Rheinmetall to Provide Advanced Simulators for C-390 Aircraft to the Netherlands in Multi-Million Euro Deal

Rheinmetall to Provide Advanced Simulators for C-390 Aircraft to the Netherlands in Multi-Million Euro Deal

(IN BRIEF) Rheinmetall has been awarded a contract by Embraer to supply advanced simulators for the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s C-390 aircraft, including a Full Flight and Mission Simulator (FFMS) and a Cargo Handling Station Trainer (CHST). These simulators, set for delivery by the end of 2026, will enhance training for flight crews and ground personnel. The FFMS meets the Level D standard and allows training for various operational conditions and malfunctions, while the CHST focuses on cargo handling procedures. This is Rheinmetall’s third major C-390 simulator contract, expanding the global training infrastructure for this aircraft. The partnership also opens the door for a future C-390 training center in Europe to support growing demand.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜSSELDORF, 13-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Rheinmetall has secured a contract with Embraer to provide advanced simulators for the C-390 transport aircraft to support the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The technology group, based in Düsseldorf, Germany, will deliver a Full Flight and Mission Simulator (FFMS) along with a Cargo Handling Station Trainer (CHST) for the C-390. These simulators, designed to enhance training capabilities for both flight crews and ground personnel, will be produced immediately with delivery scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. The contract is valued in the double-digit million euro range and was booked in the first quarter of 2025.

The Rheinmetall C-390 simulators are an integral part of the training program for the Embraer C-390 transport aircraft. The FFMS, which adheres to the stringent Level D standard and meets all international qualification requirements, will allow crews to train under various normal and emergency conditions, simulate military operations, and perform over 350 possible malfunctions. Additionally, it is designed to be user-friendly and easy to maintain. Notably, the Dutch variant will be the first to incorporate a new image generator for enhanced visual quality.

The CHST, another key component of this agreement, is designed to provide comprehensive training in cargo handling procedures for flight crews, loadmasters, and other personnel involved in managing cargo. Equipped with state-of-the-art visual display technology, the CHST offers both interior views of the cargo compartment and exterior views of the entire aircraft to enhance the realism of training scenarios.

This order marks Rheinmetall’s third major FFMS contract for the C-390, with two previous orders secured from Embraer and the Portuguese Air Force. With the growing demand for the C-390 aircraft, the Netherlands now joins Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, and South Korea as one of the countries utilizing this advanced transport solution.

The Embraer C-390 aircraft, which made its maiden flight on February 3, 2015, is steadily expanding its presence worldwide. In response to the increasing number of European C-390 customers, Embraer and Rheinmetall are exploring the possibility of establishing a dedicated C-390 training center in Europe. This center would provide enhanced training support to current and future C-390 operators. Currently, the Brazilian state of São Paulo hosts the Embraer C-390 training center, where crews from Brazil, Portugal, and Hungary undergo their training with access to the FFMS and CHST.

About Rheinmetall

Düsseldorf-based technology group Rheinmetall is a leading international defence contractor, as well as a driver of technological and industrial innovation in civil markets. In 2023, the Group’s more than 30,000 employees worldwide generated sales of around €7.2 billion.

About Embraer

Embraer is a global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil. The company manufactures aircraft for the passenger transportation, business aviation, defence and security, and agriculture markets. It also provides post-sales service and support through its worldwide network of own companies and authorised agents.

Since 1969, the year it was founded, Embraer has delivered more than 9,000 aircraft. On average, an Embraer-manufactured aircraft takes off around every 10 seconds, flying at least one passenger per seat, across more than 150 million passengers a year.

Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial aircraft with up to 150 seats and the leading exporter of high-value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains industrial operations, offices, service and parts distribution centres across the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe. Embraer’s APAC headquarters are located in Singapore and its China headquarters are located in Beijing.

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SOURCE: Rheinmetall