Embraer and the Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB, Brazilian air force) signed a memorandum of understanding on December 19 launching a joint development study for a new light military transport. The new aircraft would be optimized to carry cargo and personnel, especially in the Amazon region and austere environments, including operations from unpaved, short and damaged runways located in remote areas.
The FAB received the first examples of the Embraer C-390 Millennium (formerly the KC-390) multi-mission tactical military airlifter in 2019, and is now turning its attention to modernizing its light/medium transport capabilities. The new aircraft could replace the Brazilian air force’s in-service fleet of about 68 EMB-110s (C-95s), some of which are now more than 40 years old, and perhaps the Cessna 208 Caravans (C-98, 31 in service) and EMB-120 (C-97, 19 in service).
The study will examine a range of possible alternative solutions to meet FAB operational requirements and will explore a variety of new technologies, system architectures, innovative platform solutions, and perhaps even hybrid-electric propulsion, which would be a first for a military aircraft. The study will also assess likely global demand for the new aircraft.
Jackson Schneider, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security said, “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 the FAB and other customers worldwide.”
While Embraer will leverage its technological expertise, market knowledge and innovation, the FAB will contribute a great deal of invaluable knowledge and experience gained operating aircraft in this market segment. The study marks the latest in a series of collaborative programs that Embraer has undertaken with the FAB, including the EMB-110 Bandeirante, the EMB-312/314 Tucano, the R-99, and the KC-390.
Lieutenant-Brigadier Antonio Carlos Moretti Bermudez, FAB Commander, explained, “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.”
Schneider added that Embraer was “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.”
The new product study will be the first to be undertaken by Embraer Defense & Security since the company’s commercial jet airliner business was effectively taken over by Boeing. Although Embraer’s executive jet and defense unit remained outside the joint venture, the two companies announced a further joint venture, Boeing Embraer–Defense, on November 18, with Embraer having a 51 percent share. The new JV was tasked with promoting and marketing the C-390 Millennium tactical transport aircraft.
Embraer is more reliant than ever on defense, and with the KC-390 and A-29 having moved from development to production, a new design and development program is urgently needed. The new study may demonstrate that Embraer is determined to maintain an independent capability, and that it is not planning to become simply a Boeing subsidiary.