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The companies have agreed to collaborate on the development of new tactical aerial refuelling capability.
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L3Harris Technologies and Embraer SA have entered into a partnership to develop an “Agile Tanker” — a tactical aerial refuelling solution to meet the US Air Force’s evolving operational requirements, particularly in contested logistics environments.
This involves work to enhance Embraer’s KC-390 Millennium tactical tanker aircraft, which include the addition of advanced boom operations and mission systems.
These enhancements are expected to support agile basing and sustainment for operations in contested areas, as well as resilient communications supporting joint all-domain command and control (JADC2) requirements.
“US Air Force strategic planners have stated agile combat employment will require refuelling platforms optimised to support a disaggregated approach to air dominance in contested logistics environments,” Christopher E Kubasik, chair and CEO, L3Harris, said.
“Collaborating with Embraer to develop and integrate new capabilities to the multi-mission KC-390 provides a cost-effective, fast-to-field solution that embodies our trusted disruptor approach.”
KC-390 Millennium platforms are capable of refuelling aircraft with a variable speed drogue, receiving fuel, and taking off and landing from short and improvised runways, allowing for greater mission area coverage.
“We continue seeking meaningful and strategic partnerships that generate new developments and expand the KC-390 Millennium’s market reach,” Francisco Gomes Neto, president and CEO of Embraer, said.
“Our aircraft is capturing the attention of Air Forces around the world, and we’re thrilled by this opportunity to combine Embraer’s state-of-the-art platform and systems with L3Harris’ mission-driven solutions to deliver on the US Air Force’s operational imperatives.”
[Related: L3Harris tapped to develop advanced missile tracking technology]
