Embraer and Brazilian Air Force to study joint development of a new light military transport aircraft.

Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) signed on December 19 a memorandum of understanding which enables the study of the potential development of a new light military transport aircraft.

According to the agreement, Embraer will carry out market studies for the development of the new aircraft, while FAB will provide its expertise in operating aircraft in this segment.(Picture source: Paulo Whitaker)

The study seeks to identify alternatives and solutions to meet FAB’s operational needs, especially in the Amazon region and austere environments, including unpaved, short and damaged runways located in remote areas. Relying on Embraer's high level of innovation and technological capabilities, the study will also seek to explore new technologies to provide solutions to FAB's extreme demands, such as different system architectures, innovative platform solutions, and hybrid-electric propulsion, among others.

FAB, which in 2019 received its first units of the modern KC-390 Millennium, a multi-mission tactical military airlifter, seeks with this study to complement and modernize its transport capabilities in the smaller segments, in order to broadly and completely fulfill Brazil’s needs.

Based on a strong track record of cooperation, that unites Embraer's excellent execution capabilities and FAB's innovative and high-performance requirements, the study will also cover global market demand for the new aircraft.

According to the agreement, Embraer will carry out market studies for the development of the new aircraft, while FAB will provide its expertise in operating aircraft in this segment.

“We are confident that the expertise of the Brazilian Air Force will help us to establish the most appropriate requirements for this study, resulting in an extremely capable aircraft,” said Jackson Schneider, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “Embraer is more than up for the challenge. Our newest product, the C-390 Millennium multi-mission transport aircraft, is coming into operation, and this new project will be instrumental in maintaining and enhancing Embraer's engineering and technology capabilities to meet the challenging demands of FAB and other customers worldwide.”

“The purpose of this memorandum is to formalize Embraer's intention to develop a light transport aircraft to carry cargo and personnel. The Brazilian Air Force participation is mainly with regard to sharing expertise, based on projects that Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force have already developed in partnership, to meet the Air Force's needs over time”, said Lieutenant-Brigadier Antonio Carlos Moretti Bermudez, Brazilian Air Force Commander.

Lieutenant-Brigadier Antonio Carlos Moretti Bermudez, Brazilian Air Force Commander, and Jackson Schneider, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, during the signing ceremony (Picture source: Embraer)