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Aerospace giants Embraer, Northrop Grumman to partner on KC-390 tanker aircraft
Embraer and Northrop Grumman aim to enhance KC-390 with autonomous refueling and upgraded systems to serve U.S. allies and boost global military mobility.
- On Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, Embraer and Northrop Grumman signed a memorandum of understanding to study adding an autonomous refueling boom and other mission systems to the KC-390 Millennium.
- Because many allied fighters require boom refueling, Embraer says the KC-390 Millennium upgrade aims to refuel F-35s, boosting its U.S. market bid and possible dedicated facility.
- Northrop's conceptual art shows a boom on the Millennium, and executives say a demonstration could be in flow, single-digit years.
- Northrop cautioned that development costs mean an order from the U.S. Air Force would be crucial to justify the business case.
- Already in service with Brazil, Portugal and Hungary, the KC-390 Millennium is being showcased on an international demonstration tour, including U.S. stops last year, with orders from multiple nations, Axios reported.
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21 Articles
21 Articles
brazilian company highlighted that this collaboration paves the way for the development of the KC-390 Multi-Mission Tanker
·Brazil
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Northrop and Embraer join forces for KC-390 refueling boom
·Washington, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources21
Leaning Left1Leaning Right3Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Right
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources lean Right
60% Right
L 20%
C 20%
R 60%
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