IRIA News

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Embraer and Rheinmetall have jointly secured a contract to deliver a comprehensive C-390 Millennium training suite for the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF). This new training package supports the Netherlands’ ongoing program, initiated in July 2024, to replace its aging fleet of C-130H Hercules aircraft.

RNLAF plans to use its five C-390 Millennium transport planes to gradually phase out the C-130H fleet. The new planes are equipped with state-of-the-art capabilities, marking a substantial upgrade in Dutch airlift capabilities.

The C-390 Millennium training suite includes several specialized components designed to ensure realistic training for RNLAF pilots, loadmasters, and other operational personnel. Under this contract, RNLAF would receive Embraer’s Full Flight Simulator, Rheinmetall’s Cargo Handling Station Trainer, and a Computer-Based Trainer developed by Portuguese company ETI. The training equipment will be shipped and fully operational by 2026, coinciding with the anticipated arrival of the new aircraft fleet.

This full-scale, immersive training solution features the Level-D qualifiable Full Flight Simulator, the highest qualification level for simulators. Capable of replicating both normal and emergency flight conditions, this device supports various military operations and has over 350 built-in malfunction scenarios.

These scenarios provide comprehensive emergency preparedness for flight crews, simulating unexpected situations from minor technical issues to critical malfunctions. The simulator’s design also focuses on ease of maintenance, ensuring that RNLAF personnel have a reliable, long-term training resource.

Rheinmetall’s Head of Sales and Aviation Systems, Stefan Klaes noted the unique opportunity the training suite presents for the RNLAF and said, “The C-390 training devices will enable the Royal Netherlands Air Force to prepare and train their missions in a most realistic environment. We are committed, together with our partner Embraer, to providing the best training systems and services for C-390 for the years to come.”

Rheinmetall’s Cargo Handling Station Trainer (CHST) would add another dimension to the training package by offering a dedicated platform for loadmaster procedure training. This device uses advanced visual representation technology to provide an in-depth view of the C-390 Millennium’s cargo hold, allowing loadmasters to practice various cargo handling procedures.

It also simulates views of the entire aircraft, enhancing the learning experience for personnel by presenting accurate, full-scale perspectives of the C-390 during simulated loading and unloading operations. The realistic views allow loadmasters and flight crew to familiarize themselves with the physical constraints and logistical challenges they may face during real missions, ensuring they are well-prepared for in-theater operations.

CEO and President of Embraer Services & Support Carlos Naufel emphasized the importance of the training suite to the longstanding partnership between Embraer and the RNLAF: “The new training devices offered to the Royal Netherlands Air Force are a significant milestone in our long-term relationship.

“Working in partnership with Rheinmetall and ETI, Embraer is focused on providing the best-in-class training solutions required by our customers. We have tailored these solutions aiming at every detail needed by the Royal Netherlands Air Force, and we are looking forward to deepening our relationship even more in the coming years,” he added.

The C-390 Millennium, a tactical airlift transport aircraft designed to replace the Hercules, has several advantages, including its maximum payload of 26 tons, top speed of 470 knots, and capacity to handle diverse missions across various terrain and climate conditions.

The aircraft’s durability and versatility, exemplified by robust landing gear and a large cargo hold, enable it to perform a wide range of missions. These include military transport, special operations, humanitarian assistance, search and rescue, maritime surveillance, firefighting, and disaster management. The C-390’s configuration also supports medical evacuation and aerial refueling, making it a valuable addition to the Dutch defense apparatus.

Built to operate from both paved and unpaved runways, the C-390 is recognized for its reliability. It has accumulated over 15,000 flight hours globally and boasts a mission capability rate of 93% with a mission completion rate exceeding 99%. This operational reliability has led several nations, including the Czech Republic, Hungary, Portugal, Austria, Brazil, and South Korea, to add the C-390 to their fleets.

By teaming up with Embraer, Rheinmetall, and ETI, the Netherlands stands to benefit from the expertise and cutting-edge technology shared across borders. The training suite will not only ensure the readiness of Dutch personnel but will also integrate the RNLAF into a network of nations that operate the C-390, facilitating shared knowledge and best practices.

The RNLAF’s decision to retire the Hercules and adopt the C-390 Millennium aligns with a broader trend among NATO allies to embrace more capable and adaptable air transport solutions. The Netherlands’ latest procurement is thus a key step in its journey to enhance defense readiness and operational flexibility well into the coming decades.