Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer signed an agreement with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) on 3 December 2024 at Mostra BID, the National Defense and Security Fair in Brasilia, to deepen collaborative studies aimed at expanding the capabilities of its C-390 Millennium transport aircraft.
The studies will be focused on expanding the C-390’s capabilities to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions with a focus on maritime patrol capabilities, with this variant to be called the C-390 IVR. A CGI released by Embraer showed this variant carrying what appear to be anti-ship missiles.
“Thanks to its versatility, ruggedness, state-of-the-art communication, and self-protection systems, the aircraft has a great potential to meet and even exceed the operational requirements of not only the Brazilian Air Force, but also customers worldwide,” Embraer stated in a 3 December press release.
Primarily a transport platform, the C-390 can already conduct a wide variety of missions. For example, the aircraft can be configured with air-to-air refuelling equipment, in which case it is designated as a KC-390, and can both dispense fuel and receive it from another KC-390, extending its range. The aircraft can also operate from unpaved runways.
“The studies to adapt the C-390 Millennium aircraft to ISR missions have evolved in a structured way, analysing the aircraft’s capability to evolve in order to meet the current and future needs of the Brazilian Air Force, especially in relation to maritime patrol,” stated Lieutenant-Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, Commander of the FAB.
“We are honoured to move forward with the FAB on studies to expand the operational capabilities of the C-390 Millennium,” added Bosco da Costa Junior, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “It reinforces our commitment to always offer our customers an aircraft capable of carrying out their most challenging missions with unparalleled efficiency. This is another important step in the long-term relationship built with the FAB.”
The C-390 can carry more payload (26 tonnes concentrated) compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft and flies faster (870 km/h). By comparison, a Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules has a maximum payload of 21.7 tonnes and a maximum cruising speed of 657 km/h.
While the C-390 can achieve an unrefuelled range of 2,000 km with a 26-tonne payload, the C-130J-30 can reach 4,425 km with a 20-tonne payload.
Beyond the FAB’s order for 19 C-390 Millenniums, seven of which have already been delivered, the aircraft has been selected by Hungary, Austria, South Korea, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Portugal and Sweden.
According to Embraer, the current fleet of C-390s in operation worldwide has accumulated more than 15,000 flight hours, with a mission capability rate of 93% and mission completion rates exceeding 99%.
