Embraer completes C-390/KC-390 firefighting flight tests
C-390 Millennium pictured during flight tests of its firefighting system. (Photo: Embraer)
The Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System will eventually be certified for installation aboard Embraer tanker aircraft ordered by Brazil, Hungary and Portugal.
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer revealed on 5 September that it has completed flight certification tests for the firefighting system aboard the KC-390/C-390 Millennium transport aircraft.
The tests of the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS II) were carried out at the Embraer facility in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo State.
After approval from the Brazilian Military Certification Authority ‘the firefighting capability will be available to aircraft's operators’, Embraer stated.
The KC-390 tanker configuration of the aircraft has been ordered by Brazil (22 platforms), Portugal (five) and Hungary (two).
MAFFS II is capable of deploying up to 11,300 litres of water with or without fire retardant. It is designed to interface with the cargo-handling system aboard the aircraft and can be rapidly installed in the cargo bay.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Defence Notes
-
![Companies’ results boom as countries dig deep to buy missiles and air defence systems]()
Companies’ results boom as countries dig deep to buy missiles and air defence systems
Air defence systems are continuing to appear top of countries’ shopping lists but broadly across different capabilities it is a sellers’ market, as demonstrated by backlogs and double-digit percentage point growth.
-
![Forging strong partnerships for warfighting communications in space (Studio)]()
Forging strong partnerships for warfighting communications in space (Studio)
Mike Moran, Director of US Government Business at Amazon Project Kuiper Government Solutions, highlighted the evolution of space as a critical warfighting domain at the Defence in Space Conference (DISC) 2025, held this week in London.
-
![Details revealed on Germany’s big spending plans]()
Details revealed on Germany’s big spending plans
In May this year, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the government plans to position Germany as “Europe's strongest conventional army”. A new blueprint outlines how this is going to occur through massive investment.
-
![European Council to deliver at “pace and scale” on European defence readiness 2030 roadmap]()
European Council to deliver at “pace and scale” on European defence readiness 2030 roadmap
Two of the concrete projects outlined in the readiness report, the European Air Shield and Space Shield, will aim to be launched by Q2 2026.
-
![Malaysia’s defence budget sets out major procurement goals for 2026]()
Malaysia’s defence budget sets out major procurement goals for 2026
The country has allocated RM21.70 billion for defence spending next year, with some major procurements set to be initiated across the country’s army, navy and air force.
-
![GAO highlights the need for more commercial data and availability improvements]()
GAO highlights the need for more commercial data and availability improvements
The US Government Accountability Office recently released two reports; one into the availability of selected equipment and another looking at how the government gets data and intellectual property rights through contracting.
