Dutch Pick Embraer C-390 Over C-130J

Russ Niles

Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 12:15 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The Netherlands has selected Embraer's C-390 tactical airlift aircraft to replace its four aging C-130H Hercules transports, opting for five C-390s over Lockheed Martin's C-130J.
The primary factor in the decision was the C-390's lower operating costs, including less maintenance time and immediate operational readiness compared to the C-130J.
The Dutch concluded that five C-390s could meet their annual 4,000-hour flight requirement, whereas they would have needed at least six C-130Js to achieve the same workload.

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The Netherlands has picked Embraer’s C-390 tactical airlift aircraft over Lockheed Martin’s C-130J. The Dutch will buy five C-390s to replace four second-generation C-130H Hercules transports. Lockheed Martin had entered its current C-130J in the two-aircraft competition. The country was looking for an off-the-shelf replacement for the 30-year-old Hercs, and it set some performance parameters that both aircraft met.

The Embraer apparently won on operating costs. The Dutch said the C-390 spends less time in maintenance and comes ready to go to work. The new Herc needs some extras to meet Dutch needs. The Dutch also determined that they could do the 4,000 hours a year they need with the five Embraers but would need at least six C-130Js to do the same work.