Boeing, Embraer Sign KC-390 Agreement

Boeing and Embraer have announced an agreement to collaborate on the KC-390 aircraft programme. Under this agreement, Boeing and Embraer will share some specific technical knowledge and evaluate markets where they may join their sales efforts for medium-lift military transport opportunities. The companies made the announcement 26 June 2012.

The KC-390 collaboration is part of a broader agreement that Boeing and Embraer signed in April. The companies previously announced that they are exploring ways to cooperate in commercial airplane efficiency and safety, research and technology, and sustainable aviation biofuels. 


This newest agreement will see Boeing and Embraer conduct a joint market assessment for the medium-lift military transport market and analyse business collaboration models. The market assessment includes potential customers that had not been considered in the initial market prospects for the KC-390. 

The KC-390 is a Brazilian Air Force project for which Embraer signed the development contract in April 2009. It is the biggest aircraft to be manufactured by the Brazilian aerospace industry and will set ‘new standards’ in the medium-lift market in terms of performance, cargo capacity, flexibility, and life cycle costs.