Embraer, Saab and the Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB) have successfully completed a flight test campaign that demonstrated the in-flight refuelling capability of the F-39E Gripen using Embraer’s KC-390 Millennium tanker configuration.
The trials took place at Embraer’s Flight Test Centre in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo, where teams of test engineers and test pilots evaluated a wide range of flight configurations, speeds and altitudes. According to the companies involved, the campaign included day and night operations as well as high-speed refuelling scenarios, all intended to qualify the Gripen E as a receiver aircraft and to validate its structural integrity and handling during contact and fuel transfer.
Engineers highlighted the role of advanced fly-by-wire flight controls on both aircraft. Embraer says the KC-390 produced a favourable aerodynamic wake for close formation work while the Gripen E showed a high degree of control responsiveness, contributing to the smooth execution of the manoeuvres.
“The tests were designed first to qualify the F-39E Gripen as a receiver, confirming stability and structural integrity,” company and military sources said. The second objective was to confirm full compatibility across the KC-390’s flight envelope, ensuring safe refuelling both day and night and at higher speeds. The teams reported that the campaign’s positive outcome demonstrates strong interoperability between two modern, high-technology platforms.
Next steps
As a next step in the certification sequence, the Swedish Military Aviation Authority (SE-MAA) will review the test evidence on the Gripen E’s aerial refuelling capability as part of its certification process. Following that review, the FAB will continue with its internal validation and operational integration activities.
Embraer’s leadership framed the result as a milestone for the KC-390’s multimission flexibility.
“This important milestone confirms the unmatched qualities of the KC-390 as a refuelling aircraft and further strengthens our partnership with Saab and the Brazilian Air Force. In addition, the unique multi-mission capability offered by the KC-390, which allows the aircraft to be converted into a tanker in a matter of hours, provides unparalleled flexibility for Air Forces around the world.”
– declared Walter Pinto Júnior, Vice President of Operations at Embraer Defense & Security.
A video released alongside the announcement shows segments of the formation flight and contact phases between the KC-390 and the Gripen, illustrating the close-quarters handling and the precision required for safe fuel transfer.
The successful campaign adds a new operational capability to the FAB’s inventory and strengthens the partnership between Embraer and Saab as Brazil moves forward with integrating the Gripen E into front-line service.
Source: Embraer
