Frank Kendall said there would also be a pilot in the cockpit alongside him, but “hopefully” neither would be required to take control of the specially adapted aircraft.
Embraer’s E190-E2 and E195-E2 aircraft have received 120-minute extended twin-engine operations (ETOPS) approval, bolstering their business case in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
AIR6500 will deliver four advanced air-defence radars, manufactured by Canberra-based CEA Technologies, with the first delivery expected later this year.
Frank Kendall said there would also be a pilot in the cockpit alongside him, but “hopefully” neither would be required to take control of the specially adapted aircraft.