The C-390 Millennium transport aircraft has become a true bestseller today, including among NATO countries, so the integration of inexpensive Barracuda-500M cruise missiles onto it has potential
Brazilian Embraer has reached an agreement with American Anduril to integrate the Barracuda-500M (B-500M) cruise missile onto the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft. This involves palletized launch from the cargo hold.
The companies announced the signing of the relevant Memorandum of Understanding at the Farnborough Airshow 2026. It is noted that this will make it possible to obtain inexpensive and flexible target engagement capabilities.
The press release states the capability for mass launch of dozens of inexpensive cruise missiles from a single aircraft. This is proposed primarily for the United States and its allies, with an emphasis on interoperability between forces.
From Defense Express, we note that using transport aircraft for launching cruise missiles is an old idea that has not lost its relevance even now. The Rapid Dragon project is mentioned here, which allows transforming an aircraft into a carrier of long-range weapons, specifically the AGM-158 JASSM.
Such a concept allows for an increase in the number of platforms for long-range strikes and further utilization of the transport aviation fleet. Additionally, the high payload capacity of these aircraft provides room for mass launches.
The choice of the C-390 as a “flying launcher” makes sense, as it can currently be called a true bestseller. The Millennium has already been selected by Brazil, the UAE, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Hungary, South Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, Uzbekistan, Sweden, Slovakia, and Lithuania.
Moreover, such integration could help Embraer find new customers. Specifically, this could be the US market, where the company is currently trying to enter. Meanwhile, Anduril positions its cruise missile as a means for rapid replenishment of the American arsenal of long-range strike capabilities, and the Pentagon has already entered into a framework agreement for the purchase of up to 3,000 units.
As a reminder, the Barracuda-500M is stated to be a mass-produced cruise missile with a range of 900 km and a 45 kg warhead. It has the capability for launch from both specialized aviation platforms and transport aircraft, and even ground launchers.
In addition to the United States, Taiwan and even Poland are establishing production of this system from Anduril. Since the C-390 is also being promoted to the latter, expanding the aircraft’s arsenal could incline the Poles to choose the Brazilian aircraft.