[Avionics Today 12-22-2014] Embraer has scheduled the first flight of its next generation aerial refueling tanker, the KC-390, for early January. Last week the Brazilian airframe manufacturer issued a statement giving an update on the ongoing development of the KC-390.
"Embraer informs that all preparatory procedures for the realization of first flight of the KC-390 are progressing according to plan. The current expectation for the conclusion of these procedures indicates that this flight should occur in the first weeks of 2015," Embraer said in the statement.
Deliveries of the KC-390 to the Brazilian Air Force are scheduled to begin in 2016. Brazil has committed to purchasing 28 aircraft, while another five nations have committed to purchasing a combined total of 32 additional KC-390s.