The first series production version of Embraer's KC-390 twin-engine military transport and tanker aircraft made a successful maiden flight on 9th October.
The first series production version of Embraer's KC-390 twin-engine military transport and tanker aircraft made a successful maiden flight on 9th October.
The aircraft will now start a flight test campaign, adding to the 1,900 flight hours which have already been logged by the first two prototypes. Civil certification of the basic aircraft will be granted by Brazilian aviation authority ANAC (Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil) and is expected to be achieved “very soon”.
The KC-390, which is being jointly marketed with Boeing, is designed to perform a variety of missions, such as cargo and troop transport, troop and cargo air delivery, aerial refueling, search and rescue and forest fire fighting.
The programme has been delayed from its original timetable following damage to one of the prototypes in a landing accident in May. First deliveries to the Brazilian Air Force were originally scheduled to take place this year.