Embraer has efficiently accomplished the battle take a look at of the certification marketing campaign for the Modular Airborne Fireplace Preventing System (MAFFS II), which gives the C-390 Millennium with the required functionality to carry out firefighting missions. The exams, carried out on the Embraer facility in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo State, in Brazil, characterize an necessary development within the certification marketing campaign of this capability by the Brazilian Navy Certification Authority (IFI). After certification, the firefighting functionality can be accessible to plane’s operators. The KC-390 can perform a variety of missions, together with humanitarian help, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), search and rescue, and aerial refuelling.

Embraer C-390 Millennium Aerial Firefighting Operation Certification

The Embraer C-390 Millennium is a medium-size, twin-engine, jet-powered army transport plane designed and produced by the Brazilian aerospace producer Embraer. Its design permits versatile operations; each the inner and exterior configuration of the plane may be quickly interchanged to accommodate completely different mission roles. When geared up with a roll-on-roll-off firefighting system, the C-390 MILLENNIUM is a vital aerial useful resource for firefighters in battling wildfires, dropping water or fireplace retardants. The C-390 MILLENNIUM fly-by-wire gives excellent maneuverability at low velocity and low altitude to fly over wildfire areas, rising the mission effectivity.

Commercial

Embraer C-390 Millennium Aerial Firefighting Operation Certification
Embraer C-390 Millennium Aerial Firefighting Operation Certification

The Modular Airborne FireFighting System (MAFFS) is a self-contained unit used for aerial firefighting that may be loaded onto each army cargo transport Lockheed C-130 Hercules and Embraer C-390 Millennium, which then permits the plane for use as an air tanker towards wildfires. This enables the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to make use of army plane from the Air Nationwide Guard and Air Pressure Reserve to function an emergency backup useful resource to the civilian air tanker fleet. The unique MAFFS needs to be pressurized by a compressor on the bottom as part of the loading course of. Aero Union, below contract to the USFS, has developed an improved model of the system, often called the MAFFS II.

Embraer C-390 Millennium Aerial Firefighting Operation Certification
Embraer C-390 Millennium Aerial Firefighting Operation Certification

The Modular Airborne Fireplace Preventing System (MAFFS II) has a capability of as much as 3,000 US gallons (11,000 l; 2,500 imp gal), changing the 5 retardant tanks with one massive tank, and has two on-board air compressors. The power to pressurize the system within the air cuts turn-around time considerably.[8] The brand new system discharges the retardant by way of a particular plug within the paratroop drop door on the aspect of the plane, reasonably than requiring the cargo ramp door to be opened; this enables the plane to stay pressurized through the drop sequence.[9] Much more considerably, the cargo ramp and door can stay closed, reducing drag significantly, and thereby permitting a better efficiency margin than accessible with MAFFS I.