Cobham has been selected to develop and supply the wing aerial refuelling pod for the KC-390 tanker aircraft under development by Brazil’s Embraer and has received an order with an initial contract value in excess of $60 million. Air refuelling operations will be a key tactical role of the KC-390 following its introduction into service, scheduled to commence in 2015.

Selection by Embraer follows a comprehensive competitive process and reflects Cobham’s unrivalled experience in the design, development and delivery of air refuelling systems. Cobham will supply Embraer with one of its state-of-the-art air refuelling pods, specially modified to fit the KC-390. The system architecture will be tailored to meet the aircraft’s air-to-air refuelling capability requirements, and enable refuelling of a range of fixed and rotarywing aircraft.

Embraer’s launch customer for the KC-390 is the Brazilian Air Force and it expects to secure significant additional orders from export customers.

Following the selection announcement, Iain Gibson, Vice President of Cobham Mission Equipment, said: “Cobham Mission Equipment is delighted with its selection by Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force to provide the wing air refuelling pod solution for the KC-390 following a rigorous competitive tendering process. This is an important and significant programme with a new customer and provides a platform for Cobham to further grow its business in Brazil. It also serves to underline Cobham’s position as the world leader in providing air-to-air flight refuelling. We are confident that the wing pod solution for the KC-390, the basis of which has been designed and qualified to the latest and most stringent military requirements, will provide an optimum solution for the KC-390.”