Embraer in Talks with Northrop Grumman to Pitch C-390 to U.S. Air Force
Brazilian aircraft maker aims to expand its footprint in the U.S. defense market through a new strategic alliance.
Embraer has confirmed it is in early-stage discussions with Northrop Grumman to form a potential strategic partnership focused on promoting and developing a customized variant of the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft for the U.S. armed forces—a domain long dominated by domestically built platforms.
Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, told FlightGlobal that the talks are “in an initial phase.” The selection of Northrop Grumman is no coincidence; da Costa Junior emphasized the "very good relationship" between the companies and highlighted Northrop’s strengths in systems development, integration, and aerial refueling technology. The move represents a calculated strategy by Embraer to align the C-390 with U.S. military requirements and the domestic defense industrial base.
Embraer is targeting the U.S. Air Force (USAF), which operates a large and aging fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft. As part of its U.S. campaign, a KC-390 from the Brazilian Air Force recently toured several American military bases, including stops in Nevada, Florida, and t Base Andrews in Maryland, showcasing its capabilities.
Although the C-390 Millennium already includes a significant number of U.S.-made components—complying with the Buy American Act—Embraer aims to further entrench its presence in the U.S. market. "We want to become even more of an American solution for the U.S. and create thousands of high-tech jobs," said da Costa Junior. Establishing a final assembly or production line in the U.S. is seen as a key step to leveling the playing field.
C-390 USAF Overview
• Aircraft: Embraer C-390 Millennium / KC-390 (aerial refueling variant)
• Potential Partners: Embraer (OEM), Northrop Grumman (U.S. integration and systems)
• Target Market: U.S. Department of Defense, primarily the Air Force (USAF)
• Capabilities: Carries up to 26 tons, cruise speed of 470 knots (Mach 0.80), and can operate from unprepared runways
The talks with Northrop Grumman come after the dissolution of a previous agreement with L3Harris in 2023, which aimed to adapt the KC-390 into an Agile Tanker variant. Despite that setback, Embraer continues to tailor the platform for the USAF, potentially including the development of a boom refueling system to complement the current hose-and-drogue setup.
The C-390 Millennium has gained significant traction internationally, with confirmed orders from Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden, and South Korea—many of them NATO . Its growing export success, highlighted at events like the Paris Air Show and ARSAG Conference, strengthens its credibility as a modern, efficient competitor to the long-serving C-130J Super Hercules.
The USAF’s interest in new tactical airlift platforms is part of a broader effort to modernize its fleet and explore future capabilities, potentially through programs like the Next Generation Airlift System (NGAS).
AUTOR
Desde 2017, haciendo periodismo aeronáutico. Award-Winning Journalist: Ganador de la edición 2023 de "Periodismo de Altura", otorgado por ALTA. Facts don't care about your feelings.
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