DRS Defense Solutions has been awarded a contract by Embraer S.A., located in São José dos Campos, São Paolo, Brazil, for the design, development, testing, production, and after-market support of the KC-390 cargo handling and aerial delivery system (CHS/ADS).

Embraer was awarded the KC-390 design and development contract by the Brazilian Air Force in April 2009. The KC-390 is a fixedwing transport aircraft under development for the Brazilian Air Force launch customer and targeted customers around the world. As a medium- to heavy-class military transport aircraft, the KC-390 will perform troop and cargo transport, aerial delivery, in-flight refueling and medical evacuations. The KC-390 CHS/ADS is one of the five major aircraft subsystems.

The KC-390 CHS/ADS will be integral to the aircraft cabin for transporting palletized cargo and rolling stock onboard the aircraft as well as performing various aerial delivery missions involving parachute extraction of cargo. The CHS/ADS will be comprised of an electrical pallet locking system, electronic load master control subsystem involving DO178 level A software certification, retractable guide-rails, invertible cargo rollers, tie-down devices, and other system components integrated into purpose-designed structural floor panels custom configured to meet stringent weight limitations.