The first flight of the second transport plane Embraer C-390 Millennium commissioned by Portugal took place in Gavião Peixoto on June 7. As part of the tests of this aircraft, Infodefensa.com has had the opportunity to visit the C-390 production line in Gavião Peixoto.
Across three huge hangars, one also houses the assembly/modernization line of the EMB-314 Super Tucanothe line breathes work and impresses with its high technology.
The third Portuguese plane appears in the foreground, still without its wings. In front of him, a Hungarian plane in the final stages of assembly. Photo: EDS
In the wing production hangar, which is assembled on two huge, complex rotating jigs, two robots do 60% of the drilling, taking precision measurements and applying sealant. The two halves of each wing, once joined, form a complete assembly, with leading edge, trailing edge and structural box, as well as the control surfaces and their actuators.
Part of each wing structure functions as a large fuel tank, which is pressure tested during the assembly phase. Alignment of parts is checked by laser, ensuring 100% manufacturing quality.
While the wings are manufactured, the fuselage is manufactured in the adjacent hangar, which includes parts produced by associated suppliers (Argentina, Portugal, Czech Republic) and sent to Gavião Peixoto.
The seventh KC-390 aircraft of the Brazilian Air Force, FAB 2859, in final assembly at the Gavião Peixoto plant. Company: EDS
Divided into front, center (wing structural mounting box) and rear, the sections are produced and then joined together in a process that moves these assemblies along the production line and keeps everything aligned and centered with the use of laser systems. high precision.
Eight other high-tech robots are used to manufacture the fuselage of each C-390, drilling, measuring and applying sealant, among other complex tasks.
As work progresses, the new aircraft receives its floor, its docking and cargo handling systems, the hydraulic ramp, the internal electrical and hydraulic systems, kilometers of cables, tubes and conduits, the sponsons (fairings) and so on. taking shape another Millennium.
Once the main assembly of the fuselage is completed, the cigar is moved to the third hangar, where the magic of joining it with the pair of wings that were being manufactured in parallel takes place, and they are joined together to form a single piece.
FAB 2854, the second KC-390 delivered (2019), on the Gavião Peixoto production line.
Once this is done, the aircraft is ready to receive its engines and pylons, the functional landing gear, the various sensors and antennas, the avionics and other cockpit/charging station equipment, the hardware and software of its electronic systems.
It is then that the Millennium will be energized for the first time, thus beginning a battery of ground tests until it is released for its first functional flight, which inaugurates the campaign prior to delivery to the customer.
Production capacity
The operation of Embraer Defense and Security to manufacture the C-390 Millennium in Gavião Peixoto currently produces and delivers six aircraft per year, but the existing facilities support a maximum production cycle of up to 18 per year.
The Brazilian aeronautical manufacturer hopes to reach the capacity of delivering one aircraft per month in 2030.
During the visit to the hangars, Infodefensa was able to see the different manufacturing phases of the C-390 Millennium for Hungary, with the first example almost ready and the final assembly of the second aircraft underway.
The second and third were also seen C-390 for Portugal, with the 26902 flying two days after Infodefensa’s visit.
Signature: EDS
The 7th and 8th aircraft of the 19-unit order placed by the Brazilian Air Force They are also in the final assembly phase.
On the roof of the final assembly hangar of the C-390 Millennium, Along with the flags of all the countries mentioned, there is that of South Korea, whose contract was recently signed.
The market wants the C-390 Millennium
In total, the Embraer C-390 Millennium It is already a reality for seven countries. Two of them already operate the plane, Brazil and Portugal. Hungary will receive its first aircraft in 2024. The Netherlands, Austria and the Czech Republic should receive their first aircraft from 2026. Not counting the South Korean aircraft, There are 37 orders.
Signature: EDS
An auspicious start for an aircraft with the potential to sell up to 490 units in the next 20 yearsespecially in the markets of Middle East/Persian Gulf and Pacific Asiaworth about 60 billion dollars.
With a base price of $115 million, the C-390 Millennium is positioned in the most lucrative range of the multifunctional military transport aircraft market, carrying up to 26 tons to hard-to-reach places with an estimated cruising speed of 470 KTs.
According to data provided by Embraer, 90% of market opportunities have this profile worldwide.
Signature: EDS
