Page 32 - Australian Defence Magazine Feb-Mar 2023

32 DEFENCE BUSINESS C-390 MILLENNIUM
FEBRUARY-MARCH 2023 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
avionics systems includes the Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion system (similar to the Boeing 787), tactical radar and the flight deck is fully Night Vision Goggle (NVG) compatible.
Standard crew is three – two pilots and a loadmaster – but a third flight deck station can be installed in a few hours to cater for the air-to-air refuelling role. The C-390 can fulfill both tanker (with two underwing Cobham 912E pods) and receiver roles, with a probe mounted above the flight deck.
Embraer’s brochure figures suggest the aircraft can carry a maximum concentrated payload of 26 tonnes (57,320 lbs) with a distributed payload limit of 23 tonnes (50,700 lbs), including seven 463L pallets; or six pallets and 36 troops; or 80 troops/64 paratroops. Cargo bay height is 3.2 metres (10
ABOVE: The C-390’s two IAE V2500 turbofans give it a maximum speed of 0.8 Mach
been selected by the Netherlands (five aircraft required).
In terms of market outlook, Embraer sees a global fleet of 1,500 medium airlifters operated by air forces around the world, with an average age of 31 years, that will need
replacing in the future.
MILLENNIUM VS HERCULES
A comprehensive look at the C-130J-30, including enhance- ments proposed by Lockheed Martin appears on page 86 of this issue and the A400M and C-2 will be considered in future issues, but to find out more about the C-390, ADM spoke with Caetano Spuldaro Neto, Vice President Sales and Business Development of Middle East and Asia for Embraer.
Caetano said the brief Embraer received from the Brazil- ian Air Force required a sustainable export market, one which has been dominated by the C-130 since the late 1950s. “There are multiple operators who Embraer believes will at some point look to a realistic and viable alternative. Moreover, Embraer believes that those operators will look favourably upon an aircraft that exceeds the performance of other options with significantly reduced costs,” he said.
“Key strengths of the C-390 are its robust design, dual certification approach (civil and military), greater flexibility, proven state-of-the-art technology and ease of maintenance. The C-390 Millennium flies faster (470kts) and further on a standard crew duty day. It also carries more cargo (26 tons) compared to other medium sized military cargo aircraft.
“Embraer also believes that air forces already recognise a shift in culture regarding availability and reduced operat- ing and life-cycle costs. Embraer’s commercial and execu- tive aircraft expertise therefore fed directly into the design of the C-390. Air Force commanders demand high avail- ability to maintain the pace of combat, and that’s what the C-390 is delivering today.”
Caetano also pointed to the C-390’s reliability, which was
NIGEL PITTAWAY
“THE C-390 HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AS A DIRECT REPLACEMENT FOR THE HERCULES”
ft 6in) aft of the wing, reducing to2.95m(9ft8in)atthecentre section, and is 12. 7m (47 ft 8 in) long – 18.5 m (60 ft 8 in) includ- ingtheramp–and3.45m(11ft 4 in) wide. Embraer has demon- strated the ability to load military vehicles such as M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier and it says loads such as Army’s Boxer 8x8 (without
turret), two 20ft (6.1m) ISO containers, or one S-70 Black Hawk (disassembled for transportation) can also be carried. With a 23-tonne payload, the brochure figures claim a range of 1,520 nautical miles (2,815 kilometres) and an emp- ty ferry range of 3,310 nm (6,130 km). In a regional context, Embraer says the C-390 can carry 22.9 tonnes from Bris- bane to Nadi (1,464nm); 18.1 tonnes from Brisbane to Apia (2,113nm); 25.3 tonnes from Brisbane to Honiara (1,147nm),
or 26 tonnes from Brisbane to Port Vila (1.023nm).
The initial flight occurred in 2015 and the first aircraft was delivered to the Brazilian Air Force in 2019. Sales to date include 19 aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force (reduced from the original requirement for 28 due to budget constraints), Portugal (five), Hungary (two) and as noted earlier it has