This article is based on an official press release from Northrop Grumman.

Northrop Grumman and Embraer Partner to Develop C-390 Tactical Tanker for U.S. Market

Northrop Grumman and Embraer have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly develop advanced mission capabilities for the C-390 Millennium Commercial-Aircraft. According to the official announcement, the partnership focuses on converting the Brazilian-made tactical transport jet into a next-generation tanker suitable for the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and allied nations.

The collaboration marks a significant strategic shift for both companies. For Embraer, it represents a renewed push into the lucrative U.S. defense market, while for Northrop Grumman, it signals a return to the aerial refueling sector. The companies stated that their primary technical objective is to develop an autonomous aerial refueling boom and integrate Northrop Grumman’s proprietary mission systems onto the C-390 platform.

While the companies utilized the term “Advanced Air Mobility” in their announcement, AirPro News notes that in this specific military context, the terminology refers to enhancing the logistical and refueling capabilities of the C-390 with autonomous systems, rather than the urban electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) sector often associated with the phrase.

Technical Innovations: The Autonomous Boom

The centerpiece of this Partnerships is the development of a rigid “flying boom” refueling system. Currently, the C-390 Millennium operates with a “probe-and-drogue” system, flexible hoses trailing from the wings, which is the standard refueling method for the U.S. Navy and many European air forces. However, the U.S. Air Force relies primarily on the rigid boom method to refuel its fleet of F-16s, F-35s, and other combat aircraft.

According to the press release, Northrop Grumman will lead the design and development of this new autonomous boom system. By automating the refueling process, the companies aim to reduce crew workload and improve safety during complex operations. Additionally, Northrop Grumman plans to install its advanced mission systems, which likely include communications, situational awareness, and survivability suites derived from its other combat platforms.

“We are exploring new technologies that will increase the versatility of the proven KC-390 platform and deliver the greater operational independence our customers need.”

, Tom Jones, President of Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems

Strategic Alignment with Agile Combat Employment

The partnership is explicitly targeting the requirements of the U.S. Air Force’s “Agile Combat Employment” (ACE) doctrine. This operational Strategy calls for dispersing military forces across small, remote, or austere airfields to complicate enemy targeting, rather than concentrating aircraft at large, vulnerable bases.

The Tactical Tanker Niche

Current U.S. strategic tankers, such as the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus and the legacy KC-135, require long, well-maintained runways. In contrast, the C-390 is designed to operate from shorter, unpaved strips. By equipping the C-390 with a boom, Northrop Grumman and Embraer are positioning the aircraft as a “tactical tanker” that can bring fuel closer to the fight in the Pacific theater or other contested regions.

“This collaboration brings together two defense industry leaders… to bring the right capability to the U.S. Air Force.”

, Bosco da Costa Junior, CEO of Embraer Defense & Security

AirPro News Analysis

This partnership creates a compelling “David vs. Goliath” dynamic in the aerial refueling market, which has been dominated by Boeing for decades. While the C-390 cannot match the total fuel capacity of the larger KC-46 or Airbus A330 MRTT, it does not attempt to. Instead, it carves out a specific niche for a smaller, more agile tanker capable of island-hopping operations that heavy tankers cannot perform.

For Northrop Grumman, this is a low-risk entry back into the tanker market. Rather than developing a new airframe from scratch, a costly and risky endeavor, they are applying their high-tech systems to a proven airframe that has already secured orders from NATO nations including Portugal, Hungary, and the Netherlands. If the autonomous boom technology proves successful, it could disrupt the current market by offering a cost-effective solution for the USAF’s Next-Generation Air-Refueling System (NGAS) interim requirements.

Sources

• Northrop Grumman