Militaries worldwide are taking notice: the Embraer’s C-390 Millennium multi-mission transport aircraft is making its mark on the defense industry. It flies faster, farther and carries more payload than other aircraft in the medium transport category. In addition, a wide range of missions can be undertaken using the same platform. Being selected as the aircraft of choice with a growing number of militaries across the globe, the C-390 Millennium enables operators to respond and deploy with greater efficiency, serviceability and speed.
The C-390’s impressive operational record speaks for itself. Since its introduction, the global fleet has accumulated over 15,000 flight hours, a 93% mission capability rate and a mission completion rate in excess of 99% demonstrating exceptional productivity in the category. The C-390 has been acquired by the Netherlands, Austria, South Korea, Czech Republic, Hungary, Portugal and Brazil. In the latest development, Sweden has selected the C-390, making it the sixth European nation, and another NATO member country, to select the aircraft.
The C-390 Millenium in particular has garnered increasing global attention for its advanced capabilities and adaptability. The recent delivery of the first C-390 to the Hungarian Air Force was significant as it was the first of its kind featuring a roll-on/roll-off Intensive Care Unit. This added feature is expected to significantly bolster Hungary’s capacity to respond effectively to humanitarian missions and Medical Evacuation Missions. The cutting-edge aircraft is also designed for transporting and dropping cargo and troops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian missions, operating on temporary or unpaved runways.
The aircraft configured with air-to-air refueling equipment, with the designation KC-390, can operate both as a tanker and as a receiver – it can receive fuel from another KC-390 using pods installed under the wings. The KC-390 Millennium is capable of refueling both fixed and rotary wing aircraft, operating at speeds from 120 KCAS to 300 KCAS and at altitudes from 2,000 ft to 32,000 ft. In addition, the on-ground refuelling capability of the KC-390 Millennium enables it to refuel vehicles or forward operating bases.
This remarkable track record highlights the aircraft’s reliability and effectiveness in diverse operational theaters. The aircraft has proven its versatility in a range of missions as well, from delivering aid to flood-ravaged areas in Brazil to evacuating citizens from conflict zones across the globe. Equipped with the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS II), the C-390 has also been instrumental in combating recent wildfires in the region of Pantanal, Brazil, demonstrating its adaptability for diverse challenges. This is an aircraft that thrives on challenges and has demonstrated its interoperability in complex international exercises like Storm Flag. The C-390 isn’t just participating – it’s breaking new grounds.
Days after the first KC-390 was received by the Portuguese Air Force in October 2023, the aircraft flew to the United States to take a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to Europe. This mission, which covered almost 5,200km, was repeated a month later. Proving again the multi-mission transport aircraft’s versatility, the United States Army’s M142 HIMARS rocket launcher was loaded onto the Portuguese Air Force’s KC-390 in a testing activity that took place in July 2024. The operation was designed to reinforce NATO’s interoperability capabilities. This exercise is a crucial step in enhancing rapid deployment and mobility strategies within allied forces.
Embraer’s C-390 Millennium is enabling air forces to tackle the challenges of the 21st century. Its expanding global presence, combined with a proven track record of performance and adaptability in diverse operational environments solidifies Embraer’s position as a leading force in designing aircraft that meet the evolving demands of modern defense forces.
