Embraer and L3T team up on 'agile' tanker for USAF consideration
Concept art of the newly designed KC-390 'agile' tanker on offer to the US Air Force and under development by Embraer and L3Harris Technologies (Photo: Embraer)
Embraer and L3Harris Technologies have formed a partnership to develop an 'agile' tanker with USAF requirements in mind.
Embraer and L3Harris Technologies are to collaborate on developing a KC-390 Millennium based 'agile' tanker designed to meet future refueling needs of the US Air Force (USAF).
In a 19 September statement, Embraer also said that the aircraft would also be capable of supporting joint force refueling requirements, including contested logistics environments.
The two companies signed an agreement to expand capabilities of the KC-390, mainly covering 'advanced boom operations and mission systems to support agile basing and sustainment for operations in contested areas, and resilient communications supporting JADC2 requirements,' noted Embraer.
The changes are in addition to the tanker being able to use a variable speed drogue, receive fuel, and to take off and land from improvised runways.
'To support the Buy American Act requirements, the parties are studying the Agile Tanker program production with final assembly in the U.S., followed by aircraft modernization and missionization at the L3Harris’ Waco, Texas, aircraft modification center,' added Embraer.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Defence Notes
-
![Amazon Project Kuiper offers network-centric approach to sovereignty of space systems (Studio)]()
Amazon Project Kuiper offers network-centric approach to sovereignty of space systems (Studio)
Shephard's Alix Valenti interviewed Project Kuiper's Don Brown at DSEI 2025, discussing the company's innovative approach to sovereignty of space communications systems, which focuses on being able to control the network rather than ownership of satellite constellations.
-
![Amazon Project Kuiper emphasises user-friendly solutions for multi-domain connectivity (Studio)]()
Amazon Project Kuiper emphasises user-friendly solutions for multi-domain connectivity (Studio)
At DSEI 2025, Shephard's Alix Valenti spoke to Project Kuiper's Rich Pang about the importance of enabling seamless communication between allied forces such as NATO members in challenging operational environments.
-
![Amazon Project Kuiper teams up with GRC to offer governments unprecedented capabilities (Studio)]()
Amazon Project Kuiper teams up with GRC to offer governments unprecedented capabilities (Studio)
At DSEI 2025, Amazon Project Kuiper's Don Brown and GRC's Steve Slater talked to Shephard's Alix Valenti about how their partnership can offer unique capabilities in defence SATCOM to government customers, with a focus on assurance, security and choice.
-
![DSEI 2025: Raytheon UK CEO highlights RTX skills, innovation and UK footprint]()
DSEI 2025: Raytheon UK CEO highlights RTX skills, innovation and UK footprint
At DSEI 2025, James Gray, Managing Director and CEO of Raytheon UK (part of RTX), outlines the company’s century-long presence in the UK and its evolving role across defence, aerospace, cyber, and training domains.
-
![Israel defence ministry pushes ambitious spending plans for tanks, drones and KC-46 aircraft]()
Israel defence ministry pushes ambitious spending plans for tanks, drones and KC-46 aircraft
The procurement and acceleration production plans – some of which still await approval – across the air and land domains will aim to strengthen the operational needs of the Israel Defense Forces.
-
![US reforms its defence acquisition system to focus on commercial capabilities]()
US reforms its defence acquisition system to focus on commercial capabilities
This shift is planned to accelerate the procurement and fielding of capabilities. As part of this strategy, the US also intends modernise its regulations in an attempt to change its bureaucratic and risk-averse culture.
