Page 28 - MRO Business Today 15th April 2023 Latest Issue

DEFENCE

AFWERX. The program aims to address the need for
alternate approaches to costly adversary air sorties
at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s
Life Cycle Industry Days in August 2021. SBIR work
with Blue Force Technologies began in 2019 and
covered the initial requirements development,
vehicle design, analysis, and build of a structural
test article supporting unmanned ADAIR.
The Bandit program is being coordinated with
Air Combat Command and has aligned the vehicle
development effort in support of the unmanned
ADAIR capability. This contract marks a signifi-
cant milestone in the development of the Bandit
program, and the AFRL is optimistic about the
potential of the program to enhance adversary air
training missions and provide key opportunities
for pilots to interact with unmanned systems in a
training environment

Embraer and FAB secure Full Operational Capability for

the C-390 Millennium multi-mission defence jet

The Embraer C-390 Millennium for the FAB is a modern military tactical transport aircraft, capable of
carrying more payload (26 tons) than other medium-sized military cargo aircraft.

mbraer, the Brazilian aircraft lenging the thinking behind current and feelings of “brazilianness” and pride,
Emanufacturer, has achieved a major future generation platforms. Air forces which we now experience, will emerge
milestone with its C-390 Millennium around the world are focused on match- in each citizen, when contemplating
multi-mission aircraft program. The ing their ever-evolving operational the skies and verifying that the “wings
aircraft has been awarded the Full needs with their budgets, seeking a that protect and integrate the country”
Operational Capability (FOC) certificate, platform that can perform multiple mis- and Embraer are heading united in the
confirming that it meets all the require- sions, recognizing that today’s choice purpose of ensuring a solid future with
ments defined by the Brazilian Air Force will affect their operational capabilities the strategic stature of our beloved
(FAB) and can carry out all missions for tomorrow,” he further added. Brazil,” said Marcelo Kanitz Dama-
which it was designed. The C-390 Millennium has already sceno, Lieutenant-Brigadier, Brazil Air
The C-390 Millennium is a modern proven its capacity, reliability, and Force Commander.
military tactical transport aircraft, performance since entering operation Embraer has also begun the delivery
capable of carrying more payload (26 with the FAB in 2019. The current fleet process to the FAB of the sixth unit of
tons) than other medium-sized military of five aircraft, all in the aerial refueling the C-390, the first in the FOC configu-
cargo aircraft. It can also fly faster (470 version, designated KC-390, has already ration. The other aircraft already deliv-
knots) and farther, making it suitable accumulated more than 8,200 flight ered to the FAB will now be updated to
for a wide range of missions, including hours. Recent figures show an opera- have the certification. In addition, all
transporting and dropping cargo and tional availability of around 80%, with aircraft to be exported will also have
troops, medical evacuation, search and a mission completion rate above 99%, this certification.
rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian demonstrating exceptional productivity The C-390 Millennium has orders
missions. It can operate on temporary in the category. from Portugal and Hungary, both NATO
or unpaved runways, including packed “This is the KC-390, the aircraft that member countries. The Netherlands,
earth, soil, and gravel. embodies the true meaning of the also a member of NATO, selected the
“This certificate places the C-390 in word “perseverance”. Wherever it is, C-390 Millennium in 2022. Embraer’s
a select group of aircraft in the world,” there will be the Brazilian State; there C-390 Millennium multi-mission air-
says Bosco da Costa Junior, President will be the order and progress of a craft program is setting a new stan-
and CEO of Embraer Defense and Secu- nation that aligns itself with the idea dard for military airlift and refueling
rity. “It is a unique moment in Embraer’s that the full development of democ- capabilities and is a testament to the
history. The C-390 is redefining the racy cannot dispense with inviolable excellence of Brazilian engineering
military airlift and refueling space, chal- sovereignty. Finally, I wish that these and innovation

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