Seven companies from the Aeronautics and Space Cluster Association of the Basque Country (HEGAN) are participating in the manufacture of the Embraer KC-390, Brazil’s new military transport plane. The companies are Aciturri, Aernnova, Altran, CTA, DYFA, Metraltec and Sener.

The KC-390 is the largest aircraft ever developed by Brazil’s aerospace industry. A prototype could be ready for testing at the end of this year, and enter into service at the end of 2015.

Cluster Hegan points out that Embraer has a launch order for 28 of these planes from the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). There are also four firm purchase orders from other countries.

The KC-390 is a medium-sized, twin-engine aircraft for transport, cargo and inflight refueling. It is capable of carrying up to 23 tons of cargo, including wheeled armored vehicles.

It has a wingspan of 35.1 meters, is 32.7 meters long and 10.3 meters in height. The aircraft was designed in order to replace aging tactical transport planes such as the Hercules C-130. Embraer expects that 689 such aircraft will need to be replaced over the coming decade.

The Spanish companies participating in the program are: Aciturri which has been awarded the contract for wing to fuselage fairing (WFF); and Aernnova which will design and manufacture the composite moveable surfaces (ailerons, flaps and rudders) as well as various other components of the plane.

Sener will manufacture an automated handling system for the assembly of large moveable components. Altran is designing the tooling and development of the primary structure. Metraltec is responsible for fundamental parts and assemblies, while CTA will perform testing of the inboard flaps, the aileron and the rudder. Finally DYFA is involved in the machining and inspection of the carbon fiber components. Other Spanish companies are also involved such as CESA.