Embraer is making significant strides to penetrate the US defense market with its C-390 Millennium, a twin-engine jet designed to compete directly with Lockheed Martin's C-130 Hercules, which has been a staple in military aviation for over 70 years with more than 1,700 units sold [8681004c]. The Brazilian manufacturer has already secured 40 firm orders for the C-390, with nearly half of these coming from the Brazilian Air Force, showcasing a strong initial interest in the aircraft's capabilities [8681004c].
In a strategic move to bolster its position, Embraer partnered with L3 Harris in September 2022 to offer the 'Agile Tanker' variant to the United States Air Force (USAF). This collaboration aims to enhance the operational flexibility and capabilities of the USAF's fleet [8681004c]. To further support its market entry, Embraer has enlisted the consulting firm Oliver Wyman as of July 2024, signaling a serious commitment to understanding and navigating the complexities of the US defense landscape [8681004c].
Additionally, Embraer is exploring the possibility of merging with or acquiring a US defense firm to overcome potential barriers to entry. This approach is reminiscent of Pilatus's successful strategy with the AT-6 Texan II, which gained traction in the US market [8681004c]. Despite previous setbacks, such as the USAF not adopting the A-29 Super Tucano, Embraer remains optimistic about the C-390's potential to provide agility and modern capabilities to the USAF's fleet, according to Bosco Costa Jr., an executive at the company [8681004c].