Embraer Defense and Security has chosen Cobham, with headquarters in Dorset, England, to supply the wing-mounted aerial refueling pods for the KC-390 military airlifter and tanker jet.

"Embraer's innovative KC-390 airlifter and tanker jet requires stringent criteria to be met by its suppliers," said Eduardo Bonini Santos Pinto, Sr. Vice President Operations & COO, Embraer Defense and Security. "Cobham's vast aerospace experience and more than 75-year history bring proven expertise and products for the quality Embraer pursues."

The aerial refueling pods are sophisticated devices installed underneath the wings and allow fuel transfer from the KC-390 to the receiver aircraft during the air-to-air refueling operations. Fuel transfer is accomplished via a retractable hose, at the end of which is fitted a drogue and fuel coupling which provides the connection to the probe of the receiver aircraft. After refueling, the hose and drogue is rewound and stored in the pod. The whole operation is controlled and monitored by the tanker crew via control panels and video cameras.

Following the announcement, Iain Gibson, Vice President of Cobham Mission Equipment said: "Cobham Mission Equipment is delighted with the news of its selection by Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force to provide the wing-mounted air refueling pod solution for the KC-390. This represents a significant program to Cobham Mission Equipment, following a rigorous competitive tendering process serving to underline the company's position as the world leader in providing such systems. We are proud to be a supply partner to Embraer and are confident that our pods will provide an excellent air-to-air refueling capability for the KC-390."