Embraer Celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the KC-390 Millennium’s First Flight
Embraer celebrates a decade of the KC-390 Millennium, a multi-mission tactical transport with a growing global presence.
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Embraer celebrates today the 10th anniversary of the first flight of the KC-390 Millennium, its next-generation multi-mission tactical transport aircraft. The inaugural flight, conducted in Gavião Peixoto on February 3, 2015, lasted 1 hour and 25 minutes, allowing the crew to assess the aircraft’s flight characteristics and impressive performance.
Since then, the fly-by-wire-equipped aircraft has proven to be a reliable, cost-effective, and robust platform, successfully executing a wide range of missions in demanding conditions while achieving growing success in global defense markets.
In October 2018, the KC-390 Millennium reached two key milestones: the first flight of the first production unit and the type certification issued by the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC). This certification was a critical step toward military approval and demonstrated the aircraft’s advanced technological level.
“In just one decade, the KC-390 has proven to be an unbeatable combination of versatility, robustness and flexibility, steadily gaining its place in the market and becoming the ideal choice for countries looking for a multi-mission tactical military transport. This aircraft combines the best of aerospace technology with the spirit of Embraer, dedicated to excellence and performance, enabling our customers to execute their missions anytime, anywhere,” says Bosco da Costa Junior, president and CEO of Embraer of Defense & Security.
A Global Export Success
Between August and September 2019, the signing of a contract with Portugal for the acquisition of five KC-390 Millennium aircraft and the delivery of the first unit to the Brazilian Air Force marked a new chapter in the model’s success story. The following year, Hungary joined the list of countries selecting the KC-390 Millennium to enhance their defense capabilities with this next-generation aircraft.
“The acquisition of the KC-390 by Portugal and Hungary, two leading NATO members, has enabled the KC-390 Millennium to make significant strides in Europe, showcasing the outstanding flexibility, operational efficiency, and low operating costs of this remarkable aircraft,” said Bosco da Costa Junior.
In 2022, the Netherlands announced its selection of the KC-390 Millennium. In 2023, Austria, the Czech Republic, and South Korea also opted for this platform. By 2024, Sweden, Slovakia, and an undisclosed customer had joined the list of operators.
Since entering service with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, the Portuguese Air Force in 2023, and most recently the Hungarian Air Force in 2024, the KC-390 has consistently demonstrated its capability, reliability, and performance. The current fleet of 10 operational aircraft—seven in Brazil, two in Portugal, and one in Hungary—has accumulated more than 16,300 flight hours, with a 93% mission-capable rate and a mission completion rate above 99%, underscoring exceptional productivity in its category.
The KC-390 Millennium can carry 26 tons of payload, surpassing other medium-sized military transport aircraft. Additionally, it flies faster (470 knots) and farther, enabling it to execute a wide variety of missions, including:
- Cargo and troop transport and airdrop
- Aeromedical evacuation
- Search and rescue
- Aerial refueling
- Firefighting
- Humanitarian missions
Designed to operate on unpaved or temporary airstrips, including compacted dirt, mud, and gravel surfaces, the KC-390 Millennium has built a reputation as a versatile and highly efficient aircraft for both military and humanitarian operations. Moreover, its versatility will continue to expand as the Brazilian Air Force and Embraer plan to expande its capabilities for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions as well as maritime patrol operations.
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