The Brazilian air force has started flight testing the aerial refueling capabilities of Embraer's KC-390 airlifter.
The first in-flight refueling mission of the future Brazilian air force aircraft occurred earlier this month, and military and company personnel are working on another test campaign with F-5M fighters again acting as the fuel receiver aircraft, the air force said.
The KC-390 by Embraer is a medium-sized jet transport. Embraer has so far built two prototypes of the aircraft.
In the refueling tests, no fuel was transferred from the KC-390 but other refueling procedures were carried out.
Engineers also evaluated the common parameters for the correct flight profile by the tanker and receiver aircraft in initial tests.
"Since the F-5M and KC-390 have different envelopes, it is necessary to find a third envelope, at the intersection of the between the two aircraft, to carry out refueling," said Lt. Col. Fernando Benitez Leal, technical manager of the air force's KC-X program.
The KC-390 refuel test program is schedule will run until the end of 2018. Currently, there are two prototypes performing in-flight testing in parallel, and a third is in the finalization phase.
In all, there will be more than 2,000 flight hours for the development and certification tests of the aircraft.
Leonardo delivers first NH90 MITT helo to Italian navy
Leonardo delivered its first NH90 Maritime – Italian Navy Tactical Transport helicopter during a ceremony held at Luni Naval Base.
The delivery marks the first of ten scheduled for the Italian navy, which designated the aircraft as MH-90. Leonardo flight-tested and designed the aircraft from its Venice-Tessera facility.
The NH90 Maritime – Italian Navy Tactical Transport, or MITT … read more
