Embraer used the Paris air show to sign deals with three new industry partners for its KC-390 transport and tanker.
The Brazilian airframer announced agreements with Esterline Control Systems for the developmental type's autothrottle, Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse SAS for environmental and cabin pressure control systems and Messier-Bugatti-Dowty for landing gears and related equipment.
Announced at the show on 24 June, the deal with Messier-Bugatti-Dowty will see the French Safran group company deliver wheels and carbon brakes for the KC-390's eight-wheeled main landing gear and two-wheeled nose landing gear.
It also covers the aircraft's nose-wheel steering manifold, braking control systems and hydraulic components for its undercarriage extension and retraction system.
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Embraer Defense and Security vice-president Eduardo Bonini Santos Pinto said the company's selection "will result in the best solution, in terms of operations and maintenance costs, thus contributing to making the KC-390 highly competitive".
The KC-390 is scheduled to begin flight testing in 2014 and enter operational use by late 2015. With an expected cargo capacity of 23,000kg (50,760lb), the design has attracted attention from possible future operators Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Portugal and the United Arab Emirates.
Source: Flight International
