Embraer C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft completed the test to operate on semi-prepared gravel pavements runaway. The Embraer C-390 Millennium is a mid-sized utility transport aircraft. With the support of the Brazilian Air Force (Forca Aerea Brasileira, FAB) the test happened on a 2100 meters unpaved runway created by Embraer, at the Gaviao Peixoto unit, Brazil, in which, 1200 meters were dedicated to gravel pavement with the objective of evaluating takeoffs and landings in this type of terrain. Embraer C-390 Millennium is equipped with low-pressure tires, two 5.9 bar (85 psi) on the nose and four 7.2 bar (105 psi) on either side bogies, which facilitate the aircraft’s use upon soft, unpaved ground, such as austere airstrips, or damaged runways.
Embraer C-390 Millennium is a medium-size, twin-engine, jet-powered military transport aircraft designed and produced by the Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer. It is the heaviest aircraft the company has constructed to date. Work on the project began at Embraer during the mid-2000s, with early efforts centred around a conceptual derivative of the E190 jetliner of a similar size to the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. On 3 February 2015, the first of two prototypes performed its maiden flight. On 4 September 2019, the first production aircraft was delivered to the Brazilian Air Force. On 18 November 2019, during the Dubai Airshow, Embraer announced the aircraft’s new name for the global market, C-390 Millennium.
Embraer C-390 Millennium design permits flexible operations; both the internal and external configuration of the aircraft can be rapidly interchanged to accommodate different mission roles. It also incorporates modern technology and mission software to aid crews in carrying out operations. The cockpit has head-up displays for the enhanced vision system with four cameras and Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion commercial avionics. The aircraft is powered by a pair of IAE V2500-E5 turbofan engines, which are mounted forward on the high wing; this wing features an anhedral angle, slats, and High-lift devices able to deflect up to 40°. The C-390 has a cruising speed of Mach 0.8 which, according to Embraer, enables payloads to be transported faster than any other airplane in the medium airlift market.
With a load capacity of 26 tonnes (57,000 lb), the aircraft can be configured to perform various conventional operations such as troop, VIP and cargo transportation, and more specialised logistical operations such as aerial refuelling as a tanker. It can carry payloads of up to 26 t (57,000 lb), such as two fully-tracked M113 armored personnel carriers, one Boxer armoured vehicle, a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter, 74 litters with life-support equipment, up to 80 soldiers or 66 paratroopers with full gear, and loads of up to 42,000 lb (19 t) can be air dropped. The C-390 can refuel in flight other aircraft through two wing-mounted probe and drogue pods from Cobham plc; these can deliver fuel at up to 1,500 L (400 US gal) per minute from a 35 t (77,000 lb) total fuel capacity.
C-390 Millennium gravel runway tests
