Embraer unveil their KC-390 military transport aircraft

With its 10 metre (32 ft.) height, 35 metre (115 ft.) wingspan and length, the first Embraer KC-390 prototype was introduced on 21^st October, at one of the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer’s production sites at Gavião Peixoto. This military transport aircraft with a refuelling option is a competitor of the Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules, which Embraer hopes to surpass in speed, altitude, payload, and especially price.

At a maximum of 11,000 metres (36,000 ft.) above sea level, and maximum cruise speed of 850 km/h (530 mph), the KC-390 can carry 24 metric tonnes (almost 26 ½ tons) of cargo - the equivalent of a helicopter - 64 paratroopers or 80 soldiers.

Although the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer’s defense division’s head, Jackson Schneider did not disclose the catalogue price of the KC-390, according to our information this should be around $ 50 million.

The first customer of this military aircraft is the Brazilian army who has ordered 28 units, first deliveries of which are expected in early 2016. Thus far, five countries, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Portugal and the Czech Republic, have ordered a total of 32 KC-390’s. Over the next 15 years, Embraer will be targetting a market of 700 aircraft.

The Brazilian aircraft manufacturer’s KC-390 programme director, Paulo Gastao, said that they are paying special attention to the civilian market for future developments of the KC-390, since this aircraft could well meet the needs of specialized civilian industries such as oil and mining companies.