The Portuguese Air Force plans to join Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force in collaborative studies to equip the KC-390 Millennium airlift with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force signed an agreement for the studies in December 2024, with a particular focus on maritime patrol.
The latest announcement was made at the Latin America Aerospace and Defence exhibition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
A concept image of an in-development modular ISR roll-on/roll-off mission system for the aircraft was displayed during the event.
The system will not affect the aircraft’s existing multi-mission capabilities.
“The collaborative work with Embraer is evolving efficiently and in a structured manner, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of the KC-390 Millennium for the current and future needs of the Brazilian Air Force,” Brazilian Air Force Commander Lieutenant Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno said.
“We see a great potential of the aircraft for ISR and maritime patrol missions. The Brazilian Air Force welcomes the Portuguese Air Force in joining this study, bringing their knowledge and experience to enhance the potential solution.”
KC-390 Millennium
The multi-mission aircraft can perform a range of tasks, including cargo handling, air refueling, airdrop, search and rescue, aeromedical evacuation, and aerial firefighting.
It can be reconfigured for any mission within three hours.
For enhanced survivability, the aircraft can be equipped with a self-protection suite, radar warning receiver, laser warning system, missile approach warning system, chaff and flare countermeasures, directional infrared countermeasures, an electro-optical/infrared pod, and ballistic protection.
It can fly at a speed of Mach 0.8 (988 kilometers/614 miles per hour) and at an altitude of up to 36,000 feet (10,973 meters).
The KC-390 features robust engines, specialized landing gear, and a maximum payload capacity of 26 tons.
In addition to being operational with the Portuguese, Brazilian, and Hungarian air forces, the aircraft has been selected by 10 other air forces worldwide.
