Embraer and Saab, in close cooperation with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), have successfully concluded a critical certification flight test campaign for the in-flight refuelling of the Gripen E fighter by the KC-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft. This landmark achievement, known as Operation Samaúma by the FAB, marks a significant advancement for both the Brazilian aerospace industry and the global Gripen programme.
The comprehensive tests were conducted at Embraer’s facility in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo, home to the Gripen Flight Test Centre. The campaign was coordinated by the FAB’s Department of Aerospace Science and Technology (DCTA), uniting a dedicated team of engineers and test pilots from Saab, Embraer, and the FAB. The primary objectives were twofold: first, to qualify the Gripen E as a receiver aircraft, validating its performance, stability, and structural integrity during refuelling; and second, to verify full operational compatibility between the two aircraft across the KC-390’s entire flight envelope, including high-speed refuelling under both day and night conditions.
During the flights, a wide range of configurations, speeds, and altitudes were meticulously evaluated, confirming exceptional precision during the delicate refuelling operation. The success was greatly aided by both aircraft’s advanced fly-by-wire systems, with the KC-390 Millennium providing a favourable wake and the Gripen E demonstrating superb responsiveness and control. This seamless interaction not only validates the technical prowess of each platform but also dramatically enhances interoperability between these two latest-generation aircraft.
Walter Pinto Júnior, Chief Operations Officer of Embraer Defense & Security, highlighted the KC-390’s unmatched qualities as a tanker and its unique multi-mission capability, which allows for rapid conversion in a matter of hours, offering unbeatable flexibility to air forces worldwide. Mikael Olsson, Head of Flight Testing at Saab, emphasized that this achievement reflects a high level of integration between the teams and marks a new level of operational reach for the Gripen E, reinforcing the strategic partnership between Brazil and Sweden.
With the test campaign complete, the collected verification evidence will now be reviewed by the Swedish Military Aviation Authority (SE-MAA) as part of its certification process, to be followed by the Industrial Promotion and Coordination Institute (IFI) of the FAB. This successful campaign, involving approximately 40 military personnel, places Brazil among a select group of nations capable of developing, testing, and fully verifying complex in-flight refuelling systems with national technology.
