The Czech Republic became the latest customer for the Embraer C-390 Millenium aircraft with a firm order recently signed with the Brazilian airplane manufacturer. The contract will allow the Czech Air Force to receive the two brand new C-390 Millenium Multi Mission transport aircraft. The Czech Republic is the fourth NATO country to order the type following Austria, the Netherlands and Portugal earmarking the type for receiving the standard NATO in-flight refuelling probe in addition to the standard missions configuration allowing the tactical transportation of troops, vehicles and equipment, medical evacuation, firefighting, disaster management, humanitarian support, as well as air-to-air refueling. In addition to the four NATO members as customers, the C-390 has also been ordered by Austria, Brazil, and South Korea.
In operation since 2019, the C-390 Millenium is a newer and more modern military transport aircraft design than the turboprop-equipped Lockheed C-130 Hercules it is intended to compete against. With its twin IAE V2500 turbofan engines, the C-390 is designed to cruise at a speed of 870 km/h (540 mph, 470 kn) Mach 0.8 to a distance of 2,000 km (1,080 nmi; 1,240 mi). Its 35.2 m (115 ft 6 in) length allow the aircraft to embark a payload of 26,000 kg (57,000 lb).
In comparison, the latest variant of the Hercules, the Lockheed C-130J fitted with four Rolls-Royce AE 2100 turboprops has a slightly shorter fuselage length of 29.8 m (97 ft 9 in) and can only accommodate 15,000 kg (34,000 lb) of payload at a range of 3,300 km (1,800 nmi ; 2,100 mi) cruising at 644 km/h (400 mph, 348 kn).
Providing a superior operational performance, the C-390 design presents yet the same level of ruggedness and reliable operation that Embraer has been able to endow each of their aircraft designs with. In particular, the aircraft rugged landing gear allows it to execute landings and take-offs in the most challenging tactical contexts. In these scenarios, the aircraft is capable of operating closer to the battle lines, evacuating 74 litters with life-support equipment, or delivering up to 80 soldiers or 66 paratroopers with full gear, together with the capability to air drop loads of up to 19 tonnes. Combining tactical flexibility and superior flight performance, the C-390 Millenium capabilities will appeal to most air forces.