Embraer successfully concluded the Hungarian Critical Design Review (CDR) and began structural assembly of its first KC-390 Millennium. A ceremony held at Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto facility, attended by representatives of the Hungarian government and Embraer, marked the start of production of the first KC-390 Millennium for Hungary.
In the coming weeks, parts will be assembled to generate the structural panels and frames for the main fuselage and semi-wing components. Delivery of the first aircraft is scheduled for 2024.
In November 2020, the Hungarian government signed a contract with Embraer for the acquisition of two C-390 Millennium multi-mission transport aircraft, in its Air-to-Air Refueling (AAR) configuration, known as KC-390. The acquisition is part of the process of strengthening the capabilities of the Hungarian Defense Forces.
The KC-390 for the Hungarian Defense Forces will be the first in the world with the Intensive Care Unit in its initial configuration, an essential feature for performing humanitarian missions. The aircraft fully meets the requirements of the Hungarian Defense Forces, being able to perform different types of military and civilian missions under harsh conditions, such as medical evacuation, cargo and troop transport, precision cargo airdrop, paratrooper operations and AAR.
These KC-390s are fully NATO compliant, not only in terms of their hardware but also in their avionics and communications configuration. In addition, the KC-390’s probe-and-basket refueling system makes the aircraft capable of refueling the Hungarian Air Force (Magyar Légierő) JAS 39 Gripen, as well as other aircraft using the same technology.
The Brazilian Air Force’s (FAB) existing fleet of KC-390s currently numbers four units and these aircraft have exceeded 4,100 flight hours in operation, including extensive use to transport urgently needed medical equipment and supplies across the country to address the COVID-19 situation in Brazil.
