Embraer KC-390 Military Transport Makes Successful First Flight
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SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil — Embraer today successfully performed the first flight of the new military transport and aerial refueling jet, the KC-390. Test pilots Mozart Louzada and Marcos Salgado de Oliveira Lima and flight test engineers Raphael Lima and Roberto Becker flew the aircraft for 1 hour and 25 minutes, conducting an evaluation of flying qualities and performance.
"This first flight is a fundamental step toward accomplishing the task with which we were entrusted. The KC-390 is the result of a close cooperation with the Brazilian Air Force and international partners, representing what is most likely the greatest technological challenge that the Company has ever encountered in its history. We are profoundly moved for having achieved this key milestone", said Frederico Fleury Curado, President and CEO of Embraer.
"The program continues to move forward as planned and the KC-390 has drawn interest from several countries around the world", said Jackson Schneider, President and CEO of Embraer Defense Security. "We are proud to once again keep our commitments in the development of this aircraft, which will set a new standard in the category of tactical military transport."
"The KC-390 will be the backbone of transport aviation for the Brazilian Air Force. From the Amazon to Antarctica, the fleet of 28 aircraft will play a key role in the diversity of projects of the Brazilian State, from scientific research to the maintenance of sovereignty", said Aeronautics Commander, Lieutenant-Brigadier General Nivaldo Luiz Rossato.
On its maiden flight, the KC-390 crew performed maneuvers to evaluate its flight characteristics and conducted a variety of systems tests, having benefited from an advanced campaign of simulations and extensive ground tests. "The KC-390 behaved in a docile and predictable manner," said Captain Louzada. "The advanced fly-by-wire flight control system and the latest-generation avionics make flying easy and render a smooth and precise flight."
About the KC-390
The KC-390 is a joint project of the Brazilian Air Force and Embraer to develop and produce a tactical military transport and air-to-air refueling plane that represents a significant advance in terms of technology and innovation for the Brazilian aeronautics industry. This is an aircraft designed to set new standards in its class, at a lower operational cost and with flexibility to perform a wide range of missions: transport and airdropping of cargo and troops, aerial refueling, search and rescue, and forest fire response, among others.
On May 20, 2014, Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force signed the serial production contract for the delivery of 28 KC-390 aircraft and initial logistic support. Besides the order from the Brazilian Air Force, there are current purchase intentions from other countries, for a total of 32 additional aircraft.
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Embraer S.A. (NYSE: ERJ; BMFBOVESPA: EMBR3) is the world's largest manufacturer of commercial jets up to 130 seats, and one of Brazil's leading exporters. Embraer's headquarters are located in Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo, and it has offices, industrial operations and customer service facilities in Brazil, China, France, Portugal, Singapore, and the U.S. Founded in 1969, the Company designs, develops, manufactures and sells aircraft and systems for the commercial aviation, executive aviation, and defense and security segments. It also provides after sales support and services to customers worldwide. For more information, please visit www.embraer.com.br.
Contacts:
Headquarters (Brazil)
Rosana Dias
rosana.dias@embraer.com.br
Cell: +55 12 9724 4929
Tel.: +55 12 3927 1311
Fax: +55 12 3927 2411
North America
Robert Stangarone
rstangarone@embraer.com
Cell: +1 954 260 9939
Tel.: +1 954 359 3101
Fax: +1 954 359 4755
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Herve Tilloy
herve.tilloy@embraer.fr
Cell: +33 6 0864 3545
Tel.: +33 1 4938 4530
Fax: +33 1 4938 4456
China
Mirage Zhong
mirage.zhong@bjs.embraer.com
Cell: +86 138 1191 8053
Tel.: +86 10 6598 9988
Fax: +86 10 6598 9986
Asia Pacific
Nilma Missir-Boissac
Nilma.boissac@sin.embraer.com
Cell: +65 9012 8428
Tel.: +65 6305 9955
Fax: +65 6734 3908
Source
Embraer S.A.
Web Site: http://www.embraer.com.br
