Embraer rolls out KC-390 military transport aircraft in Brazil amid huge fanfare

The first completed prototype of the Embraer KC-390 military transport aircraft 
rolled out of the company’s Gavião Peixoto, Brazil, production facility on 21 October.

Embraer can now begin ground testing in preparation for first flight, which the
 company maintains will occur before the end of the year. The example is the first of 
two that will be used for ground and flight testing and in the certification process.

The aircraft was developed in concert with the Brazilian Air Force, which is 
contracted to receive at least 28 of the type starting in 2016. Another five
 nations have signed letters of intent to purchase a total 32 additional KC-390s.

Embraer expects first operational KC-390 buyer in 2014

Embraer KC 390

Embraer expects to sign the first firm order for the KC-390 airlifter and tanker in the first quarter of 2014, as the pace of development and testing accelerates 20 months ahead of the scheduled first flight milestone.

"We will fly this aircraft at the end of next year, which is like saying, tomorrow - it's so close, but we'll do it," says Paulo Gastão Silva, Embraer's KC-390 programme director.

Embraer is already on contract to build the first two KC-390 prototypes for the flight test programme. Six countries have signed commitments to buy 60 more of the twinjets: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Czech Republic and Portugal.