Embraer C-390 Medium-Lift Transport (2016)
The Embraer C-390 transport intends to own the medium-lift market dominated by the aging Lockheed C-130 Hercules series since the 1960s.
The Embraer concern (once a state-run organization) was initially supported heavily by government contracts which help broaden its military procurement experience considerably. In the 1980s, the firm branched out to include a line of successful commercial airliners and these saw profitable sales overseas, helping to solidify the Embraer name on a global scale. Within time, many components were being produced locally which helped to keep dependence on foreign suppliers to a minimum and further strengthen the Embraer line. Embraer then became a private company through a 1994 sale which included ownership stakes to well-known firms such as EADS, Thales and Dassault Aviation. From that rebirth, the company has maintained a strong foothold in both local and foreign aviation markets to date.
As the C-390 design stands today, it will be a twin-engine, high-wing transport. Its configuration will follow a conventional arrangement as found the Lockheed C-130 and the up-and-coming Airbus A400M "Grizzly" (among others) though its intended powerplant of 2 x IAE V2500-E5 turbofan jet engines will make it a more powerful hauling platform. Each engine is rated at up to 29,000lbs of thrust which will provide a maximum speed of 850kmh with a service ceiling of 36,000 feet. Range is set to reach out to 3,250 nautical miles - roughly the southern tip of Argentina to the southern edge of Canada (ferry range). Its transport functionality dictates two design qualities - high-mounted engines to clear ground activity and a rear-mounted cargo bay with raised empennage giving unfettered access to the cargo hold. The cargo compartment will measure at 17.75 meters long with a 3.45 meter width and 2.9 meter height, allowing it to move an expected 84 medical litters (complete with staff), 84 passengers (with special seating installed), 64 paratroopers (with full mission gear in tow) and military vehicles such as HMMWV ("Humvees"). At least 2 such vehicles would fit in provided hold. The internal arrangement will be modular so as to carry tons of cargo pallets in place of human occupants. Minimum crew for the aircraft is expected to be two pilots and at least one flight engineer. The cockpit will be set well-ahead in the fuselage with good views over the nose and to each engine nacelle (the nose assembly purposefully designed as short and sloped downwards). Wings will be noticeably swept back while the tail unit will comprise a conventional "T" arrangement with high-mounted horizontal planes. The cockpit will sport a dual-HUD configuration with dual-control systems for both pilots. A real-time digital mission system will be integrated into the C-390's function as will GPS navigation. Flight controls will be assisted by a digital fly-by-wire system.
In April of 2009, Embraer was given $1.5 billion dollars to construct two working prototypes to which the first is scheduled for completeness in 2014. The Brazilian Air Force will most likely become the first customer of note with its initial order of 28 aircraft announced in July of 2010. In June of 2012, it was further announced that Boeing had teamed with Embraer to assist in further development of the aircraft which signifies a possible partnership in the selling of the C-390. At any rate, the partnership certainly broadens the marketing appeal of the aircraft to a high degree and will speed up overall development through Boeing expertise. In turn, Boeing will strengthen its reach in the growing Brazilian/South American market (having opened a local office in Sao Paulo in 2011) and has an obvious desire to sell its F/A-18 Hornets to the Brazilian Air Force to fulfill its "F-2X" fighter competition requirements for a modern fighter. Beyond the obvious American involvement, the C-390 will incorporate components through a plethora of outside vendors originating from Argentina, Czech Republic, France and Israel. Other key American contributors listed include L-3 and Rockwell Collins.
For interested military parties, the C-390 will serve as a primary medium-size hauler though it will also be available in an in-flight refueling tanker variant. Additionally, the C-390 design will incorporate features that will allow itself to be refueled in mid-air, making its operational endurance impressive. The C-390 is intended to go beyond use as a military transport as plans have been laid for a civilian-minded cargo hauler. The hauler will be a "stretched" fuselage version of the military form with a side-mounted loading door.
To date, possible names mentioned in the procurement of the new aircraft have included Argentina, Brazil, Chile, France, Portugal and Sweden. France has made it clear that it will purchase the C-390 in number if their Dassault Rafale fighter is selected for the aforementioned F-2X fighter competition. The US government, however, has already cleared technical assistance for Brazil which undoubtedly gives Boeing an edge. As such, politics certainly plays a role in such matters. If the program comes to fruition, it will certainly threaten the C-130's hold on the global stage. However, it will face stiff competition from upcoming designs such as the Airbus A400M "Grizzly", which - despite its setbacks - remains in advanced development as of this writing (2012).
A total of 120 C-390s are on order for the Brazilian military while 36 of these will be involved in an initial production batch (information as of 2012). Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Embraer C-390
Medium-Lift Transport
Country of Origin: Brazil
Manufacturer: Embraer Defense and Security - Brazil
Initial Year of Service: 2016
Production: 2
Focus Model: Embraer C-390
Crew: 3
Length: 111.25ft (33.91m)
Width: 115.03ft (35.06m)
Height: 33.66ft (10.26m)
Weight (Empty): 0lbs (0kg)
Weight (MTOW): 178,574lbs (81,000kg)
Powerplant: 2 x IAE V2500-E5 turbofan engines developing 29,000lbs of thrust each.
Maximum Speed: 528mph (850kmh; 459kts)
Maximum Range: 2,983miles (4,800km)
Service Ceiling: 36,089ft (11,000m; 6.8miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 0 feet per minute (0m/min)
Hardpoints: 0
Armament Suite:
None. Hold reserved for cargo - 64 paratroopers, 84 passengers or medical litters, cargo pallets or 2-3 HMMWV-type vehicles.
Variants:
C-390 - Base Cargo Series Designation
KC-390 - Proposed in-flight refueling tanker variant.
Operators: Argentina (possible); Brazil (likely); Chile (possible); France (possible); Portugal (possible); Sweden (possible)
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