Northrop Grumman, Embraer Advance KC-390 Tanker Development

In the military air mobility and aerial refueling systems sectors, Northrop Grumman Corporation and Embraer are jointly investing in the evolution of the KC-390 Millennium into a multi-mission tanker tailored to U.S. and allied operational requirements. The collaboration centers on integrating advanced refueling, communications and mission capabilities into the existing medium airlift platform.

Expanding the KC-390 into a Multi-Mission Tanker
The initiative aims to enhance the KC-390 with an advanced autonomous aerial refueling boom system, enabling compatibility with a broader range of receiver aircraft compared to hose-and-drogue-only configurations. Boom refueling capability is particularly relevant for U.S. Air Force operations, where rigid-boom systems are standard for many fixed-wing platforms.

Additional upgrades under development include:

These enhancements are intended to support agile combat employment concepts, where aircraft operate from distributed and potentially austere locations.

Integration of Aerospace and Systems Expertise
The partnership combines Embraer’s experience in aircraft design, production and sustainment of the KC-390 platform with Northrop Grumman’s expertise in systems integration, autonomous technologies and defense mission systems.

The objective is to accelerate development of a next-generation air-refueling system while shaping requirements for future aerial logistics architectures. By leveraging existing production infrastructure and an operational aircraft platform, the companies aim to reduce development timelines compared to clean-sheet tanker programs.

Operational Context: Agile Combat Employment
Modern air forces increasingly emphasize dispersed operations and rapid deployment. Agile combat employment requires aircraft capable of performing multiple roles—transport, tanker and mission support—while operating with limited ground infrastructure.

The KC-390, originally designed as a multi-mission medium airlift aircraft, already supports cargo transport, medical evacuation and aerial refueling via hose-and-drogue systems. The addition of a boom refueling capability would expand interoperability with U.S. and NATO aircraft fleets and increase mission flexibility.

Platform Characteristics
The KC-390 Millennium is a twin-engine jet aircraft designed for medium airlift and tanker roles. It was developed to operate in demanding environments and support a range of mission profiles, including:

By integrating advanced autonomous refueling and survivability systems, the joint development effort seeks to position the KC-390 as a scalable tanker solution for U.S. and allied air forces requiring adaptable and interoperable air mobility platforms.

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