KC-390 Millennium: Operation In Cold Weather
The KC-390 Millennium in action on ice!
In 2025, the Swedish Air Force acquired four KC-390’s to modernize its transport wing, becoming the seventh NATO nation to have selected the Millennium. During the ongoing world demo tour the KC-390 demonstrator aircraft included a visit to the Vidsel Test Range in Sweden, where it flawlessly demonstrated short takeoff and landing operations under extreme cold weather conditions with 100% mission accomplishment.
Operations in cold weather, such as the Arctic and Antarctic regions, are more than just very low temperatures and icing climatic conditions; it is also about operations in reduced visibility; navigation at high latitudes; and operations on unpaved, short and narrow runways contaminated with snow and ice.
The KC-390 Millennium is fully certified to operate in Arctic conditions having completed rigorous cold soak tests in Alaska in temperatures down to -40º C/F; it is also fully compatible with the use of all required pre-flight deicing fluids. Inflight, the KC-390 Millennium has advanced anti-icing systems that enable safe operations in icing conditions.
In addition, the KC-390 Millennium has embedded new technologies to improve its operational capability in this environment. The full fly-by-wire system automatically adapts the flight controls whenever operating in icing condition, reducing the aircrew workload and enhancing safety. As the low visibility is common in Arctic and Antarctic operations, the head-up displays, integrated with the Enhanced Vision System (EVS), enables the KC-390 Millenium to more easily operate from runways under reduced visibility conditions cause by fog, snow and rain. In addition, the Synthetic Vision System (SVS) complements the landscape overview shown in the display selected by the pilot. While navigating at high latitudes the KC-390 Millennium automatically recognizes Areas Magnetically Unreliable (AMU) and relies on GNSS navigation as the primary sensor.
Additionally, runways in remote areas are typically unpaved, short and narrow. The KC-390 Millenium was designed and certified for operating on unpaved surfaces (grass, gravel, snow). The rugged landing gear combined with eight main wheels with low-pressure tires ensures optimal weight distribution over the ground. The KC-390 tight turn radius on the ground allows it to operate on narrow runways, which can be complemented by its power-back capability whenever required. All these elements make the KC-390 the ideal platform for dispersed operations.
Under cold weather operations, the KC‑390 Millennium reinforces its position as the most efficient, flexible and reliable platform in its category, delivering superior performance, cutting‑edge technology, and full readiness for missions in any environment — even the most extreme.
Watch the video for more details