Either they ran out of bolts, or its to get an extra 5kts out of it :)

Yes, you either have the probe/drogue or boom/receptacle system, 'our' (RAF/RN) F-35B's will have the probe/drogue system, as will all other F-35B and C's...

-RP

Just as stealthy as using the boom/receptacle method, I suspect... :8

-RP

When it's in, it's stealthy, when it's out - the tanker RCS makes it irrelevant - might be if the UCAS CBARS gets the go ahead.....

That was the exact (badly made, admittedly) point I was hoping to get across, ORAC! ;)

-RP

Embraer Readies Second KC-390 For Test Effort

http://aviationweek.com/site-files/a...AirForce_0.jpg

In company with the Brazilian air force Super Tucano display team, Embraer’s KC-390 prototype overflew the rollout celebration for the company’s E190-E2 airliner on Feb 25. Credit: Sgt. Barros Johnson, Brazil Air Force

Testing of Embraer’s KC-390 tanker-transport is poised to accelerate to new levels with the introduction of a 7second aircraft and the start of a broad series of mission evaluations designed to finalize the aircraft’s aerodynamic lines.
Despite a 265-day hiatus in flight tests (related to Brazil’s budget issues) following its first flight in February 2015, the prototype has been flying at a high tempo since returning to the air last Oct. 26. “We are getting good reliability in the flight-test campaign. In January we flew more than 50 hr. in one month,” says Alexandre De Pol Fernandes, KC-390 senior program manager. “We have more than 130 flight hours amassed over the first four months. In terms of the aircraft’s high availability we are logging an unprecedented flight rate for a prototype,” he adds.



https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1564/2...22286397_h.jpg

Since completing an initial airworthiness evaluation on the first sortie last year, Embraer launched immediately into envelope expansion when flights resumed. “We have achieved Mach 0.8, which is a very important milestone for us, and it is cleared to 36,000 ft. We are also evaluating all the aircraft systems, and have done inflight engine start and auxiliary power unit starts. We have also completed flap/slat configuration tests,” says Fernandes.
The latter tests are critical to the KC-390’s slow speed performance for both short-field capability and air-drop missions, adds Fernando Fialho, KC-390 program strategy manager. “This is very different from most other aircraft. We have a continuous double-flap segment with a fixed vane and can put flaps in discrete one-by-one degree positions.”
The flaps can be positioned from 0-40 deg., “which enables a wide variety of military operations such as gravity air drop, in which you need to put the aircraft in a nose-up attitude,” says Fialho. “We need to fly at fixed speed and altitude but at various weights. If you are heavier you need more flap. The ability to have such a large flap deflection also improves takeoff performance,” he adds.



Embraer Readies Second KC-390 For Test Effort | Tanker | Defense content from Aviation Week

I have to say it looks rather good..................

Well the Republic F-105 Thunderchief had both>>>
At the time of the design of the F-105, TAC was equipped with hose-and-drogue tankers such as converted KB-50s, whereas boom tankers such as KC-97s and KC-135s had been assigned to SAC. In order that it be capable of being refuelled in midair by the KB-50 fleet, the F-105 was fitted with a retractable midair refuelling probe which swung outward from a slot in the forward fuselage just ahead of the cockpit. Unfortunately, the retirement of the KB-50 tankers left TAC dependent on SAC's boom tankers. Although a hose extension could be attached to the end of the flying boom of the KC-135 so that it could handle probe-and-drogue receiving aircraft, it was thought that it would be beneficial for TAC to have aircraft that were fully compatible with SAC booms.

I'm rather hoping that the airdrop/para drop/air-to-air refuelling capabilities of the KC-390 exceed those of the A400M.

I think that from some angles it looks like a tadpole...

KC-390 Flight Campaign Status

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INafDGrtNWs


At the end of the morning of Monday, March 14, 2016, Embraer announced on his Facebook page photo with the second prototype of its military jet transport KC-390, stating that the aircraft was recently completed.
The second prototype is the example seen to the right, adding that the plane is undergoing ground tests and will join the flight test campaign in the coming weeks.
http://i2.wp.com/www.aereo.jor.br/wp...aer.jpg?w=2048

And there was me just scrolling past the inflight picture thinking to myself "if it looks right....." On that basis I think the Brazilians may have cracked it, I hope so.

whereas the F-35.........

In the air-to-air refueling department, the KC-390 is very likely going to be better than the A400M. A400M's wake turbulence at helicopter speeds is excessive. That problem is reportedly being worked on, but France has already given up and committed to KC-130Js for their helo refueling needs.

As for airdrop and para drop, I'm pretty sure A400 is not yet cleared for either. I think those are part of the "tactical mission" upgrade that still lies in the A400's future. And those missions likely fall even farther in the future for the C-390. Time will tell.

An interesting article with background information on the development programme on Flight Global.

So ... the consensus seems to be that it looks a bit odd [as did many other new introductions, like the YC-130] but seems pretty convincing overall..

Question 1 ... assuming this turns out to be as good as it seems to date, what is Embraer's production capability? I know they're quite a big outfit, but could they cope with World-wide demand for this little rascal?

Question 2 ... tongue in cheek, I suppose it's too late to pull out of A300M and take this route instead? ;)

KC-390 - will be in Farnborough

The cargo aircraft multirole KC-390 will cross the Atlantic and take part in the Farnborough International Airshow.

http://i.imgur.com/Ztu9gvL.jpg

Nelson Düring
Chief Editor Defesanet

A news that is a real surprise was announced exclusively to Defesanet the CEO of Embraer Defense & Security Jackson Schneider at FIDAE 2016.

The multi-mission KC-390 tanker currently under development that reached more than 150 flight hours mark, will be on static display in the traditional Farnborough International Airshow, to be held in England in the period 11 to 17 July 2016.

This is a well calculated move by the EMBRAER marketing. Even with the budget constraints that affect the development schedule delaying it in 18 months for the final certification of the aircraft.

In the middle of last year the EMBRAER Defense & Security has taken the courageous decision to continue with the development program and the construction of the other prototypes, one more for flight tests and two for static testing, with its own resources.

Even after the Brazilian Air Force has managed to pay off overdue installments, another effect happened. Restated by the dollar appreciation led the debt be parked in the same amount that is R $ 1, 4 Billion.

The risk of crossing the Atlantic is minimized by the reliability and maturity that the complex KC-390 flight systems are achieving and demonstrating in more than 150 flight hours since the EMBRAER Defense & Security facility in Gavião Peixoto, Brazil.

Today are about 28 aircraft contracted for the FAB and 32 more for the countries participating in the development consortium (Argentina, Chile, Portugal, Czech Rep.).

The direction by CEO Jackson Schneider and Director of Freighter Program Multimission KC-390.mostram is confident and relaxed about the evolution and the schedule of the goals will be achieved.

the CAF are looking at this for the FWSAR platform..hope thy buy it..looks rather nice and very capable.:E

Like to know how much FOD those big turbofans can absorb..

The KC-390 has achieved a new milestone in the flight test campaign today with the in flight operation of the cargo door, rear ramp and paratrooper's door.



Prototype 002 flew with the 001.

https://cdn.defesaaereanaval.com.br/...5-1156x296.jpg

nice video but hellish sound-track.................

A lot of the publicity photos remind me of the style of the ones BAe put out surrounding the 146 STA.

Very likely not an issue. C-17 has much bigger turbofans and does not have FOD problems operating from unpaved/austere airfields. And C-17 has shown that a turbofan in a properly designed nacelle with properly designed thrust reversers is in many ways SUPERIOR to a turbo prop in many ways. What remains unclear is if the C-390 uses C-17 style nacelles and thrust reversers.

KC-390 confirmed for Farnborough debut
 

On Flight Global:-

Click the link for the full article.

Embraer KC-390 - Current stage of development.



This prototype is in Portugal today, and participates in Farnborough, England.

Boeing and Embraer to collaborate on KC-390 aircraft


Under a new agreement with Brazilian aerospace company Embraer, Boeing Defense, Space & Security's Global Services & Support division will have an opportunity to expand its work on non-Boeing aircraft.

The two companies have agreed to jointly market and support the KC-390, Embraer’s multimission mobility and aerial refueling aircraft, which is a new jet engine competitor in the traditionally turboprop-dominated medium airlift market.

Announced at the recent Farnborough International Airshow, the agreement positions Embraer as the aircraft provider, and Boeing will be responsible for in-service sustainment and training support. The two companies together will actively pursue opportunities to serve new customers around the globe.

The agreement expands an existing collaboration between the two companies. In 2012, Boeing and Embraer first announced their intention to jointly market the aircraft. The relationship has grown over time to better serve customer needs, according to program officials.

"This new teaming agreement underscores our commitment to branch out beyond the traditional OEM (original equipment manufacturer) role and into services for non-Boeing aircraft," said Ed Dolanski, president of Global Services & Support. "Our global reach allows us to quickly respond to customers’ needs while keeping costs low. We look forward to the benefits afforded by this expanded relationship, not only to us and Embraer, but also to our potential customers."

It was nice to see it @ Farnborough last month so here are my photos. I think it also went to Prague afterwards for a visit and sincerely hope we see it again at Farnborough or Paris next year,

cheers

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...psyxgfsi7w.jpg




http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...psqlz6megt.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...pshwj3doh7.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...ps6dzndnyp.jpg

Thanks for posting- looks like it would be a great fit for many users.


I see it as the ultimate VIP jet in a combi-set up. Fly into Monaco, Cannes, Dubai, Aspen...drive your Bentley down the back ramp as soon as the chocks are in place....

The more I see of it, the more I like it.

"If it looks right" is a long-standing totem. Good luck to both companies ... :ok:

I can see this hoovering up quite a few orders .............

KC-390 debut at the Farnborough Airshow 2016.

British think it looks ugly, Americans think it looks functional. It's a winner!

I too, think it looks 'a winner'; but that blade ae (00:17-19 in the video above) looks like an accident waiting to happen.....:\

Portugal envisages acquisition of KC-390 aircraft | IHS Jane's 360

The Portuguese Ministry of National Defence (MoND) currently considers the Embraer KC-390 multipurpose transport aircraft as an adequate solution to progressively replace the country's Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules aircraft, it told Jane's on 9 March.

No contract has yet been placed, but up to six aircraft are expected to be purchased. Portugal made an information request to Embraer last October and is currently analysing the information provided, the MoND told Jane's . The aircraft would conduct troop and cargo transport, firefighting, and air-to-air refuelling missions in the Portuguese Air Force service, the MoND said.

Several Portuguese companies, including OGMA-Indústria Aeronáutica de Portugal (partially owned by Embraer), Embraer Metálicas, Embraer Compósitos, and CEiiA, are involved with the KC-390 programme, which Jane's understands favours a potential buy of the type.

KC-390 Air to Air Refueling

Embraer completed the first in-flight refueling dry contact with its KC-390 military freighter and a receiving aircraft, an important milestone in the tests for the in-flight refueling system of the new airplane.

A Brazilian F-5M Tiger II aircraft was connected to two refueling hoses on a KC-390 prototype during a test exit near the Santa Cruz air base in Rio de Janeiro on February 19, Embraer announced in 20 Of February at the IDEX defense fair.

http://www.aereo.jor.br/wp-content/u...vo-com-F-5.jpg

Think this could aircraft could work very well for many countries that desire both the cargo and refueling capability- especially as it looks like the A-400 will never be the tactical refueler that it was promised to be.


Always nice to see the ex-Hindenburg hangar in Brazil- I had not idea it was even there until I stumbled across it on some website.

Interesting when you watch this ( In Portuguese) that they have it down with both a maritime and fire-bombing version.

Just been watching some of the previously posted vids, and there is a lot of space between the rear side doors and the back end of the aircraft that doesn't seem usable, especially the upward opening rear cargo hatch.

KC 390 | Water Spray Test

I have spent nearly 10 years in the Embraer 190. Definitely the nicest Jet I have flown. A true 4th Gen airliner that makes the a320/737ng offering look rather dated. This little airlifter uses the same fly by wire technology.
Politics and business pressures aside, they should sell hundreds.