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| The KC-390 airlift. Photo: Embraer |
[Avionics Today 10-27-2014] Embraer has rolled out the first prototype of the KC-390 military transport aircraft from the production hangar at the industrial plant of Gavião Peixoto, Brazil. The KC-390 is a joint project between the Brazilian Air Force and Embraer to develop and produce a tactical military transport and aerial refueling airplane for cargo and troop transport, aerial refueling, search and rescue, and combating forest fires, among other mission profiles.
This rollout will allow the company to perform ground tests prior to the aircraft’s first flight, planned to take place by the end of this year. Going forward, the aircraft will continue with initial systems evaluations leading to the first engine run, and then to the ground vibration tests and other planned ground tests. This aircraft is the first of two prototypes that will be used in the certification ground and flight testing campaigns.