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AIRCRAFT - FIXED-WING - MILITARY, Brazil

Date Posted: 04-Feb-2015

UPDATED

00022050
Jane's All the World's Aircraft

Embraer KC-390
Contents
Type
Programme
Customers
Costs
Design Features
Flying Controls
Structure
Landing Gear
Power Plant
Accommodation
Systems
Avionics
Comms
Radar
Flight
Instrumentation
Mission
Self Defence
Contractor
Type
Tanker-transport.
Programme
C-390 study announced 19 April 2007, during the Latin America Aero & Defence Exhibition in Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil. Market assessment began in 2005. Design definition due for completion by end
of 2007; development to take four years from launch to first delivery. In early 2008, Embraer was
expecting launch decision by end of that year. Was also investigating civil market, including
Brazilian postal service.
These plans modified during 2008 when Brazilian Air Force (FAB) issued request for proposals to
be delivered in November of that year. By that time, C-390 had relinquished conventional
empennage for T tail. Selection of industrial partners was scheduled to begin in 2009, although by
late 2008, Denel of South Africa had already announced intention to join.

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Agreement for formal launch, as KC-390, signed with Brazilian Air Force on 14 April 2009, calling
for two prototypes to fly in mid-2014, certification and tooling and jigs for production, allowing
entry to service in 2015. Two definition studies over 24-month period beginning May 2009 to lead
to final configuration; following 12 months assigned to joint definition, involving integration of
international partners. Brazilian requirement stated in July 2010 letter of intent to be 28 aircraft.
Bilateral talks in 2010 resulted in Chile (24 August), Colombia (1 September), Portugal (10
September), Czech Republic (13 September) and Argentina (late October) signing Declaration of
Intents to join the programme and express interest in acquiring six, 12, six, two and six KC-390s,
respectively. Declarations marked start of negotiations for industrial participation between
Embraer and ENAER, CAIC, Portuguese firms, Aero Vodochody and Fbrica Argentina de Avines
'Brigadier San Martn' (FAdeA). Argentine and Czech involvement confirmed 13 April 2011. Chile
and Colombia did not proceed to industrial development agreement. FAdeA manufacturing
spoilers, nose landing gear doors, ramp door, flap fairings, tail cone and electronic cabinet; Aero
Vodochody, rear fuselage II section, crew and parachutist doors, emergency door and hatches,
cargo ramp and fixed leading edge of wing. Contract with OGMA-Indstria Aeronutica de
Portugal and Empresa de Engenharia Aeronutica (EEA) signed on 14 December 2011 for
engineering work to be undertaken on KC-390 components; OGMA will build centre fuselage
panels, elevators, fairings and landing gear doors; EEA will provide engineering for the project.
IAE V2500-E5 selected July 2011.
By early 2012, Embraer looking at integrating refuelling boom with KC-390 and optional
installation of refuelling receptacle (in place of probe). Stretched variant incorporating side cargo
door studied, potentially to be fielded by 2018; renewed talks held with Brazilian postal service
and other potential customers to produce civil cargo transport version; no commitment to develop
such version by late 2014.
On 26 June 2012 Boeing announced memorandum of understanding to collaborate on KC-390 to
share "specific technical knowledge" (experience of C-17A and tankers) and evaluate markets
where the two companies can work together to offer the KC-390. On 18 June 2013 Embraer
announced it had signed a marketing deal with Boeing; US company will lead sales, marketing,
training and sustainment of KC-390 in US, UK and two unnamed Middle East countries.
Preliminary design review presented to Fora Area Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian Air Force) command
20-29 August 2012; contract reassessment 19 October 2012 after review by programme executive
of the KC-X project, reducing development costs by USD42 million; critical design review,
presented to FAB 4 to 22 March 2013, completion allowing release of drawings to allow production
of prototype to commence; in early 2013 first flight scheduled for second half of 2014; serial
production in 2015, ramping up to 1.5 aircraft per month. US FAA certification expected 2015;
initial operational clearance 3Q15 (later 2016); initial deliveries late 2015/early 2016; final
operational clearance 1Q16.
Delivery by Rockwell Collins of first software updates for Pro Line Fusion avionics announced 26
March 2014. Initial rear fuselage built by Aero Vodochody departed Prague, 17 March 2014, last
major component to be delivered; 6.5 m 4.5 m 3.3 m (21 ft 4 in 14 ft 9 in 10 ft 10 in).
Final assembly of first KC-390 began late April 2014 at Gavio Peixoto, So Paulo state; fuselage
joined before wings added (Embraer traditionally starts with integration of wing box and centre
fuselage). By April 2014, iron bird test rig under assembly at Eugnio de Melo engineering facility
at So Jos dos Compos in So Paulo; to validate avionics, flight controls, electric and hydraulic

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systems. Also engineering mock-up of cockpit and forward section used to help define flight deck
and mission systems avionics. Ceremony to mark opening of assembly line at Gavio Peixoto held
20 May 2014.
Initial firm order was FAB signing of series production contract for 28, plus logistical support
package, on 20 May 2014; 'complementary documentation' to confirm order then due to be
completed within 90 days; first for FAB to be delivered late 2016, last in 2026. Two non-flying
strength and fatigue airframes planned.
Prototype (PT-ZNF) rolled out 21 October 2014; certification of 'green' aircraft due before end of
2015, with final operational clearance mid-2016, prior to delivery of initial examples to Brazilian Air
Force 2H16; FAB initial operating capability with four or five KC-390 transports early 2017.
Embraer states production outside Brazil possible for sufficiently large order.
Customers
Market estimated by Embraer at 728 in 77 countries (Embraer looking for 15 to 20% share) in first
ten years, primarily as Lockheed C-130 Hercules replacement. Commitments for 60, comprising
letters of intent from Argentina (six), Brazil (28, half to be equipped with modular AAR package;
requirement for 10 more), Chile (six), Colombia (12), Czech Republic (two) and Portugal (six). By
series production contract in May 2014, Brazil to receive KC-390 from 2H16; 22 transports, six
tankers, plus both refurbished prototypes, all to be in service by 2023. France stated it would
purchase KC-390s if Dassault Rafale selected for FAB's F-X2 requirement (Saab Gripen chosen
instead). Brazilian Air Force stated 27 February 2014 that Sweden may purchase KC-390s as part
of proposed offset agreements for Brazil's Gripen NG. KC-390 offered for Canadian Fixed-Wing
Search and Rescue requirement.
Marketing campaign launched 9 April 2013; production target of 140 to 210 KC-390s revealed
November 2013. In addition to transport and aerial refuelling, KC-390 offered for search and
rescue, medical evacuation, humanitarian airlift, fire fighting, oil spill dispersal, and air-drop
resupply roles.
Costs
USD1.6 billion development programme signed April 2009; total development cost USD2.3 billion
to USD2.4 billion; unit cost estimated at USD50 million to USD69 million (both 2013). Brazilian Air
Force contract for 28 in May 2014, plus logistical support, USD3.26 billion (USD116 million each).
Design Features
Twin-jet STOL military transport with T tail and rear loading ramp. Intended for medium (5 to 10
tonne payload) and heavy (10 to 20 tonnes) market sector, currently dominated by turboprops.
Able to operate in Antarctica and from semi-prepared airstrips containing holes up to 40 cm (16
in) deep. Design goals originally included ability to operate without need for ground support;
however, by late 2008, design no longer accommodated operations from austere airstrips. Draws
on elements of Embraer 170/190 family technology, including wing, flight deck and control
system, although closer correlation with civil airliner technology did not survive 2008 refinement of
design. New wider fuselage cross-section; choice between metal and composites fuselage
structure had not been made by early 2009. High wing with anhedral and moderate sweepback.

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Intended payload 19 tonnes (18.7 tons) was increased to 21 tonnes (20.7 tons) in announcement
of July 2010; maximum payload later 23,000 kg (51,588 lb), with maximum 'concentrated payload'
26,000 kg (57,320 lb). Provision for underwing Cobham aerial refuelling pods. Cobham will
develop aerial refuelling probe. Will be certified to civil FAR Pt.25. A-check every 600 flight hours;
C-check every 10 years.
Flying Controls
Fly-by-wire control system standard. BAE Systems flight control computers and actuator control
electronics; Goodrich Corporation electro-hydrostatic actuators, electro-backup hydrostatic
actuators, actuator electronics and electrical controls for primary flight control. Sagem horizontal
stabiliser trim system. Goodrich Corporation air data system.
Each wing has five slats (four outboard and one inboard of engine pylon); five spoilers; inboard
and outboard flaps; and hinge-mounted aileron. Hinge-mounted, two-piece rudder with three flyby-wire rudder servo actuators; hinge-mounted elevator, dual servo-actuators. Variable-incidence
tailplane.
Structure
Composites used for all flying controls and panniers.
KC-390 partners and suppliers

Company

Components

Aceturri

Wing-to-fuselage fairing

ACSS

TCAS, transponder and IFF

AEL Sistemas

Mission computer, self-protection suite, DIRCM, head-up display and

other avionics

Aernnova

Composites flaps, ailerons and rudder

Aero Vodochody

Risk-sharing partner. Metallic components, including design and

production of fixed leading-edges, rear upper fuselage, cargo ramp, crew
and emergency doors, hatches

Aerotron

Ballistics protection

Akaer Engineering

Engineering for fuselage, wing and landing gear door

BAE Systems

Flight control electronics and sidestick controllers

B/E Aerospace

Oxygen system

Cobham

Air-refuelling pods, refuelling probe, auxiliary fuselage fuel tank, nose

radome, passenger address system

DRS Defense
Solutions

Cargo handling and delivery system

Eaton Corp

Fuel system components

EEA/OGMA

Composites landing-gear panniers and doors, elevators

Elbit Systems

J-MUSIC

ELEB

Landing gear

Embraer

Integration of mission systems and avionics, development of mission

software. Production of aluminium components; segment II aft fuselage,

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centre fuselage sections fore and aft of wing, rear door to centre
fuselage. Final assembly
Esterline Control
Systems

Throttle control, pedals and cockpit controls, landing gear flight deck
controls

FAdeA

Risk-sharing partner. Metallic and composites tailcone, metallic cargo

ramp doors, spoilers, flap fairing, electronic rack and composite
nosewheel landing gear doors

Fischer

Cockpit seats, loadmaster seat

Goodrich

Flight control system, ice detector, air data system, windshield heating,
fuel quantity gauge and control system, FBW primary- and spoiler flight
actuators

Hamilton Sundstrand

Electrical generating system

Hispano-Suiza

Primary and secondary electric power distribution, ram air turbine

Hutchinson

Thermal acoustic insulation

International Aero
Engines

Integrated power plant incorporating V2500-E5 engines

IPS

Transformer rectifier unit

LH Colus

Seats and stretchers

Liebherr

Cabin pressure controls, air conditioning system

LMI Aerospace

Metallic slats

Magnaghi

Cargo door actuation system

Meggitt Safety
Systems

Fire protection system

Messier-BugattiDowty

Wheels and brake assemblies, landing gear system hydraulic control

components, brake controls, steering hydraulic manifold

Northrop Grumman

LITEF LCR-100 attitude and heading reference system

OGMA

Risk-sharing partner. Centre fuselage, wingpanels, longerons, horizontal

stabilisers, landing gear fairings

Pall Aerospace

Hydraulic filters

Pratt & Whitney

AeroPower

APS3240E auxiliary power unit

RFD

Liferaft, ELT

Rockwell Collins

Pro Line Fusion flight deck avionics, mission avionics

Rockwell Collins do
Brazil

Cockpit displays, control panels

Rodhe & Schwarz

V/UHF radio

SAGEM

Horizontal stabiliser actuation and trim systems

Selex Galileo

Tactical radar

Ultra Electronics

Landing gear-, hydraulic- and steering control units, controls and sensors
for cargo door, ramp, ramp extensions, paratrooper air deflector,
stabiliser struts, and associated hydraulics

UTC Aerospace
Systems -

Nacelle, thrust reversers and engine build-up equipment

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Aerostructures
Landing Gear
Retractable tricycle type with two four-wheel main bogies and twin nosewheels; main units retract
into fuselage side panniers; nose gear retracts forward. Built by ELEB Equipamentos. MessierBugatti-Dowty aluminium wheels, carbon brakes, brake-by-wire units, landing gear extension and
retraction system, and nose-wheel steering manifold. Electronic controls and sensors for the
landing gear, nose wheel steering and associated hydraulics by Ultra Electronics.
Power Plant
Two 120 kN (27,000 lb st) IAE V2500-E5 turbofan engines with cascade-type thrust reversers,
pod-mounted on pylons beneath wings. US Federal Aviation Administration certified V2500-E5 on
27 August 2014. In-flight refuelling boom mounted above flight deck. Fuel in seven wing tanks;
max 28,140 litres (7,698 US gallons; 6,410 Imp gallons). Removable hold tanks for airborne
refuelling role with additional 17,435 litres (4,606 US gallons; 3,835 Imp gallons); Cobham Mk 912
air refuelling pods. Eaton Corporation will design, develop and supply airframe fuel system
components. Goodrich Corporation fuel quantity gauging and control system; Eaton on-board inert
gas generation system for fuel tanks.
Accommodation
Two pilots with sidestick controllers. Aerotron ballistic protection for cockpit. Six-section
windscreen.
Loadmaster's seat in forward cabin; further seat on both sides in rear of cabin. Forward cabin
houses crew rest area with bunks; toilet and washroom, and galley. Crew door with pneumatic
dampers, fully folding airstairs and handrail, forward fuselage, starboard side; parachutist exit
doors rear of cabin, opens upwards inside aircraft.
Cargo compartment 12.70 m (41 ft 8 in) long, 3.45 m (11 ft 3 in) wide, useful volume 169m3
(5,968 cu ft), with permanent tie-down rings, roller trays, cargo guidance and restraint system.
Quick-change interior can accommodate a range of cargo including medevac cases and armoured
vehicles, and will be equipped with modern loading and unloading systems. Seven 2.24 m (88 in)
463L standard military air cargo pallets, including two on ramp; 36 troops or 30 paratroopers and
six 463Ls; 80 troops. Typical military vehicle loads include one Boxer or Stryker; one BMP-3 tank
or two M-113 APCs. Paratroop door each side, rear. On 22 March 2011, Embraer announced DRS
Training & Control Systems at Fort Walton Beach, Florida, would design, develop, test and
produce the cargo handling and aerial delivery system.
Systems
Pressurisation system max differential 0.52 bar (7.6 lb/sq in). Environmental and cabin pressure
controls by Liebherr Aerospace Toulouse SAS. AEL Sistemas S.A. mission computer; Esterline
Control Systems auto throttle.
Hamilton Sundstrand electric power generating system with 90 kVA integrated drive generator.
Emergency RAT electric power generation system (generator and control unit, deployment and
restow mechanism) from Hispano-Suiza. Pratt & Whitney AeroPower APS3240E auxiliary power
unit. Onboard oxygen generation system. Electronic controls and sensors for the cargo door,
ramp, ramp extension, paratrooper air deflector, stabiliser struts and associated hydraulics, from

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Ultra Electronics. Onboard inert gas generating system for fuel tanks.
Goodrich Corporation ice detector and windscreen ice protection controller.
Avionics
Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics.
Comms
Rockwell Collins HF-9000 high frequency radio. Satellite communications with two channels of
Inmarsat Classic Aero service, one channel of Swift Broadband. IFF, V/UHF, ELT.
Radar
SELEX Galileo T-20 Gabbiano tactical radar.
Flight
Thales High Performance Inertial Reference System; Thales GPS. Rockwell Collins DF-430 direction
finder; synthetic vision with dual AEL Sistemas HUDs. FMS with wide area augmentation system
(WAAS) that supports localizer performance with vertical (LPV) guidance approaches and required
navigation performance (RNP) capabilities; advanced graphical flight planning capability; an
information management system to manage databases and facilitate wireless interactivity with
ground infrastructure. TCAS. Optional integrated flight information systems with electronic charts
and enhanced maps, Rockwell Collins synthetic vision system.
Instrumentation
Five 383 mm (15.1 in) MFDs. NVG compatible. Camera to record pilot's field of view, overlaid with
HUD display, for post flight analysis.
Mission
Rafael Litening II EO/IR pod for SAR missions.
Self Defence
Off-the-shelf AEL Sistemas radar-, laser- and missile-approach warning receivers, directed infrared
countermeasures, chaff/flare dispensers. Elbit J-MUSIC distributed counter-measures (for Brazil;
optional for other operators).

KC-390
Dimensions,
External
Overall
length:

35.20 m (115 ft 5 in)

height:

11.84 m (38 ft 10 in)

Fuselage
ground clearance:

1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) [nacelle]

Wings
wing span:

35.05 m (115 ft 0 in)

Tailplane

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tailplane span:

12.24 m (40 ft 2 in)

Wheels
wheel track:

5.28 m (17 ft 3 in) [c/l shock-absorbers]

Dimensions,
Internal
Hold
length:

18.50 m (60 ft 8 in) [incl ramp]

12.70 m (41 ft 8 in) [excl ramp]

width:

3.45 m (11 ft 3 in) [at floor]

height:

3.20 m (10 ft 6 in) [ aft of wing]

2.95 m (9 ft 8 in) [throughout]

volume:

169 m (5,968 cu ft)

Weights and
Loadings
Weight
Max T-O weight:

80,978 kg (178,525 lb)

Fuel weight
Max fuel weight:

23,400 kg (51,588 lb) [normal, wings]

14,000 kg (30,864 lb) [refuelling, hold]

Payload
Max payload:

26,000 kg (57,320 lb)

19,000 kg (41,887 lb) [normal]

Payload with max

fuel:

13,400 kg (29,541 lb)

Performance
T-O
T-O run:

1,630 m (5,348 ft) [logistical]

1,300 m (4,266 ft) [normal]
1,100 m (3,609 ft) [tactical]

Altitude
Max certified altitude:

10,975 m (36,000 ft)

Speed
Max operating speed:

300 kt (556 km/h; 345 mph) [CAS]

Max operating Mach

number:

0.80

Cruising speed:

465 kt (861 km/h; 535 mph)

g limits:

+2.25 [logistical]
+2.5 [normal]
+3.0 [tactical]

Range:

2,720 n miles (5,037 km; 3,130 miles) [max fuel, logistical MTOW,
reserves 100 n miles (185 km; 115 miles) plus 45 min]
1,320 n miles (2,444 km; 1,519 miles) [max payload, logistical MTOW,
reserves 100 n miles (185 km; 115 miles) plus 45 min]

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3,370 n miles (6,241 km; 3,878 miles) [ferry, logistical MTOW, reserves
100 n miles (185 km; 115 miles) plus 45 min]
Contractor

Empresa Brasileira de Aeronutica SA

Roll out of the prototype Embraer KC-390 transport on 21 October 2014

1533400

Cargo hold details of Embraer KC-390 (2008 version)

1532639

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Embraer KC-390 provisional configuration (Paul Jackson)

1389875

Additional Information
Equipment Details [Equipment - Classification - Manufacturer]:
KC-390 - Tanker aircraft - Embraer

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