The Brazilian air force has moved one step closer to becoming the launch customer for Embraer's proposed C-390 tactical transport after including the project in its strategic planning for the next four years.
However, Embraer chief executive Frederico Fleury Curado says "so far no budgetary provisions" have been allocated for the C-390, with the total amount for the programme's budget under discussion with the Brazilian government.
A recently released document by Embraer detailing opportunities in the defence and government market says industrial partner countries and supplier definition for the C-390 are under way and expected to be finalised by July.
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Derived from the Embraer 190 regional jet, the C-390 is the manufacturer's proposed rival to Lockheed Martin's C-130J Hercules. Design and configuration of the C-390 continues to be refined, says Curado, noting that composites are not expected to play a significant role, with the majority of structures to be metallic.
If Embraer decides to formally launch the C-390, Curado says it also intends to export the aircraft, which must be capable of easily slotting into the air force fleets worldwide.
Source: Flight International
