Thales has been awarded a contract by Embraer Defence and Security to provide the Inertial Navigation System (INS) and the GPS of the KC-390 military transport aircraft.

Thales HPIRS (High Performance Inertial Reference System) is a real breakthrough in inertial navigation, as it combines the advantages of a civil certified product with the performances expected by military aircraft.

This revolutionary system provides unique navigation capabilities and performances: it allows military aircraft to successfully conduct missions by flying in all weather conditions, with the highest level of safety.

In addition, the unique architecture of the aircraft’s navigation system enables a significant reduction in life cycle and maintenance costs. Thales HPIRS modular design enables its installation on a large range of civil and military aircraft.

“Thales HPIRS and GPS will provide unique capability to the KC-390 and will contribute to the success of the program. After a rigorous selection process, Thales solution was clearly the best one for the KC-390,” Said Eduardo Bonini Santos Pinto, Sr. Vice President Operations & COO, Embraer Defence and Security.

“We are very proud to have been selected by Embraer as their choice reflects the technological breakthrough made by Thales in the inertial and GPS navigation system. We are eager to contribute to the success of the KC-390 program and to further develop our relationship with Embraer,” said Dominique Giannoni, Vice President of Thales Military Avionics Business Line.

Embraer is developing the KC-390 under contract with the Brazilian Air Force. The test flights are planned for 2014 with the initial delivery of KC-390 in 2016.