SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil,
Feb. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Embraer
today successfully performed the first flight of the new military
transport and aerial refueling jet, the KC-390. Test pilots Mozart
Louzada and Marcos Salgado de Oliveira
Lima and flight test engineers Raphael Lima and Roberto
Becker flew the aircraft for 1 hour and 25 minutes,
conducting an evaluation of flying qualities and performance.
"This first flight is a fundamental step toward accomplishing
the task with which we were entrusted. The KC-390 is the result of
a close cooperation with the Brazilian Air Force and international
partners, representing what is most likely the greatest
technological challenge that the Company has ever encountered in
its history. We are profoundly moved for having achieved this key
milestone", said Frederico Fleury
Curado, President and CEO of Embraer.
"The program continues to move forward as planned and the KC-390
has drawn interest from several countries around the world", said
Jackson Schneider, President and CEO
of Embraer Defense & Security. "We are proud to once again keep
our commitments in the development of this aircraft, which will set
a new standard in the category of tactical military transport."
"The KC-390 will be the backbone of transport aviation for the
Brazilian Air Force. From the Amazon to Antarctica, the fleet of 28 aircraft will play
a key role in the diversity of projects of the Brazilian State,
from scientific research to the maintenance of sovereignty", said
Aeronautics Commander, Lieutenant-Brigadier General Nivaldo Luiz Rossato.
On its maiden flight, the KC-390 crew performed maneuvers to
evaluate its flight characteristics and conducted a variety of
systems tests, having benefited from an advanced campaign of
simulations and extensive ground tests. "The KC-390 behaved in a
docile and predictable manner," said Captain Louzada. "The advanced
fly-by-wire flight control system and the latest-generation
avionics make flying easy and render a smooth and precise
flight."
About the KC-390
The KC-390 is a joint project of the Brazilian Air Force and
Embraer to develop and produce a tactical military transport and
air-to-air refueling plane that represents a significant advance in
terms of technology and innovation for the Brazilian aeronautics
industry. This is an aircraft designed to set new standards in its
class, at a lower operational cost and with flexibility to perform
a wide range of missions: transport and airdropping of cargo and
troops, aerial refueling, search and rescue, and forest fire
response, among others.
On May 20, 2014, Embraer and the
Brazilian Air Force signed the serial production contract for the
delivery of 28 KC-390 aircraft and initial logistic support.
Besides the order from the Brazilian Air Force, there are current
purchase intentions from other countries, for a total of 32
additional aircraft.
Follow us on Twitter: @EmbraerSA
Note to Editors
Embraer S.A. (NYSE: ERJ; BM&FBOVESPA: EMBR3) is the world's
largest manufacturer of commercial jets up to 130 seats, and one of
Brazil's leading exporters.
Embraer's headquarters are located in Sao Jose dos Campos,
Sao Paulo, and it has offices,
industrial operations and customer service facilities in
Brazil, China, France, Portugal, Singapore, and the U.S. Founded in 1969, the
Company designs, develops, manufactures and sells aircraft and
systems for the commercial aviation, executive aviation, and
defense and security segments. It also provides after sales support
and services to customers worldwide. For more information, please
visit www.embraer.com.br.
This document may contain projections, statements and
estimates regarding circumstances or events yet to take place.
These projections and estimates are based largely on current
expectations, forecasts of future events and financial trends that
affect Embraer's businesses. Those estimates are subject to risks,
uncertainties and suppositions that relate to, among others:
general economic, political and trade conditions in Brazil and in those markets where Embraer does
business; expectations of industry trends; the Company's investment
plans; its capacity to develop and deliver products on the dates
previously agreed upon, and existing and future governmental
regulations. The words "believe", "may", "is able", "will be able",
"intend", "continue", "anticipate", "expect" and other similar
terms are intended to identify potentialities. Embraer does not
undertake to publish updates nor to revise any estimates due to new
information, future events or any other facts. In view of the
inherent risks and uncertainties, such estimates, events and
circumstances may not take place. The actual results may therefore
differ substantially from those previously published as Embraer
expectations.
CONTACTS:
Headquarters (Brazil)
Rosana Dias
rosana.dias@embraer.com.br
Cell: +55 12 9724 4929
Tel.: +55 12 3927 1311
Fax: +55 12 3927 2411
North America
Robert Stangarone
rstangarone@embraer.com
Cell: +1 954 260 9939
Tel.: +1 954 359 3101
Fax: +1 954 359 4755
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Herve Tilloy
herve.tilloy@embraer.fr
Cell: +33 6 0864 3545
Tel.: +33 1 4938 4530
Fax: +33 1 4938 4456
China
Mirage Zhong
mirage.zhong@bjs.embraer.com
Cell: +86 138 1191 8053
Tel.: +86 10 6598 9988
Fax: +86 10 6598 9986
Asia Pacific
Nilma Missir-Boissac
Nilma.boissac@sin.embraer.com
Cell: +65 9012 8428
Tel.: +65 6305 9955
Fax: +65 6734 3908
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/embraer-kc-390-military-transport-makes-successful-first-flight-300029965.html
SOURCE Embraer S.A.