What Happened
Embraer's KC-390 Offers Alternative to Large Strategic Tankers
The US military is seeking solutions to the challenges of tanker operations in the Indo-Pacific, where large tankers may be vulnerable to missile attacks on key bases. Embraer’s KC-390 multimission tanker/transport aircraft offers a potential alternative, with its ability to operate from a wider range of airfields and provide a more distributed refueling capability. The aircraft’s design and capabilities align with the Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment concept, which emphasizes the importance of dispersing forces across a network of smaller operating locations. This development was first reported by Breaking Defense.