Rheinmetall to develop new training equipment suite for the KC-390 airlifter programme.

Embraer Defense & Security’s KC-390 made its maiden flight on 3 February 2015 and is now close to going into full-scale production. Experts see excellent opportunities for the new aircraft on the world market. The Brazilian Air Force has already ordered 28 planes, and the armed forces of a number of other Latin American and European nations have expressed serious interest in it.

Rheinmetall’s Simulation and Training business unit will design, manufacture, deliver and support all training devices for Embraer’s revolutionary new KC-390 aircraft, including cargo handling, procedure and maintenance trainers as well as flight and mission training systems, including full mission and flight simulators. Rheinmetall brings to the project its vast expertise in training systems, especially for military transport aircraft, and will provide proven, innovative simulation technology for future KC-390 pilots, mission crew, loadmasters and maintainers.

"Rheinmetall is honoured to have been selected as the training devices partner in the KC-390 programme", declared Ulrich Sasse, president of Rheinmetall’s Simulation and Training business unit. "It’s exciting to be able to demonstrate our commitment to Embraer and the entire KC-390 programme by providing proven, state-of-the-art simulation technology from Germany."

Embraer KC-390 is a tactical transport aircraft that sets new standards in its category, while offering the lowest lifecycle costs in the market. It can perform a variety of missions, such as cargo and troop transport, troop and cargo air delivery, aerial refuelling, search and rescue and forest fire fighting. Embraer expects certification of the KC-390 jet by the end of 2017, with first deliveries of the aircraft scheduled for the first half of 2018.

"We look forward to building on our recent fruitful cooperation with Rheinmetall and are confident that our partnership will result in a first-class KC-390 Training Media Suite that will definitely contribute to the overall success of the KC-390 programme", stated Jackson Schneider, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.