Embraer C-390 Millennium (ex-KC-390)

[Triton]

Artist's impression of Embraer design concept circa 2007 then designated C-390.

Another artist's impression of C-390 2007 design configuration.


Sources:
http://desastresaereosnews.blogspot.com/2009/08/embraer-kc-390-o-cargueiro-militar.html
http://www.defesabr.com/fab/fab_embraer_projetos.htm

 

[Triton]

Interior drawing of Embraer C-390 circa 2007.

Source: http://www.network54.com/Forum/211833/thread/1255518261/last-1256039762/ADA%27s+possible+KC-390+buy

 

[Petrus]

You may download a brochure on the project here:

http://www.embraerdefensesystems.com.br/portugues/content/download/speccards.asp

Piotr

 

[Triton]

Artist's impressions of Embraer C-390 design concept.

Sources: http://piratininga.wordpress.com/2008/06/09/algumas-imagens-do-futuro-c-390-e-do-190-do-gte/

 

[HeavyG]

Last year, the KC-390 changed from a conventional tail formation to a T-tail formation. Most of the pictures posted so far are from a couple of years ago when Embraer first revealed the KC-390 concept.

 

[Matej]

One can find a dozens of high-res artists impressions of the KC-390 digging through this web: http://www.aereo.jor.br/

 

[Triton]

Embraer's original concept in 2007 was to develop a “quick and simple” derivative of the Embraer 190 large regional jet with a high wing as a military transport. Initially designated the C-390, it was expected to cost $600 million to develop, with $400 million to be provided by the government and $200 million by Embraer and risk-sharing partners. This is the design I was documenting in this topic.

The KC-390 unveiled in 2009 is an all-new design according to Embraer. Embraer has launched the KC-390 military tanker/transport with a seven-year, $1.3 billion development contract from the Brazilian air force (FAB). The all-new aircraft is scheduled to fly in 2012 and enter service in 2015.

If Embraer comes up with another design, or if the prototype or built configuration does not match the T-tail design concepts we have seen, they should be added to this topic.

Source: Warwick, Graham. "Embraer Launches KC-390 Tanker/Transport" at Aviaton Week
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=aerospacedaily&id=news/KC390041509.xml

 

[silkmonkey]

Anybody know if Embraer is planning a AEW&C, Martitime Patrol or even possible may I dare say a Gunship variant of this aircraft? or can this aircraft even be modified for those purposes. please any and all feed back would be welcomed. And will it be a serious threat to the C-130J transport aircraft? And Why would France even be considering looking at this aircraft after it has so much invested in the A-400M "Grizzly".

 

[Retrofit]

And Why would France even be considering looking at this aircraft after it has so much invested in the A-400M "Grizzly".

AFAIK French involvement is linked to the eventual sale of the Dassault "Rafale" to the Brazilian AF.

 

[Matej]

Anybody know if Embraer is planning a AEW&C, Martitime Patrol or even possible may I dare say a Gunship variant of this aircraft? or can this aircraft even be modified for those purposes. please any and all feed back would be welcomed.

Every producer has the tendency to make as much versions as possible to attract the customer. But the product itself is not ready nor matured yet, so it is a bit premature question now. It can be modified for almost every task, presuming that somebody is going to pay a bill.

And will it be a serious threat to the C-130J transport aircraft?

Not likely. Purchase of the military aircraft is always politics vs. performance matter, mostly in the favor of the first. Brazil hardly has the same lobby as the US has, no matter how good the KC-390 will be.

And Why would France even be considering looking at this aircraft after it has so much invested in the A-400M "Grizzly".

Rafale as the return plus they are not the same category. The same question should be why the US is buying the C-17, C-130 and C-27J in the same time...

 

[Triton]

Comparisons between the Embraer KC-390 concept shown at the Paris International Airshow 2009 and the Farnborough International Airshow 2010.

Source: http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2010/08/spot-the-kc-390-design-changes.html

 

[Triton]

Embraer KC-390 concepts circa 2009.

Sources:
http://pbrasil.wordpress.com/2009/09/07/
http://www.centrohistoricoembraer.com.br/en/historia-aeronaves/kc390.htm
http://forumdefesa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5208&start=30

 

[AeroFranz]

I was reading this post on Ares

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&newspaperUserId=27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3aa740522f-7aae-40d7-a7cd-a643073898a8&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest

about the inspection of the KC-390 mockup. The journalists saw what looked like a 'garage door-style' movable pressure bulkhead. I'm trying to figure out its purpose. One obvious reason would be to enable the depressurization of the aft compartment whilst keeping the front pressurized, but, operationally, why would that capability be worth the complication?
Also, do you know of other aircraft featuring internal movable pressure bulkheads?

 

[Nik]

I'd worry about the DC-10 effect, albeit in reverse...

 

[AeroFranz]

you mean sudden (and unintentional) depressurization? yeah, that probably wouldn't be good...

 

[GTX]

I'm trying to figure out its purpose.

Possibly to allow pressurised section to carry troops in a combi type arrangement (i.e. troops in pressurised part/equipment in pressurised)? Not sure if it is cost effective, though it would allow flight at higher altitude without the need for pressurising the entire fuselage, which might help with fuel burn. Just speculating.

Regards,

Greg

 

[AeroFranz]

I wonder what they'd do with the loadmaster. He'd probably have to stay in the unpressurized side of the fuselage. I think there are operations that cannot be performed sitting in front of monitors in the forward section.

 

[GTX]

That's assuming they have a loadmaster.

Regards,

Greg

 

[AeroFranz]

Are you talking about the cargo mission or some other mission?
I guess all is possible, but for now I'm assuming that the functions performed by the loadmaster during a cargo resupply mission, or worse yet in an airdrop mission, are just too complex, or require too much actual physical activity to be replaced. Contrast this with the functions of the flight engineer, whose job was mostly to just monitor parameters, and was more easily replaced by sensors and software.
I'm also guessing there are sets of missions where the loadmaster may not be necessary, and would be replaced by mission specialists (refueling drogue operator, sensor operators, etc.).

 

[RB586]

Rather than be a pressure bulkhead it could be a partition for fire protection purposes (i.e. to reduce the volume to insert halon into in the event of a fire).

 

[AeroFranz]

If it is, then they are paying a whole lot of weight penalty to carry it. I am still thinking that the more obvious reason is the right one. But the implementation of such a novel device must stem from some interesting CONOPS. I wonder what that is ???

 

[Triton]

Artist's impression of frozen design configuration of Embraer KC-390 circa 2011 and mockup.

Source:
http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&newspaperUserId=27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%253A27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%253Aa740522f-7aae-40d7-a7cd-a643073898a8&plc
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Embraer-Launches-KC-390-Tactical-Air-Transport-Program-05380/
http://www.mecanicodeaeronaves.com/noticias.html

 

[Triton]

Model of Embraer KC-390.

Source:
http://combatace.com/gallery/image/22460-embraer-kc-390-model/

 

[Triton]

http://youtu.be/9j6sY4QsHOQ

 

[Triton]

Artist's impression of Embraer KC-390.

Source:
http://www.aereo.jor.br/tag/forca-aerea-brasileira/

 

[Triton]

KC-390 airframe work-sharing.

KC-390 parts suppliers.

Source:
http://difusiontecnologiaavanzada.blogspot.com/2012/07/kc-390-tankertransport-embraer-big.html
http://www.latinaero.com/news/civilian/2012_06/nws_civ_120627-001.html

 

[Triton]

KC-390 wind tunnel model.

Source:
http://interdefensa.argentinaforo.net/t322p90-embraer-kc-390

 

[Triton]

This video clip from NLR and DNW shows the manufacturing and aerodynamic testing of the EMBRAER KC-390 CMS5 wind tunnel model. This model is an update of the EMBRAER KC-390 CMS4 model that was tested earlier. In the current test, the refueling system during flight is simulated as well as payload parachute testing. In addition, three dimensional velocity flow field investigations are performed with a Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurement technique.

http://youtu.be/m-YXCC_9hEg

 

[Triton]

Model of Embraer KC-390.

Source:
http://www.aereo.jor.br/2012/11/22/companhia-nacional-perde-espaco-no-kc-390/

 

[Triton]

Embraer KC-390 "Jupiter"?

Source:
http://www.aereo.jor.br/2011/05/07/a-repercussao-do-kc-390/

 

[Triton]

BAE Systems artist's impression of Embraer KC-390.

Source:
http://www.baesystems.com/image/BAES_027601/kc-390---image?_afrLoop=1388171423041000&_afrWindowMode=0&_afrWindowId=null&baeSessionId=QgHrQGqQj12HQhbTpdVvdsG3hsrRn0G2rjwbJYtM2tPTp21QWH2z!791695071

 

[Jemiba]

Embraer KC-390 "Jupiter"?

As official a name as "Grizzly" for the A400M !

 

[Stargazer]

Have any of the C-/KC-390 versions depicted above been ordered at all, or is it all mere wishful thinking?

 

[GTX]

I'm pretty sure it is still in development with absolutely no orders...including from Brazil.

 

[Jemiba]

That's what I've found, too. A lot of "letters of intent" (from Brazil, Peru and Colombia) and
interest to evaluate the aircraft (Portugal and Sweden), but no firm orders.

 

[Triton]

Artist's impressions of Embraer KC-390 and expected performance.

Source:
http://www.embraerdefensesystems.com/english/content/cargo/performance.asp
http://www.embraerdefensesystems.com/english/content/cargo/overview.asp

 

[Triton]

Source:
http://www.defesaaereanaval.com.br/?p=33300

 

[Triton]

Published on May 21, 2013

The KC-390 is the largest airplane ever built by the Brazilian aeronautics industry and will set a new standard for medium-sized military transport aircraft in terms of performance and payload capacity. With its 23-ton capacity and a maximum cruising speed of 465 knots (860 km/h), the KC-390 will provide significant mobility gains for its operators and considerably reduce mission time.

http://youtu.be/N6OZTF-Q8Fo

 

[flying-finn]

...
Also, do you know of other aircraft featuring internal movable pressure bulkheads?

It's a simple question with a simply answer: Il-76, An-70, An-178

 

[AeroFranz]

so the tail cone is not pressurized, the seal being formed by this movable bulkhead?