The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) and Embraer Defense & Security have successfully concluded the critical design review (CDR) of the KC-390 military transport aircraft.

During the CDR, the definitive aerodynamic and structural configurations, as well as the architecture and systems installations were confirmed, and meaning that the design is sufficiently mature to begin the detailed project and manufacture the prototypes of the aircraft.

Participating in the closing of the CDR were members of the Brazilian Air Force High Command, with special mention of Air Force Lt General Aprígio Eduardo de Moura Azevedo, Air Force Chief of Staff. The FAB delegation got a close look at the tools and models used in developing the KC-390, such as an engineering simulator and a life-size model of the cockpit.

“We have concluded an important stage of the KC-390 Programme and, therefore, we gave an accounting to the FAB of the work done. We will now begin the production phase of the prototypes,” said Luiz Carlos Aguiar, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. The manufacture of the first pieces of the prototype will soon begin and all of the activities of the project are focused on taking the first flight in the second half of 2014. The KC-390 is the largest airplane ever conceived and built by the Brazilian aeronautics industry and will establish a new standard for medium-sized military transport aircraft, in terms of performance and payload, as well as advance mission and flight systems.