Embraer’s multi-mission C-390 Millennium aircraft program marked a historic milestone in the aviation industry. In a ceremony held at the Gavião Peixoto Unit in São Paulo, and attended by the high command of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), the aircraft received its Final Type Certificate, reflecting its Full Operational Capability (FOC). Issued by the Institute of Industrial Development and Coordination (IFI in Portuguese), the Brazilian body responsible for certifying aircraft for military purposes which is linked to the Department of Aerospace Science and Technology (DCTA in Portuguese), the FOC certificate confirms that the project meets all the requirements defined by the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) and that the aircraft is capable of performing all the missions for which it was designed.
Developed under the strict FAB operating standards, the genesis of C-390 Millennium lies in the triple helix model, the culmination of the union of the greatest minds of academia, industry, and government. As a part of the development and certification process, over 3,500 hours were flown in the aircraft prototypes under several operating conditions, and a further 85,000 hours were spent in lab tests. The result, after years of development, tests, and certification, is a project that has been established in accordance with the highest industry standards.
C-390 Millennium is the new-generation military of tactical transport aircraft, and its multi-mission platform provides unmatched mobility, producing an unrivaled combination by allying high productivity and flexibility of operation with low operating costs. C-390 Millennium can transport more cargo (26 tons) compared to other medium-sized military cargo aircraft and flies quicker (470 knots) and for longer. It is capable of performing a wide range of missions such as cargo and troop transport and launch, aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian missions, operating on temporary or unpaved runways (i.e., compacted earth, soil, gravel, etc.). The refueling model of the aircraft is proven not only in aerial refueling, but also as an aircraft that can receive fuel from another KC-390 Millennium via Pods installed under the wings, being the only aircraft in the worldwide industry to perform such an operation.
Ever since FAB began employing the aircraft in its operations in 2019, C-390 Millennium has proven its effectiveness, reliability, and performance. The current fleet of five aircraft, entirely composed of KC-390 Millennium models, has already accumulated more than 8,000 flight hours and recent figures show an operational availability of around 80%, with a mission completion rate above 99%, demonstrating exceptional productivity in its class. C-390 Millennium has been commissioned by Portugal and Hungary, both NATO member states. The Netherlands, also a NATO member state, selected the C-390 Millennium for use in 2022.
#C390UnbeatableCombination
> Rapid reconfiguration and the latest technology
> Operational efficiency and low life-cycle costs
> Speed in the air and faster turnarounds
The most comprehensive flexibility
Paratroopers
Capacity for 64 paratroopers
Troops
Light and heavy vehicles
Capacity for 3 to 4 light vehicles or 1 to 2 heavy vehicles
Pallets
Helicopters
Medevac stretchers
Missions modules
One aircraft, many capabilities
Aerial
assault
Aerial
firefighting
Special
operations
Humanitarian
aid
Aerial
resupply
Search
and rescue
Medical
evacuation
Air-to-air
refueling
Highlights
Harsh
environment
The C-390 Millennium operates from the hot and humid Amazon forest down to the freezing cold Antarctic continent, as well as in hot and Sandy desert conditions.
Dual
certification
Combining the efforts of both civil and military airworthiness authorities.
Damage
tolerant design
Modern structural design. Strong and durable airframe.
