Embraer and L3Harris working on new tanker version of KC-390 with U.S. as potential customer

Brazil’s Embraer and U.S.-based L3Harris have teamed up to develop a more “agile” version of the KC-390 Millennium aircraft with improved tactical air refueling capabilities to meet the operational requirements of the United States Air Force (USAF).

Enhancements planned by both companies for the Brazilian aircraft under the Agile Tanker program include advanced mission systems such as advanced armament and an open and resilient mission system to support operations in contested logistical areas, as well as Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) communications.

In this way, the new KC-390 configuration will focus on cost-effective, distributed tactical refueling to enable better theater coverage and agile combat operations.

UNITED STATES

This partnership between the two companies is in response to U.S. needs for an optimized refueling platform.

“We are excited about the opportunity to combine Embraer’s state-of-the-art platform and systems with L3Harris’ mission-oriented solutions to meet the operational needs of the U.S. Air Force,” said Francisco Gomes Neto, president, and CEO of Embraer.

Christopher E. Kubasik, president and CEO of L3Harris said, “Partnering with Embraer to develop and integrate new capabilities into the KC-390 provides a cost-effective and rapidly deployable solution.

To comply with the Buy American Act, which requires federal agencies to procure domestically produced public assets, the parties are considering making the Agile Tanker program with final assembly in the U.S., followed by aircraft modernization at L3Harris’ aircraft modification center in Waco, Texas.

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