neto, Embraer’s Vice President for Defence, the cargo hold will be 20-25% larger than on competing aircraft, with a flat floor and no height restrictions.

     With a unit price estimated at about US$50 million, the medium-sized KC-390 is likely to become a serious competitor to the 21.7 tonne-payload, turboprop-powered Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules, which can cost up to US$120 million per aircraft.

Development

The development contract for the KC-390 is worth some US$1.3 billion and is scheduled to lead to a first flight, with one of the two planned prototypes, in 2013. The FAB then plans to order an initial 22 aircraft for service from 2015.

     Embraer has already signed one co-development partnership deal, with South Africa’s Denel-Saab, and it says that “participation of other countries will be evaluated in conjunction with the FAB.” Supplier selection is expected to be completed by April 2011, when the final design is scheduled to be frozen.

     Based originally on Embraer’s commercial EMB-190 regional jet, the design of the KC-390 was changed substantially after discussions with the FAB. Unlike the EMB-190, the twin-engined, wide-body aircraft now features a high wing, a T-tail and a rear ramp. It is designed to carry a wide range of cargo types including one 8x8 wheeled armoured vehicle, or one tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), or three 4x4 wheeled HMMWVs, plus the latest loading and unloading systems. The large cabin can also be configured to carry troops or MEDEVAC cases.

    The new aircraft can be refuelled in flight, to extend its range, and can also be used as a tanker to refuel other aircraft in flight or on the ground. For the latter purpose, it can carry 9.5t of additional fuel in palletised tanks in the cargo hold. The aircraft will feature fly-by-wire, for reduced pilot work-load and improved safety.

Potential market

Embraer officials have said that company studies show a potential world market for up to 695 aircraft in the KC-390 class by 2024, especially as replacements for older C-130s which are coming to the end of their service lives. The company hopes to corner one third of this market, bringing in some US$18 billion in revenues.

      And Sergio Bellato Alvares, Embraer’s Vice-President Asia, announced at the Aero India show earlier this year that the company aims to secure civil certification for the KC-390 under US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 25 regulations.

    “We know that it will be a headache… to get the certification, but we believe, based on our experience with commercial jets, that it will pay off,” said Bellato. “This will allow companies like FedEx and DHL to use this aircraft to fly cargo around the world.” The Brazilian postal service, the Correios, has shown interest in buying at least five and eventually up to 25 KC-390s, in lieu of using commercial freight services for mail transport.

  Click here to go to the  previous page