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SP's Military Yearbook 2021-2022
SP's Military Yearbook 2021-2022
       

Brazilian Air Force Acquires Second Firefighting Equipment Unit to Equip KC-390 Fleet

Contract will double FAB's firefighting capacity

São José dos Campos, Brazil December 18, 2024 Photo(s): By Embraer

Embraer has signed a contract with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) to provide a new Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS II) unit. This will be FAB's second device, which can be quickly installed on any KC-390 multi-mission aircraft in FAB's fleet. With MAFFS II, the KC-390 offers a deployment capacity of approximately 12,000 liters of water in 7 seconds, per flight.

"MAFFS II System has demonstrated high reaction capability in emergency situations that have occurred in many of Brazil's regions. In total, the KC-390 equipped with the Fire Fighting System has already dropped more than one million liters of water this year. Our decision to expand this capacity is due to the high efficiency of MAFFS II, proven in more than 100 flights, and the demand we have for tools such as this one," said Lieutenant-Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, Air Force Commander.

"The KC-390 has proven its versatility in critical missions for the country, such as fighting fires in the Pantanal, the Amazon, and São Paulo during 2024. With the acquisition of this new MAFFS II unit, FAB will double its operational performance in these operations. We are very pleased with the progress of the multi-mission platform manufactured by Embraer in meeting the country's needs," said Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.

Since entering service with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, the Portuguese Air Force in 2023, and the Hungarian Air Force in 2024, the aircraft has shown 93 per cent operational availability and mission completion rates above 99 per cent, demonstrating exceptional productivity in its category. In addition to Brazil, Portugal, and Hungary, the C-390 has also been acquired by the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and South Korea. Recently, Sweden also confirmed the selection of the C-390 Millennium, and Slovakia reported that the C-390 was indicated as the best option for updating its transport aircraft fleet.