From December 13 to 15, the third logistical support flight of Operation Antarctica XL took place, carrying both equipment and personnel between Brazil and Punta Arenas – Chile.
For the first time and onboard, the KC-390 were the researchers of seven projects for the first stage of the Operation, as well as the 16 members of the «Polaris» Base Group, who will return to Brazil after 13 months at the Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station.
Entre os dias 13 e 15/12, a FAB participou pela primeira vez da missão #PROANTAR com a aeronave KC-390 Millennium em Punta Arenas, em apoio ao contingente da @marmilbr da Estação Antártica Comandante Ferraz. ⚓🇧🇷@DefesaGovBr #JuntosSomosMaisFortes #IntegrandoForças #FAB pic.twitter.com/6mJFO0RrKL
— Força Aérea Brasileira 🇧🇷 (@fab_oficial) December 16, 2021
Due to restrictions imposed by COVID-19, it was not yet possible to have the aircraft certified for landing on the Chilean runway in Antarctica, but the touchdown in Punta Arenas is the first step in this challenge.
The Brazilian Air Force’s (FAB) existing fleet of KC-390s currently counts with five units and these aircraft have exceeded 4,000 flight hours in operation, including their extensive use to transport medical equipment and supplies across the country that are needed in an urgent manner to deal with the COVID-19 situation in Brazil.
The KC-390 is a military tactical transport aircraft designed to set new standards in its category. Some of the aircraft’s strengths are its mobility, robust design, greater flexibility, proven state-of-the-art technology, and easier maintenance.
Embraer highlights that its KC-390 Millenniums fly faster and carry more payload than other military cargo aircraft of the same size and are the ideal platforms for the main scenarios of usage. They require fewer inspections and maintenance, combined with highly reliable systems and components, reducing aircraft ground time and overall operating costs, resulting in excellent levels of availability and low life-cycle cost.
