The first C-390 Millennium for the Hungarian Air Force completed its inaugural flight successfully in Gavião Peixoto. The Embraer Defense & Security team piloted the aircraft for about four hours on (Feb 8, 2024), conducting a thorough assessment. The aircraft will now undergo testing before entering service with the Hungarian Air Force.
“This first flight is a significant milestone for the Hungarian C-390 program. The C-390 Millennium’s outstanding operational performance and capabilities are gaining international recognition, and Embraer is increasing production to meet growing market demand,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.
Adding, “It’s an honour to collaborate with the Hungarian Defence Forces to enhance their capabilities with the finest military airlift solution available. We look forward to strengthening this partnership further and supporting them in the future.”
In November 2020, the Hungarian government signed a contract with Embraer to purchase two C-390s. These aircraft will be the first in the world to feature an Intensive Care Unit in their configuration, a crucial resource for humanitarian missions.
The C-390 is revolutionizing military air transport, offering multi-mission capability, reliability, and interoperability. Hungary is the third country to select the C-390, following Brazil and Portugal. Other countries such as the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and South Korea have also chosen this multi-mission aircraft.
The C-390 can carry a larger payload (26 tons) compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft and flies faster (470 knots) and farther. It can perform various missions, including cargo and troop transport, aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian missions, even on unpaved runways. The aircraft can also be configured for aerial refuelling, designated as KC-390, which has demonstrated its capability as both a tanker and a receiver.
Since its introduction into service with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019 and more recently with the Portuguese Air Force in 2023, the C-390 has shown its capacity, reliability, and performance. The current fleet has accumulated over 11,500 flight hours, with an operational availability of around 80% and mission completion rates above 99%, showcasing exceptional productivity in its category.