Embraer and Northrop Grumman Join Forces for KC-390 Tanker with Boom Refueling System
•February 20, 2026
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Why It Matters
The collaboration offers a cost‑effective, rapidly fielded tanker option that could reshape U.S. and allied aerial refueling logistics while challenging incumbent suppliers. It strengthens Embraer’s export momentum and diversifies Northrop’s air‑mobility portfolio.
Key Takeaways
- •KC‑390 to receive centerline refueling boom.
- •Partnership targets US Air Force and allied tanker needs.
- •Adds enhanced communications, survivability, and adaptable mission systems.
- •Addresses NGAS tanker capability gap for allied forces.
- •Boosts Embraer’s export pipeline and Indian MRO initiatives.
Pulse Analysis
The United States Air Force faces a pressing refueling shortfall as its aging KC‑135 and KC‑46 fleets near the end of their service lives. Recent RFI activity for the Next Generation Air‑refueling System (NGAS) underscores a strategic urgency to field versatile, fuel‑efficient platforms that can support a broad mix of aircraft. Existing options range from conventional tankers to experimental blended‑wing‑body concepts, but procurement timelines and cost constraints leave a capability gap that allies are also feeling.
Embraer’s KC‑390, already proven in transport and tactical roles, now gains a centerline boom developed with Northrop Grumman’s expertise. The “Multi‑Mission Tanker” concept blends the boom’s high‑speed refueling capability with the aircraft’s existing hose‑and‑drogue pods, creating a truly dual‑mode system. Enhanced communications suites, survivability upgrades, and modular mission packages further increase operational flexibility, positioning the KC‑390 as a rapid‑fielding solution for both U.S. and partner air forces seeking autonomous refueling assets.
Strategically, the partnership challenges Boeing’s dominance in the tanker market while expanding Embraer’s global footprint. The added boom capability could unlock new sales in Europe, the Middle East, and India, where Embraer is already pursuing transport contracts and MRO collaborations. For Northrop, the deal diversifies its air‑mobility portfolio beyond large‑scale BWB projects and unmanned concepts, offering a near‑term revenue stream and a platform to showcase its refueling technology. Collectively, the venture signals a shift toward more affordable, multi‑role tankers that align with allied defense budgets and future combat‑air logistics architectures.
Embraer and Northrop Grumman Join Forces for KC-390 Tanker with Boom Refueling System
Embraer and Northrop Grumman aim to offer advanced aerial refueling options amid a tanker capability gap in the U.S. and other Allied air forces
Published: February 19 2026
Brazilian aerospace major Embraer and Northrop Grumman announced a collaboration to further develop the KC‑390 Millennium tanker‑transport aircraft “to provide advanced tanking capabilities for the United States Air Force and allied nations.” The partnership will add a refueling boom on the aircraft’s centerline, complementing the two existing under‑wing hose‑and‑drogue pods, as shown in Embraer’s concept rendering.
The two firms will combine their technical expertise to develop what they describe as a KC‑390 Multi‑Mission Tanker. In addition to an “autonomous” aerial refueling boom, they list other features such as enhanced communications, situational awareness, survivability options, and adaptable mission systems.
“These improvements will expand the range of aircraft supported by KC‑390 refueling operations and broaden its mission scope in operational environments,” the joint release said.
The collaboration is part of Northrop’s “three‑pronged approach” to the U.S. Air Force’s pursuit of a “family of systems” for future refuelers, ranging from a large blended‑wing‑body concept being developed with JetZero to a small, uncrewed tanker, as reported by Aviation Week.
“We’re jointly developing advanced air mobility capabilities with @Embraer for US and allied nations.” – Northrop Grumman (Twitter, 19 Feb 2026)
Embraer is already expanding the KC‑390 portfolio with sales to Europe, conceptual electronic‑warfare and ISR variants, and a bid for the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program. The company also signed an MoU with Indian firm Hindalco to produce aerospace‑grade aluminum feedstocks and is working with the Mahindra Group to establish a Maintenance‑Repair‑Overhaul (MRO) capability for the C‑390 in India.
Northrop – Embraer collaboration on KC‑390
The release states the companies are “joining forces to combine their insights and experiences to rapidly advance the initiatives required to deliver a next‑generation air‑refueling system.” By sharing expertise in aircraft design, development, production, systems integration, and manufacturing, the partnership “sets the stage for the development of the KC‑390 Multi‑Mission Tanker for US and allied air forces and shapes the requirements for future aerial logistics architectures.”
Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems President and Corporate Vice President Tom Jones called the collaboration a “strategic investment” to “address the gap in advanced air mobility solutions globally.” He added, “We’re listening to our customers, particularly in allied nations who seek greater operational autonomy and efficiency, and we’re exploring new technologies that will increase the versatility of the proven KC‑390 platform and deliver that greater operational independence our customers need.”
“NEWS | Embraer and @northropgrumman Jointly Developing Advanced Air Mobility Capabilities for US and Allied Nations.” – Embraer (Twitter, 19 Feb 2026)
Embraer President and CEO Bosco da Costa Junior said: “Together, we will leverage the strengths of two leaders in the defense industry, with a focus on developing a boom refueling system for the KC‑390 Millennium so that we can bring the right capability to the U.S. Department of War and other allied nations. The KC‑390 is an operationally proven and cost‑effective platform that could quickly be added to the U.S. Air Force inventory.”
Current gaps in U.S. and Allied refueling capability
The U.S. Air Force has repeatedly revised its plans for the future refueling tanker program, the Next Generation Air‑refueling System (NGAS), since its inception in 2023. The service released a “controlled unclassified information” Request for Information (RFI) in August 2025 for NGAS but disclosed no specific requirements.
“美军部长弗兰克·肯德尔 宣布，加州初创公司 JetZero 已被选中在 2027 年之前建造一架具有 BWB 混合翼身 的 XBW‑1 验证机。BWB 的主要优势是燃油效率，其翼型机身可以让整个飞机产生升力，减少至少 30‑40% 燃油消耗。使用持续航空燃料 SAF，碳排放可下降 80% 以上。取消尾翼，顶部安装发动机.” – 极光 (Twitter, 17 Aug 2023)
In September 2025, DefenseScoop quoted Air Mobility Command chief Gen. John Lamontagne at the AFA Air, Space and Cyber conference: “Just about every option is on the table… looking at conventional tankers we know of today – something like a KC‑135 Stratotanker or a KC‑46 Pegasus – or something with a bunch of mission systems added to it, with defense systems, connectivity, intelligence and more.” He added that other possibilities include “a business jet, a blended‑wing body or a signature‑managed tanker.”
As of December 2025, the World Air Forces 2026 report listed the U.S. Air Force as operating 376 older KC‑135 Stratotankers and 95 Boeing KC‑46A Pegasus aircraft, the latter intended to replace the former. Boeing delivered 14 KC‑46s in 2025 and aims to deliver 19 in 2026.
The Air Force currently contracts for 183 tankers for U.S. and international customers, a number that may rise as the service plans to procure 75 additional aircraft to recapitalize the aging KC‑135 fleet.
“Some deliver flowers. We deliver tankers.” – Boeing Defense (Twitter, 13 Feb 2026)
All links and quoted tweets are retained for reference.
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