EMBRAER opens final assembly hangar for the KC-390, in Gaviao Peixoto, SP, Brazil

EMBRAER held the opening ceremony of the final assembly line of the KC-390 military transport on May 20th. The event occurred at Embraer’s plant in Gaviao Peixoto, Sao Paulo. Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force signed the series production contract of the KC-390, thus marking the beginning of a new phase of the project, which began to be developed in 2009. The contract provides for the purchase of 28 aircraft over a period of ten years, with the first delivery scheduled for the end of 2016. Besides the aircraft, the contract provides for supplying a logistical support package, which includes spare parts and maintenance. At a total value of R$ 7.2bn, the contract still depends on complementary documentation in order to go into effect, which is expected to occur within 90 days. IAE International Aero Engines meanwhile reported that it shipped all six prototype V2500-E5 powerplants for the KC-390 multi-role tanker/transport aircraft to EMBRAER. The first three were delivered ahead of schedule earlier this year and the remaining three instrumented powerplants were shipped earlier this month. All six engines will be used in flight tests beginning in 2014. Civil certification for the new engine model is planned for third quarter 2014. Following assembly at the Pratt & Whitney Middletown, Connecticut, Engine Center, the V2500-E5 engines were shipped to the UTC Aerospace Systems – Aerostructures in Foley, Alabama, for installation of nacelles, thrust reversers and engine build-up equipment. Production powerplants will be delivered to support entry into service scheduled in 2016.