Embraer KC-390 takes maiden flight

[Lyneham Lad]

From Flight Global:-

The KC-390, Embraer’s clean-sheet aerial refueling tanker, flew for the first time on 3 February from an airfield in São José dos Campos, Brazil.

The KC-390’s 1h 25min flight consisted of manoeuvres to assess flight characteristics and system tests, including the aircraft’s fly-by-wire controls, Embraer says. "The KC -390 behaved in a docile and predictable manner," test pilot Mazort Louzada says in a statement. "The advanced system of fly- by-wire flight controls and the latest generation avionics facilitate piloting and provide smooth and accurate flight."

Embraer chief executive Frederico Fleury Curado says development of the KC-390 is “most likely the greatest technological challenge that the company has faced in its history”.

Later on in the article:-

First flight is an important milestone in the company’s flight test campaign, which must be completed in time to begin deliveries of the KC-390 to the Brazilian air force in 2016. The air force intends to buy 28 examples of the aircraft, which it collaborated with Embraer to develop. Another five nations have signed letters of intent to purchase a total 32 additional KC-390s.

I wonder how many they need to sell to stand a chance of breaking-even?

[MPN11]

Neat looking bit of kit for smaller Air Forces ... but not completely convinced that it would have the reach for the Big boys.

I await intelligent input from those who know these things.

[Sir George Cayley]

It doesn't at first glance look like a tanker, but maybe other roles are possible hence widening its operational capability.

Are those Barbie-Jet windshields?

SGC

[KenV]

Big boys?

Neat looking bit of kit for smaller Air Forces ... but not completely convinced that it would have the reach for the Big boys.

Which "Big boys"? Lots of Big Air Forces use the C-130 (including USAF and RAF) and the KC-390 has essentially the same payload and slightly greater range than a C-130. For those countries looking for a C-130 replacement or alternative, this could be just the ticket.

[KenV]

It doesn't at first glance look like a tanker, but maybe other roles are possible hence widening its operational capability.

Like the C-130 and A400M, the KC-390 is primarily a military transport that has a tanker capability. It is NOT a "tanker".

[GreenKnight121]

Note the hose-reel pods under the outer wings:

[Heathrow Harry]

I suspect they'll sell quite a few

[Skeleton]

Video of first flight.

[Davef68]

It's a bigger aircraft than it looks - those big cockpit windows make it look smaller

[Martin the Martian]

EMBRAER have sold a lot of RJs in recent years in the face of stiff competition and are doing well with the ERJ195 family against the mighty duopoly of Airbus and Boeing. I think this addition to the family is likely to go down very well, and I imagine it will be somewhat cheaper than a C-130J.

[LowObservable]

First flight is an important milestone in the company’s flight test campaign,

Wow!

Those are big windows. They make it look 146-sized when it is fully as big as a C-130. I think they'll do very well with it.

[Lyneham Lad]

Given its size, payload etc, how do those experienced in such things consider its likely performance vis-a-vie competitors? The impression one gets visually is that it looks underpowered. Presumably the performance envelope has been carefully defined and that there was nobody in the design office from the Belslow team

From Wikipedia:-

Payload: 23.6 tons (52,029 lb)
Length: 33.91 m (111.3 ft)
Wingspan: 35.06 m (115 ft)
Height: 10.26 m (33.8 ft)
Loaded weight: 74.0 tons (163,142 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 81.0 tons (178,574 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × IAE V2500-E5 turbofan, 31,330 pounds-force (139.4 kN)[92] () each
Fuel capacity: 37.4 tons (74,800 lb, 33,929 kg)[14]

[KenV]

Given its size, payload etc, how do those experienced in such things consider its likely performance vis-a-vie competitors?

Performance wise, it clearly beats up on the venerable Herc. If it sells for a price under the J model (which seems likely) and Embraer can provide good worldwide support (which seems likely seeing as they've partnered with Boeing to provide support) Lockheed is going to have its hands full selling Js to replace all the A thru H Hercs that are reaching the end of their useful lives. Looks to me like Embraer has a winner on its hands.

[Trumpet_trousers]

KenV;
How can they have a winner on their hands when it doesn't even have eyebrow windows?

[Tankertrashnav]

Neat looking bit of kit for smaller Air Forces

Personally I think it's bloody ugly, although looks are very subjective. But then, after the Victor K1 you get a bit spoiled in the looks department

[boxmover]

? Why the silver tape on all the panel gaps?

[The Helpful Stacker]

...How can they have a winner on their hands when it doesn't even have eyebrow windows?

As long as they don't have to bank the thing for manoeuvring they be all reet.

[KenV]

KenV;
How can they have a winner on their hands when it doesn't even have eyebrow windows?

Good question. Wish I had an answer. But interestingly, while this first aircraft does not include them, eyebrow windows are included in the majority of the drawings released by Embraer. Maybe this is a test aircraft and only production aircraft will include them. Who knows?

[tupungato]

The aircraft looks... small on photos. Maybe because it bears similarities to Dornier 328JET (photo below) which I'm familiar with?


(photo by Juergen Lehle - AlbSpotter Flugzeugbilder Aircraft Photos)

The Dornier is 21.3m long whereas the KC-390 is 33.9m, substantially longer.

[Heathrow Harry]

Ken

I don't think Embraer need to have Mr B hold their hands on world wide support - they already have facilities world wide for their commercial aircraft

Tho' I can see Mr B not being terribly upset that EMB might cut into Lockheed's order book