What Happened
Brazilian Air Force and Saab Partner on In-Flight Refueling Capability
Saab and Embraer, in partnership with the Brazilian Air Force, have completed the certification flight test campaign for in-flight refueling between the F-39 Gripen E and the KC-390 Millennium. The campaign, known as Operation Samaúma, was carried out at Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto facility. The partners evaluated a range of speeds, altitudes, and flight configurations, validating the pairing of the Gripen E as a receiver and the KC-390 as a tanker. The successful test campaign confirms the strengths of the KC-390 as a tanker and highlights its ability to be converted from transport to tanker within a few hours. The Brazilian Air Force and Saab have established a strong industrial partnership, with the certification of the Gripen E and KC-390 as a compatible tanker-receiver pairing. (Credit: Embraer) This milestone was first reported by AeroTime.