Aviation
Military /
Brazil
Project KC-X3
FAB, Brazilian Air Force, is authorized to proceed with the acquisition of strategic transport planes
Airbus A330 MRTT, aeronave de transporte e reabastecimento em voo
Por Aldo Bidini, GFDL 1.2, Via Wikimedia Commons
Rafael Ramos
5/14/2021
Yesterday, May 12th, the authorization was published in the Federal Official Gazette for the Brazilian Air Force to proceed with the purchase of two transport and supply aircraft in flight, a project called KC-X3.
The discussion on the acquisition of a new transport plane to fill the place of the Boeing 707 returned to the government's agenda due to the crisis of lack of oxygen in Manaus. A large strategic transport aircraft is shown to be necessary, not only for the transport of oxygen, but also for the transport of patients.
In one of the lives of the current president Jair Bolsonaro, the purchase of the planes by the FAB was even announced, although the Minister of Economy, Paulo Guedes, denied the project alleging lack of resources.
Airbus A330 reabastecendo F-16 durante um voo
Domínio Público
Aeronautical Commander Carlos Baptista Júnior said that what was denied by the minister was an extraordinary credit and concluded with the statement that the FAB would be working to obtain other resources.
The document published on May 12 and signed by the Minister of Defense Braga Netto says that: “The exceptional character of the requirement for commercial, technological or industrial compensation in the acquisition of 2 (two) strategic transport and refueling aircraft in flight - called by the Air Force Command as “Project KC-X3? - in the form of used aircraft, in order to reduce the value of the offers, and that fully meet the needs of the Brazilian Air Force. The speed of acquisition is justified, among other reasons, by facing the public health emergency and for humanitarian support ”.
Apparently, the negotiation would be for the acquisition of two used Airbus A330 MRTT jets from the British Air Force (Royal Air Force). The plane has good versatility and can be used to transport 130 patients on stretchers or in a configuration of 28 stretchers, six ICUs, 20 seats for doctors and 100 passengers, in addition to 37 tons of cargo in the hold. The aircraft can still perform two in-flight refueling.
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Rafael Ramos
Aviation enthusiast from an early age, he had his first contacts with the area developing that good old habit of spending dozens of hours in front of the screens of Micrsoft Flight Simulator and other simulators. With a solid background in various technological areas, including engineering and chemistry, Rafael has rejoined aviation as editor and author of articles and materials on our portal, providing invaluable help to the dynamics and expansion of the website and the aeronautical community, bringing us the news and updates so indispensable for us to remain current in our area of operation.
   
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