Knight Aerospace has completed a Critical Design Review (CDR) for the aeromedical evacuation system being developed for the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s C-390 Millennium fleet, the Texas-based company announced on April 6, 2026.
The CDR milestone, completed in partnership with Embraer and in coordination with the Dutch procurement authority Materiel and IT Command (Commando Materieel en IT), confirms that the design has reached sufficient maturity to proceed to production.
Modular system for the Dutch C-390
Knight Aerospace is responsible for the modular Aeromedical Evacuation System at the core of the Dutch capability. The system uses a roll-on/roll-off configuration compatible with the C-390’s existing cargo handling system, allowing the aircraft to be reconfigured for medical missions without permanent modification.
The system supports a range of in-flight medical care scenarios, including intensive care transport, life support, and the isolation of patients with infectious diseases. The negatively pressurized isolation module is designed to reduce contamination risks for medical personnel and crew during transport.
The contract for the aeromedical system was signed at the Paris Air Show in June 2025, making the Netherlands the launch customer for the new capability. The agreement included one firm order alongside seven purchase options intended to facilitate rapid delivery to allied nations operating the C-390 platform.
Path to production
With the CDR now complete, Knight Aerospace said the program is advancing toward production and eventual deployment. The company credited the milestone to collaboration between its own team, Embraer, the Royal Netherlands Air Force, and Commando Materieel en IT.
The Royal Netherlands Air Force ordered five C-390 Millennium aircraft in 2022 to replace its aging C-130 Hercules fleet. First deliveries are expected to begin in 2026.
Knight Aerospace, headquartered at Port San Antonio in Texas, describes itself as the world’s leading manufacturer of airworthy roll-on/roll-off modules for military cargo aircraft, with previous work spanning C-130 and C-17 platforms. The company has a broader partnership with Embraer that positions it as a core supplier of medical and transport mission modules for the C-390 across its growing international customer base.
