Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) took a KC-390 Millennium for an extended stay in the United States in March.
The manufacturer announced the visit citing that the multi-role aircraft was showcased to a “diverse guest list of government authorities, military officials, prospects and partners.”
The event recognized by the Brazilian company took place between March 18th and 19th, at its facilities in Melbourne, Florida, where the Executive Aviation division’s activities are concentrated.
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The KC-390 aircraft FAB 2858 arrived in the United States on March 5th bound for Alexandria, Louisiana.
Several flights
From Alexandria International Airport, the military transport aircraft carried out several flights between March 7 and March 15, which would have involved military exercises.
From there the jet went to Melbourne to participate in the Embraer program, which also included the A-29 Super Tucano turboprop and the Phenom 300E and Praetor 600 executive jets.
It was the first time that the C-390 and A-29 were in Melbourne. Despite this, the Super Tucano has some units assembled at a facility in Jacksonville, which is about 280 km away.
“The A-29 Super Tucano has been an important part of our manufacturing footprint in Florida for over 10 years, and we see big opportunities for both aircraft in the market with perhaps the potential to bring the C-390 here, as well,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.
C-390 for the US Air Force?
The presence of the FAB’s KC-390 in the United States suggests that Embraer may have started an effort together with its partner L3 Harris to show the aircraft’s qualities to the US Air Force (USAF).
In September 2022, the two companies announced a partnership to offer the aircraft as an alternative for aerial refueling in tactical missions.
Called “Agile Tanker”, the proposed C-390 incorporates an aerial refueling boom, the standard used by the USAF.
Despite the offer, the US Department of Defense has not yet issued a formal requirement for such an aircraft.
Bosco Junior’s statement, however, shows that the Brazilian company is willing to produce the C-390 Millennium in North America, a common requirement in foreign projects selected by the United States armed forces.
