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RIO DE JANEIRO—Portugal joined an ongoing study by the Brazilian Air Force on April 1 to adapt the C-390 for surveillance missions, Embraer said on the first day of the Latin American Aerospace and Defense Expo here.
The studies kicked off more than a year ago, then narrowed last December to a maritime patrol version of the jet-powered tactical transport.
“The Brazilian Air Force welcomes the Portuguese Air Force in joining this study, bringing their knowledge and experience to enhance the potential solution,” said Lt. Brig. Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, the Brazilian Air Force commander.
Portugal operates a small fleet of Lockheed P-3C Orions and serves as the first foreign operator of the C-390.
The studies suggest Portugal may be interested in adapting its C-390s for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The studies are focused on modular suites that can be rolled onto the aircraft for a specific mission, then rolled off so the C-390 can perform its original role as a transport.
“We see a great potential of the aircraft for ISR and maritime patrol missions,” Kanitz said.
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