DOPPELADLER.COM

The Portuguese Air Force (PRT AF) officially announced its intention to join Embraer (NYSE: ERJ / B3: EMBR3), a global aerospace leader, 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.

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.

Embraer is soliciting requirements from the Brazilian Air Force and Portuguese Air Force on a potential maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) variant of the C-390 airlifter, aiming to complete all studies no later than the end of 2026.

In April Portugal joined the Brazilian-led program, which aims to design a roll-on/roll-off MPA capability for the C-390. While the studies are still underway, Bosco da Costa Junior, Embraer's Defense and Security president and CEO, forecasts that the first variant could fly in as soon as 12-18 months after the concept is firmed up.