As part of the 47th edition of the Aerial Refueling Systems Advisory Group (ARSAG) conference, held from April 29 to May 1 in Las Vegas (USA), Embraer is presenting the capabilities of the KC-390 Millennium aircraft to representatives of the U.S. Armed Forces and allied nations. This participation represents a new opportunity for the Brazilian company to showcase the aircraft, which is currently operational in various air forces and undergoing global expansion.
During the event’s opening day, the President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, Bosco da Costa Junior, took part in the industry leaders’ panel alongside senior executives such as Richard J. Sullivan of Northrop Grumman. The panel was moderated by retired USAF Lieutenant General John B. Sams, Jr., who chairs the ARSAG board. Simultaneously, a KC-390 from the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) is on display at Harry Reid International Airport, giving attendees the chance to observe its features up close.
Regarding the event, Bosco da Costa Junior stated, “The KC-390 Millennium is designed to meet the most demanding operational scenarios, and we firmly believe it can meet the current needs of the United States Armed Forces and their allies.” He emphasized that the platform not only offers in-flight refueling capabilities but also aligns with modern concepts such as Agile Combat Employment.
Currently in operation with Brazil, Portugal, and Hungary, the KC-390 has been selected by the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Slovakia, and South Korea—cementing its position as the preferred choice for several NATO members and allied nations.
The KC-390’s presentation at ARSAG 2025 is especially significant following the termination of the partnership between Embraer and U.S. company L3Harris, announced in October 2024. This collaboration, initiated in September 2022, aimed to develop a version of the KC-390 equipped with a boom refueling system under the “Agile Tanker” concept, a tactical proposal tailored to the specific requirements of the United States Air Force (USAF).
As explained at the time by Bosco da Costa Jr., the CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, the split was due to a shift in L3Harris’s priorities. Despite the end of that partnership, Embraer remains committed to positioning the KC-390 as a platform capable of meeting the tactical needs of the United States and its allies.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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