Embraer, Anduril to arm C-390 transport with cruise missiles

Embraer ↗ 2.34% and Anduril Industries announced on Monday at the Farnborough Airshow the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to integrate Anduril's pallet-launched Barracuda-500M stand-off cruise missile onto the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft. The agreement would mark the first time an offensive weapons capability has been placed on the C-390 platform.breakingdefense+1

Turning Cargo Planes Into Arsenal Ships

The palletized variant of the Barracuda-500M enables airlift aircraft to launch dozens of munitions simultaneously using roll-on/roll-off mission systems and conventional aerial delivery procedures. The concept transforms a proven tactical transport into a stand-off strike platform without permanently altering the airframe.sps-aviation

"Integrating the pallet-launched Barracuda-500M with Embraer's C-390 Millennium gives allied militaries a new way to generate massed, stand-off effects from a proven airlift platform," said Greg Kausner, senior vice president for global defense at Anduril.breakingdefense+1

Embraer defense chief Bosco da Costa Jr. said the company is "receiving this demand from several countries around the globe," including nations in Europe and Asia, though he declined to identify specific customers or provide a timeline for testing.breakingdefense

Growing Momentum for the Barracuda

The announcement builds on a series of recent milestones for Anduril's cruise missile program. On July 15, the U.S. Department of War signed a framework agreement with Anduril to procure thousands of air-launched Barracuda-500 munitions annually for seven years, with initial deliveries expected in 2027. In May, a separate agreement covered at least 3,000 surface-launched variants for the U.S. Army. Earlier this month, Poland's state-owned WZL-2 signed a deal with Anduril to produce the Barracuda-500M domestically.defence-industry+4

Anduril completed the first successful pallet-launched flight of the Barracuda-500M in September 2024 and has since conducted dozens of additional flight tests validating autonomy, terminal engagements, and payload performance.anduril+1

C-390's Expanding Customer Base

The C-390 is currently operational with Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, which received its first aircraft on July 6. South Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, Uzbekistan, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, Slovakia, and Lithuania have also ordered the platform. Embraer expects to deliver the first two aircraft for the UAE by 2028.theaviationist+1