The Portuguese Air Force (PRT AF) officially announced its intention to join Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) in collaborative studies to identify potential adaptations to the current KC-390 Millennium multi-mission tactical airlift to perform Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

The announcement took place yesterday at a ceremony during "LAAD Defense & Security" exhibition with the presence of General João Cartaxo Alves, Commander of the Portuguese Air Force; Lieutenant-Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, Commander of the Brazilian Air Force; Francisco Gomes Neto, president and CEO of Embraer; and Bosco da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.

During the ceremony, a concept image of the modular ISR roll-on/roll-off mission system currently under development was presented. This solution will allow the KC-390 to perform ISR missions while maintaining all its multi-mission capabilities.

These studies have pointed to several possibilities and solutions for the integration of new mission systems, sensors, workstations, and weapons, in addition to meeting the operational expectations of the Portuguese and Brazilian Air Forces.

See for details AVIONEWS 1 and 2.