Embraer has officially begun the structural assembly of the first C-390 Millennium for Austria. This major step took place during an official ceremony held at the Gavião Peixoto production facility in the presence of a delegation of representatives from the Austrian government.

With a maximum payload of 26 tons, a top speed of 470 knots, and state-of-the-art systems, the C-390 is the best aircraft in its class. Its powerful engines, large cargo hold equipped with a rear ramp and robust landing gear enable it to carry out the most demanding missions, including unpaved runways. A true strategic asset for its end users, the C-390 Millennium can perform a wide range of military and civilian missions such as cargo transport, personnel and vehicles, peacekeeping operations, special operations, humanitarian support, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, air-to-air refueling, and disaster management.

The aircraft configured with air-to-air refuelling equipment, with the designation KC-390, can operate both as a tanker and as a receiver, in this case also by receiving fuel from another airplane using pods installed under the wings.

It is in service with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, the Portuguese Air Force in 2023 and, most recently the Hungarian Air Force in 2024. Its current fleet of aircraft in operation has accumulated more than 16,300 flight hours.

In addition to Brazil, Portugal, and Hungary, the Netherlands announced their choice for the Millennium in 2022; in 2023, Austria, the Czech Republic and the Republic of Korea also selected the C-390 and in 2024, Sweden, Slovakia and an undisclosed customer also opted for this model.

See for details AVIONEWS.