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

This article is based on an official report from the Philippine News Agency and additional data on recent maritime incidents.

Philippine Coast Guard Secures US Aircraft and Historic RIMPAC Role Following Maritime Tragedies

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has formally agreed to acquire three Beechcraft King Air turboprop Military-Aircraft from the United States, a move aimed at drastically improving the nation’s Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA). The agreement, finalized on February 16, 2026, comes as the agency grapples with the aftermath of two fatal maritime disasters earlier this year.

According to an official report by the Philippine News Agency (PNA), the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) was signed in Makati City by PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan and John Noh, the United States Assistant Secretary of War for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs. The Acquisitions is part of a broader effort to modernize the PCG’s aerial surveillance and search and rescue (SAR) capabilities.

In a simultaneous development, officials announced that the PCG will participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise scheduled for June and July 2026. This marks a significant milestone, as the PCG will be the first foreign coast guard service to join the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise since its inception.

Bolstering Aerial Surveillance Capabilities

The acquisition of the three Beechcraft King Air aircraft is designed to extend the patrol coverage of the PCG within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). These twin-turboprop planes are widely recognized for their endurance and suitability for maritime patrol missions (MPA).

During the signing ceremony, Admiral Gavan highlighted the operational necessity of these assets. The aircraft are expected to improve response times for distress calls, a critical capability gap identified during recent operations. The agreement also reinforces the United States’ commitment to supporting the modernization of the PCG.

In addition to the hardware, the bilateral meeting confirmed the implementation of the “Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System Program” (SAROPS). This US-supported initiative utilizes advanced environmental modeling to predict the location of persons or vessels in distress, aiming to increase the success rate of rescue operations.

Context: Response to Recent Maritime Disasters

The urgency of this modernization drive is underscored by two major maritime incidents that occurred in Philippine waters in late January 2026. These tragedies exposed limitations in the country’s current SAR infrastructure.

The M/V Devon Bay Capsizing

On January 23, 2026, the Singaporean-flagged bulk carrier M/V Devon Bay capsized in the West Philippine Sea near Scarborough Shoal. Carrying 55,000 tons of nickel ore, the vessel reportedly suffered from cargo liquefaction during bad weather. The incident resulted in two confirmed deaths and four missing crew members. While the PCG vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua received the survivors, the initial rescue was conducted by the China Coast Guard, highlighting the complex operational environment in the region.

The M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 Tragedy

Just three days later, on January 26, 2026, the passenger ferry M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 sank off Basilan province in the Bangsamoro region. Investigations suggest overloading and manifest discrepancies contributed to the disaster. As of February 17, 2026, authorities have confirmed 62 deaths, with 17 individuals still missing. The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has since ordered stricter safety compliance and supervised emergency drills for shipping lines.

AirPro News Analysis

The timing of the Beechcraft King Air acquisition suggests a strategic pivot for the Philippine Coast Guard, moving from a purely constabulary force to one with significant projection capabilities. However, the contrast between acquiring high-tech surveillance platforms and the root causes of the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 sinking, basic overloading and safety enforcement failures, remains stark. While advanced aircraft can locate sinking vessels faster, preventing such incidents requires regulatory rigor on the ground.

Furthermore, the presence of John Noh, identified in reports as the “Assistant Secretary of War,” signals a potential shift in US nomenclature or defense posture in the Indo-Pacific region for 2026. The inclusion of the PCG in RIMPAC 2026 further integrates the agency into the broader US-led security architecture, blurring the traditional lines between civilian maritime law enforcement and naval defense.

Frequently Asked Questions

What aircraft did the PCG acquire?
The PCG acquired three Beechcraft King Air turboprop aircraft, known for their utility in maritime patrol and surveillance.

When is RIMPAC 2026?
The Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise will take place in June and July 2026.

Who signed the agreement?
The agreement was signed by PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan and US Assistant Secretary of War for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs John Noh.

Sources

• Philippine News Agency (PNA)

This article is based on an official press release from Shield AI.

Shield AI Selected as Mission Autonomy Provider for U.S. Air Force CCA Program

The U.S. Air Force has officially selected Shield AI to provide mission autonomy software for its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. This selection marks a significant milestone in the Department of Defense’s effort to field autonomous “loyal wingmen” capable of operating alongside crewed fighters. According to the company’s announcement, Shield AI will support the Technology Maturity and Risk Reduction (TMRR) phase of the program.

The agreement integrates Shield AI’s “Hivemind” AI pilot onto the YFQ-44A “Fury” drone, an autonomous aircraft developed by Anduril Industries. This pairing represents one half of the Air Force’s initial “ecosystem” approach for the CCA program, placing a venture-backed defense technology firm in a direct peer role with established industry giants. Flight demonstrations for the integrated system are expected to take place in the coming months.

Decoupling Software from Hardware

A central pillar of the CCA program is the Air Force’s strategic decision to separate the airframe (the “body”) from the autonomy software (the “brain”). By utilizing the government-owned Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (A-GRA), the service aims to avoid vendor lock-in and ensure modularity across different platforms.

Under the current Increment 1 structure, two primary teams are advancing toward flight testing:

• Team 1: Shield AI (Autonomy) integrated with Anduril Industries’ YFQ-44A “Fury.”
• Team 2: Collins Aerospace (Autonomy) integrated with General Atomics’ YFQ-42A.

According to U.S. Air-Forces officials, this modular approach allows the service to validate that autonomy software from one vendor can function on an airframe built by another. Col. Timothy Helfrich, Senior Materiel Leader for the Advanced Aircraft Division, emphasized the importance of this architecture in recent statements.

“The goal is to ensure we are not locked into a single solution, allowing the best algorithms to be deployed rapidly across the fleet.”

Col. Timothy Helfrich, U.S. Air Force

“Hivemind” and the Future of Air Combat

Shield AI describes its “Hivemind” technology as an AI pilot rather than a traditional autopilot. While standard systems follow pre-programmed waypoints, Hivemind is designed to sense the environment, make dynamic decisions, and execute maneuvers without continuous human input or GPS connectivity.

The software’s capabilities include:

• Dynamic Decision Making: The ability to react to pop-up threats and reroute autonomously.
• GPS-Denied Operation: Navigation and combat functionality in environments where communications are jammed.
• Platform Agnostic Design: The software has previously been tested on platforms such as the F-16 (via DARPA’s ACE program), the V-BAT VTOL drone, and the MQ-20 Avenger.

In the company’s press release, Shield AI CEO Gary Steele highlighted the urgency of the program.

“The Air Force is moving with urgency to explore how autonomy can reshape air combat… We will work relentlessly to deliver and to help advance the next era of airpower.”

Gary Steele, CEO of Shield AI

AirPro News Analysis: The Rise of Defense Tech Startups

The selection of Shield AI and Anduril Industries for a major program of record signals a shift in the defense procurement landscape. Historically, such complex integration contracts were the exclusive domain of “Prime” contractors like Lockheed Martin or Northrop Grumman. By selecting a team composed entirely of “disruptor” companies (Shield AI and Anduril) to compete alongside traditional heavyweights (Collins Aerospace and General Atomics), the Air Force is validating the maturity of Silicon Valley-style defense tech.

This move suggests that the Pentagon is serious about prioritizing speed and software capability over traditional hardware legacy. If Shield AI’s Hivemind proves successful in the upcoming flight tests, it could set a precedent for how future software-defined warfare systems are acquired, moving the industry toward a model where software updates determine lethality rather than new airframes.

Program Timeline and Next Steps

The CCA program is moving rapidly toward critical milestones. With General Atomics and Anduril selected to build the Increment 1 airframes in 2024, the focus has now shifted to system integration and flight testing.

Key upcoming dates include:

• Spring 2026: Expected flight demonstrations of the Anduril YFQ-44A equipped with Shield AI’s autonomy.
• FY 2026: A final production decision for Increment 1 is anticipated later this fiscal year.
• Late 2020s: The Air Force targets the operational fielding of the first batch of Collaborative Combat Aircraft.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program?
The CCA program is a U.S. Air Force initiative to develop high-performance, autonomous unmanned aircraft that fly alongside crewed fighters like the F-35 and the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) platform to increase combat mass.

What is the difference between Shield AI and Anduril in this program?
Anduril Industries is manufacturing the physical aircraft (the YFQ-44A “Fury”), while Shield AI is providing the mission autonomy software (the “brain”) that pilots the aircraft.

What is A-GRA?
The Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (A-GRA) is a government-owned standard that ensures software and hardware from different vendors can work together, preventing vendor lock-in.

Sources

• Shield AI Press Release