The Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira or FAB) took delivery, on Saturday June 27, the third KC-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft. The aircraft, registered FAB 2855, landed at 4:35 pm at Wing 2 (Ala 2) – Anápolis Air Base (GO). The reception marked the completion of the first transfer of a KC-390 by a crew exclusively composed of members of the First Troop Transport Group (1º Grupo de Transporte de Tropas), with the Preparation Command (COMPREP) responsible for developing the doctrine used in the operational preparation of the crew. The aircraft was delivered with the traditional christening. The receipt of the third KC-390 aircraft is a reason of great satisfaction for the Air Force Command, as it will be added to the missions for which the other two aircraft are already being used.
The Embraer C-390 Millennium is a medium-size, twin-engine jet-powered military transport aircraft in production by Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer, able to perform aerial refuelling and to transport cargo and troops. It is the heaviest aircraft the company has made to date, and will be able to transport up to 26 tonnes (29 tons) of cargo, including wheeled armoured fighting vehicles. The first production aircraft was delivered on 4 September 2019. The first KC-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft, registered FAB 2853, was received by the FAB on September 4, 2019. On 18 November 2019, during the Dubai Airshow, Embraer and Boeing announced the new name of the aircraft, targeting the global market, C-390 Millennium. The second unit of the KC-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft was received by the Brazilian Air Force on December 13 last year.
Embraer built the C-390 around the 18.5 m (61 ft) long, 3.45 m (11.3 ft) wide and 2.95 m (9 ft 8 in) high hold with a rear ramp. Its twin IAE V2500-E5 turbofans are mounted forward on the high wing with anhedral angle, slats and up to 40° flaps High-lift devices. The landing gear has low-pressure tires on either side bogies for soft, unpaved ground or damaged runways. Fly-by-wire flight controls with active sidesticks allows load factors up to 3g. The cockpit has head-up displays for the enhanced vision system with four cameras and Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion commercial avionics. The aircraft can carry 26 t (57,000 lb): two M113 armored personnel carriers, one Boxer or Brazilian VBTP-MR Guarani wheeled armored vehicle, a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter, 74 litters with life-support equipment, up to 80 soldiers or 66 paratroopers with full gear, and loads of up to 42,000 lb (19 t) can be air dropped.
