Embraer, GMV from Portugal sign MoU for tech dev't

LISBON, Portugal -– Embraer and GMV from Portugal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on September 22 for a cooperation in the field of systems development and integration for defense products and services, mainly regarding the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft program.

The MoU also includes a potential joint research, technology development, and innovation process, intending to extend and increase long-term business relations between the companies during the concept, design, development, production, and support phases.

New businesses, development and integration of navigation systems, Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) development, and software development are also under discussion between the two companies, which intend to exchange and disclose certain information regarding their experiences, capabilities, products, systems, and services. In the specific area of R&D focused on IMA, the relationship has been ongoing for more than 15 years, including projects under the scope of the European Union’s research framework.

Embraer has a long-term strategic commitment with Portugal in the development of its aerospace and defense ecosystem. It remains the country where the company continues its most significant industrial capacity investment outside of Brazil.

The most recent example has been an investment of 74 million euros in OGMA S.A., allowing the company to become certified for the maintenance of Pratt & Whitney's GTF engines used by the new generation of commercial aircraft.

This agreement will create 300 jobs and could triple the annual turnover of OGMA to 600 million euros. It also reflects Embraer’s interest in expanding the scope of its activities in Portugal thus, adding value to the country’s economy.

In line with this strategy, several initiatives were put in place earlier in the year, including the signing of MOU with idD Portugal Defense and ETI for cooperation in technology development in the respective areas of expertise.

With the projects under development, Embraer will work with its partners to address strategic priorities of Portugal in Defense, including advanced training, development of dual-use technologies and digitization transformation.

Meanwhile, Embraer's C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft unveiled at the NATO Days event, September 17 to 18 in Ostrava, Czech Republic with also the disclosure of Embraer’s complete portfolio for the defense and security markets with innovative products and solutions that are present in more than 60 countries.

Recently, Embraer successfully completed flight testing of the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS II) certification campaign, which provides the C-390 Millennium with the required capability to perform firefighting missions.

According to Embraer, the C-390 Millennium and its aerial refueling configuration, the KC-390, are the new generation of multi-mission military transport delivering unrivaled mobility and cargo capacity, rapid reconfiguration, high availability, enhanced comfort, as well as optimal management of reduced operational costs throughout its lifecycle, all on a single platform.

Since the first delivery to the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), the KC-390 Millennium has proven its capability, reliability, and performance. FAB's current fleet of KC-390 stands at five units.

The fleet has already exceeded 6,800 flight hours in operation with a 99 percent mission completion rate and more than 80 percent of operational availability, demonstrating excellent availability and productivity in its category.

In June 2022, the Netherlands Ministry of Defense announced the selection of the C-390 Millennium to replace the current fleet of C-130 Hercules. The Netherlands, which will have a fleet of five C-390s, highlighted the aircraft’s performance and operational output in the selection.

The Portuguese Armed Forces and the Hungarian Defense Forces will begin operations with the KC-390 in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The two countries' fleets will be capable of performing aerial refueling and be fully NATO compatible, not only in terms of hardware, but also in avionics and communications.

The Hungarian Defense Forces fleet will be the first in the world to have the Intensive Care Unit configuration, an essential feature for carrying out humanitarian missions.

Embraer is global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, Embraer has businesses in Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense & Security and Agricultural Aviation. (Photos: Embraer/Google Images)