Photo courtesy of Embraer
Embraer has attained initial operational capability (IOC) with its KC-390. As part of the IOC, the manufacturer received a provisional type certificate from the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) for its KC-390.
“We are pleased to announce the achievement of this important milestone for the KC-390 Program,” said Jackson Schneider, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “The certification campaign has progressed as planned and the tests performed have been very successful, proving the maturity of the aircraft and confirming the performance and the anticipated capacities.”
Embraer is developing the KC-390 for the Brazilian Air Force. To date, the company said the test campaign has accumulated more than 1,500 flight hours with two prototypes and more than 40,000 hours of laboratory-based systems testing. The structural tests campaign is nearing completion, with only the full-scale fatigue test remaining, Embraer said.
The KC-390 program schedule has the aircraft receiving an ANAC type certificate next year. Additionally, Embraer said in-flight tests of various military functionalities would be completed, including the remaining aerial refueling and cargo dropping tests, to fulfill the requirements to receive the final military certification of the aircraft with the achievement of the final operational capability. Delivery of the first series aircraft to the air force is also scheduled for 2018.