Embraer is preparing to establish a KC-390 Millennium assembly line in the United States as part of its push to compete for future US Air Force tanker contracts. The Brazilian manufacturer confirmed it has developed detailed site plans at multiple potential locations across the country, which would allow for local assembly and supply of the twin-jet transport.
A US production line would align the aircraft with domestic sourcing requirements. The initiative comes as Embraer positions the KC-390 as a contender for the Air Force’s Next Generation Air Refueling System (NGAS) program, a long-term effort to field a more survivable tanker in the 2030s.
Embraer Plans KC-390 Assembly Line In The US To Compete For Air Force Contracts
As reported by FlightGlobal, Embraer Defense & Security Chief Commercial Officer Frederico Lemos said the company is “100% committed [to] invest more in the US.” Local assembly in the United States would make the multi-role tanker compliant with the Buy American Act, which generally requires the federal government to source its procurement needs domestically. The KC-390 is currently assembled at Embraer’s industrial facility in Gavião Peixoto, Brazil.
It already incorporates a substantial amount of US-manufactured components. According to the planemaker, around 59 US aerospace firms supply parts and systems for the KC-390, accounting for more than half of its total purchased materials. These include major companies such as Collins Aerospace, L3Harris, Raytheon, BAE Systems, and propulsion consortium International Aero Engines, which provides the aircraft’s twin V2500 turbofans.
KC-390 Is Positioned As A Candidate For USAF’s Next-Generation Tanker
Furthermore, the United States Air Force (USAF) is currently replacing its aging fleet of Boeing KC-135 tankers with the newer KC-46A. Indeed, this transition addresses the life-cycle challenges of the decades-old Stratotanker; the service also requires a new platform capable of operating in contested environments. This next step is being pursued under the NGAS program, which aims to deliver a “survivable tanker” that can withstand modern threats.
NGAS was initially envisioned as a purpose-built stealth aircraft, likely featuring a blended-wing-body configuration, when the program launched in 2023. However, earlier this year, the Air Force scaled back from that concept amid concerns about cost and lengthy development timelines. According to FlightGlobal, officials are now exploring a “systems-based approach” that could use electronic warfare to conceal conventional aircraft, alongside advanced air-superiority assets such as uncrewed fighters and future sixth-generation jets.
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Specification |
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|---|---|
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Length |
115 feet 5 inches (35.20 meters) |
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Height |
38 feet 10 inches (11.84 meters) |
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Wingspan |
115 feet (35.05 meters) |
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Fuel Capacity (wing tanks, usable) |
52,690 lb (23.9 metric tons) |
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Maximum Payload (Concentrated) |
57,320 lb (26 metric tons) |
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Maximum Payload (Distributed) |
50,706 lb (23 metric tons) |
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Range with 26 metric tons (57,320 lb) |
1,080 nautical miles |
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Range with 23 metric tons (50,700 lb) |
1,470 nautical miles |
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Engines |
IAE V2500-E5 engines with 31,330 lb of takeoff thrust |
At the recent Air & Space Forces Association conference, Air Mobility Command chief General John Lamontagne said that “just about every option is on the table.” The Air Force is considering a range of possibilities, from a clean-sheet stealth tanker to a converted business jet or a “signature-managed” conventional aircraft.
And, among the potential candidates is a US-specific variant of Embraer’s KC-390 Millennium. “We see that the 390 can play a role for that mission,” said Lemos. “It already has a very high level of survivability. But considering what we are seeing in terms of threats, we can complement it with other systems if the US Air Force sees that additional capabilities are required.”
Embraer Will Face Major Competition In Next-Gen Tanker Bid
Embraer plans to formally respond to the US Air Force’s recent Request for Information (RFI) for the Next Generation Air Refueling System by October 24. The submission will outline how a US-built KC-390 variant could meet the service’s requirements for a future refueling platform and would likely include additional electronic warfare systems and other enhancements aimed at further improving survivability.
The KC-390 is already in service or on order with 11 operators worldwide, including several European and Asian air forces. Embraer hopes it will strengthen its case in the United States. However, the company will face strong competition from established defense manufacturers such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Airbus.
Besides, systems integrators, including L3Harris and Sierra Nevada, which have extensive experience converting business jets into military platforms, may also enter the competition. For Embraer, establishing local assembly and supply operations in the US is a strategic step to competing on equal footing with domestic bidders.
