The Brazilian Air Force’s First Troop Transport Group (1st GTT), known as Zeus Squadron, recently welcomed a significant addition to its fleet. On June 16, the 1st GTT took delivery of FAB 2858, the first KC-390 aircraft to achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC), marking a major milestone for the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). This development solidifies the 1st GTT’s pivotal role in executing strategic and operational missions. The FOC-certified KC-390 is the culmination of extensive development and improvement efforts spanning from 2012 to 2023. The certification process involved the collaboration of over 180 specialists, including pilots, engineers, and technicians from various organizations such as the Institute for Industrial Development and Coordination (IFI), the Department of Aerospace Science and Technology (DCTA), the General Support Command (COMGAP), the Preparation Command (COMPREP), and the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC).
The Commander of Anapolis air base, Colonel Aviator Renato Leal Leite said: “The certification of the FOC configuration by the Institute of Industrial Development and Coordination was one of the contractual steps that make up the contractual acceptance of the product by the Air Force Command (COMAER). The receipt of the first KC-390 Millennium aircraft, with FOC certification, will represent an important doctrinal and operational leap for the Brazilian Air Force, as it will further expand the possibilities of using this vector.”
According to the Commander of the 1st GTT, Lieutenant Colonel Aviator Bruno Américo Pereira said: “with the receipt of the FAB 2858, the Brazilian Air Force strengthens its strategic and operational capacity, ensuring an even greater readiness to face the challenges of the present and of the future. The work will now be intensified. It is necessary to establish and improve new tactics, techniques and operational procedures for the new Air Force Actions that will be incorporated, continuing the process of operational implementation of this important aerospace means in the FAB.”
The Embraer KC-390 Millennium is a medium-size, twin-engine, jet-powered military transport aircraft designed and produced by the Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer. The KC-390 Millennium aircraft, now certified with Full Operational Capability (FOC), represents the most advanced and comprehensive version to date, boasting a range of features and functionalities that greatly enhance its operational capabilities. The aircraft enables crucial missions such as In-Flight Refueling, even during nighttime operations, and in-flight Fire Fighting. Additionally, it incorporates advanced mission systems, including a suite of modern avionics, cutting-edge communication systems, and self-defense capabilities. These advancements ensure that the KC-390 can effectively operate in hostile environments, guaranteeing the safety of both the aircraft and its crew during these specific operational missions. he KC-390 Millennium is the heaviest aircraft the company has constructed to date.
