IAE Begins Assembling First KC-390 Engines

IAE is assembling the first V2500-E5 engines which was selected in 2011 to power Embraer's new KC-390 multi-role tanker/transport aircraft in June.

IAE is assembling the first engine to test (FETT) at the Pratt & Whitney Middletown, Conn., Engine Center. Civil certification for the new engine model is planned for third quarter 2014. The engine certification basis has been established with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“It is an honor to have Embraer, an internationally known airframer, as a customer,” said IAE President Jon Beatty. “The V2500 is a well-established, proven engine that powers approximately 2,200 aircraft today. We are excited to be a part of Embraer’s new program and have a dedicated team located at their facility to support them."

IAE successfully completed its V2500-E5 Preliminary Design Review in August 2012 and Critical Design Review (CDR) in February 2013 prior to Embraer completing its aircraft CDR, clearing the way for the first test flight in the second half of 2014.

“We look forward to the delivery of the first engines and to our first flight milestone next year,” said Luiz Carlos Aguiar, president and CEO, Embraer Defense and Security. “We will continue to work closely with IAE on certification and testing.”

When fully assembled, tested, podded, and instrumented, IAE plans to ship a total of six powerplants for testing to Embraer: three by the end of 2013 and three by end of first quarter 2014. Production powerplants will be delivered by late 2015, with entry into service scheduled for early 2016. Embraer estimates a potential addressable opportunity of 728 aircraft over the first 10 years of production. To date, six countries have signed letters of intent to buy 60 aircraft.

The V2500-E5 engine, rated at 31,330 pounds of thrust, was selected in July 2011 by Embraer Defense and Security, in concurrence with the Brazilian Air Force, as the powerplant for the KC-390. While Embraer and its customers desire maximum commonality with the V2500, modest changes have been made to the externals and installation to interface with the new airframe.