Biggest Brazil-made military aircraft now in final testing stage

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) is conducting the final tests on KC-390, the largest military aircraft manufactured in Brazil. The plane is robust and resembles the classic C-130 Hercules—the US military aircraft for troop and cargo transport. The KC-390, however, was designed to meet demands much above Hercules’s.

Developed by Embraer’s defense and security unit, KC-390 may serve in a number of scenarios and unprepared airstrips. After the testing stage is over, it may be employed for cargo and troop missions, parachuting, in-flight refueling, support in humanitarian missions, as well as wildfire, rescue, and medical emergency operations. Its speed may reach 870 km/h.

The aircraft’s transport capacity and dimensions are impressive. KC-390 is 18.5 meters long, 3.45 meters wide and 2.95 high and can transport up to 23 tons. Its cargo may include armored items, weaponry, large-scale equipment, and even other planes.

KC-390 – Embraer / All rights reserved.

Great autonomy

The Brazilian aircraft can fly 5,958 km with no cargo, and 2,730 km with its maximum cargo—a remarkable achievement on search missions.

A total of 28 units of KC-390 have been reported ordered by the Brazilian Air Force. The two first ones should be delivered this year, and sent to an air base in Anápolis, Goiás state. First, however, units undergo inspection to make sure its equipment is fully operational. As a result of the multi-purpose nature of the plane, pilots from different specialties were chosen, like transport, fighter, and patrol.

“The idea is to be able to combine the knowledge of different areas of aviation with the aircraft’s doctrine so that it is prepared to execute whatever actions the Brazilian Air Force needs,” said Major Carlos Vagner Veiga, one of the pilots selected to operate KC-390.

*With information from the Brazilian Air Force