Photo Gallery: Embraer KC-390 First Flight

The Brazilian air force aims to develop an interim operating capability with an initial set of up to five aircraft in early 2017.

At first these will be limited to carrying cargo and troops, but new capabilities will be added soon after, including aerial refueling.

This will involve both refueling of other aircraft as well as ‘buddy-buddy’ refueling of KC-390s from wing-tip hose-drogue units using the probe mounted above the cockpit, as pictured.

The test aircraft, registered PT-ZNF, has a tail-mounted camera and provision for a spin chute, mountings for both of which are seen painted orange. The aircraft also incorporates a static air data cone for initial flight-test data collection.

The KC-390 is the first dedicated military application for the IAE V2500-E5 engine, which is rated at 31,330 lb. thrust for the role. The engine was selected by Embraer in July 2011.

Two test aircraft will be involved in the two-year flight-test and certification program that will cover civilian FAR 25 clearance followed by military certification through the Brazilian military airworthiness agency, IFI.

Following completion of tests, the two prototype aircraft will be converted into standard KC-390s and added to the Brazilian air force fleet.