Aerospace industry in Latin America

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Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, announced last week that his government will negotiate with Embraer and the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) a financing program to enable Angola to acquire three KC-390 Millennium aircraft.

The announcement came during a visit by Angolan President Joao Lourenco to Brazil, where he also announced that assistance will be provided to modernize the African country's A-29 Super Tucano fleet.

The KC-390 currently operates in the air forces of Brazil, Portugal, and Hungary, and has been selected by the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Slovakia, South Korea, and an undisclosed customer.

The Angolan fleet, meanwhile, includes several Soviet-made models, with the eight Antonov An-12s being the most similar in both capability and operational profile to the KC-390 Millennium.

If the matter progresses, Embraer could strengthen its position in the African market as a provider of military solutions. A few weeks ago, it signed a memorandum of understanding with Denel, South Africa's leading defense company, seeking to incorporate the KC-390 into that country's Armed Forces.

The KC-390 has a payload capacity of up to 26 tons and a speed of 470 knots. It can be used in tactical missions, medical evacuations, in-flight refueling, firefighting, and special operations.

It is capable of operating on unpaved runways and in extreme climates, making it an ideal platform for African conditions.

During the first part of May, the aircraft toured the United States to demonstrate its capabilities to representatives of the United States Armed Forces, members of Congress, and the media.

Embraer also showcased its model at the DSEI convention center in Japan between May 21 and 23 as part of its awareness campaign.

Hunnu Air's Embraer E-195 E2 made its inaugural flight between Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, and Beijing Daxing International Airport, China, becoming the first model of its kind to operate a route to mainland China.

“The launch of this route with our new E195 E2 reflects Hunnu Air's determination to expand our international network and symbolizes the deepening of friendship and collaboration between Mongolia and China in this new era,” said Munkhjargal Purevjal, CEO of the airline.

“Since 2019, we have operated first-generation E190 aircraft, and the addition of the E195 E2 is the perfect upgrade to meet the growing demand for both domestic and international travel. We look forward to the E2 becoming the foundation for our long-term growth, allowing us to offer unparalleled connectivity throughout the region,” he added.

The flight was operated by the first of two new models the Mongolian airline received in April. These models will be used to increase capacity to Haikou and Sanya, China, and Phu Quoc, Vietnam, as well as expand its services to Japan, India, and South Korea, and introduce scheduled flights to Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J01-2chF5Lk&t=2s
Hunnu Air's E195 E2 is configured in a two-class layout with 136 seats in Embraer's renowned 2-2 arrangement, meaning "no passenger will have to endure the dreaded middle seat."

"We strongly support Hunnu Air in the success of this key corridor. The right-sized E2 will allow Hunnu Air to grow profitably, unlocking Mongolia's enormous potential and strengthening its growing network in Asia," said Martyn Holmes, Chief Commercial Officer of Embraer Commercial Aviation.

The first Embraer aircraft to enter service in Mongolia was in 2018, an ERJ 145.

Embraer will participate in the 17th Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA), which will be held from May 20 to 24, 2025, in Langkawi, Malaysia. During the event, the company will showcase the KC-390 Millennium, a multi-mission tactical transport aircraft that has been deployed by various air forces around the world. The aircraft will be available for display both at booth C013 and in the outdoor static display area.

This presentation reinforces Embraer's interest in expanding its presence in Southeast Asia within the defense sector.

Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, stated that it is an honor to have the KC-390 at LIMA 2025.

“It is a next-generation military air transport with multi-mission capability, interoperability, reliability, low life-cycle cost, and high performance at its core. The aircraft is gaining ground worldwide, and we look forward to expanding our presence in the Asia-Pacific region,” Da Costa Junior emphasized.

The KC-390 is an aircraft designed to respond to today's operational challenges. It can reach a speed of 470 knots and carry up to 26 tons of cargo, outperforming other mid-size cargo aircraft. It is powered by IAE V2500 engines and was introduced into service in 2019.

Its design allows for a wide variety of missions, such as cargo or troop transport and offloading, medical evacuations, search and rescue, humanitarian missions, firefighting, and in-flight refueling.

The aircraft can operate in various geographical and climatic conditions in Southeast Asia, including unpaved terrain such as compacted earth or gravel. Its design allows it to operate reliably in humid, hot, cold, or dry environments. It is equipped with sensors, communications systems, and an integrated electronic warfare system, giving it connectivity and self-protection capabilities.

According to Embraer, the KC-390 achieved a 99% mission completion rate and maintains low operating costs. Its design from the outset considered the ability to perform multiple roles and facilitate interoperability with various armed forces. It is currently in service in Brazil, Portugal, and Hungary.

It has also been ordered by South Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and an undisclosed customer. Sweden and Slovakia recently announced their selection of this aircraft for their national defense.

In the Southeast Asian region, Embraer already maintains a presence through the operation of aircraft such as the A-29 Super Tucano in Indonesia and the Philippines. These models are used for advanced training and close air support missions.

The company also has a regional office in Singapore, as well as a spare parts and components distribution center. Over the past twenty years, Embraer has designed and certified 21 aircraft platforms, demonstrating its development capabilities in the aerospace industry.
 
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) is advancing the modernization of its fleet with the Gripen E hunt, registered as FAB 4110, which was escorted to the port of Linköping, in Sweden, for shipment to the port of Navegantes, in Santa Catarina. Amateur videos circulating in WhatsApp groups show the moment the aircraft was transported. This is the last Gripen E to be manufactured in Sweden, marking the start of production in Brazil, at the Embraer plant in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo, a framework for the national defense industry.
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The FAB 4110 also includes significant advances, such as larger area lifts, which optimize maneuverability in misses with heavy loads and reduced distances necessary for decollage and use. This update was also implemented on FAB 4100, or first Gripen E delivered to Brazil, during its 300-hour overhaul at Embraer. These benefits strengthen the FAB's capacity in highly complex strategic operations.

The production of the next 15 Gripen E bottles will be carried out in Brazil only, with first delivery scheduled for October or November 2025 and two more units in 2026.

In Sweden, Saab will focus exclusively on manufacturing the Gripen F, a dual-purpose version intended for training and specialized misses. The transfer of production to Brazil reinforces the technological autonomy of the country and consolidates the partnership with Saab, positioning FAB as a reference in the defense of national air space.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYRiQFcylo

Mongolia's Hunnu Air Will Add A New Embraer E195-E2 To Its Tiny Fleet In March​

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In a significant advance for Argentine aerospace development, the Argentine Air Force successfully completed the experimental launch of the MET 1-SO "Escorpio" sounding rocket, a domestically developed suborbital platform. The test took place on Thursday, May 22, at the CELPA II ATLÁNTICO Self-Propelled Projectile Experimentation and Launch Center, located in Mar Chiquita, Buenos Aires province, and marked a new milestone in the country's ability to design, operate, and recover suborbital flight vehicles.
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The main objective of this mission was to validate under real-world conditions a series of technologies developed in Argentina, in conjunction with the Institute of Scientific and Technical Research for Defense (CITEDEF). Among the milestones achieved were the flight qualification of the solid-fuel propulsion system, as well as the testing of telemetry and encrypted transmission systems, and the incorporation of artificial intelligence for search and rescue tasks at sea.
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One of the biggest highlights of the test was the successful recovery of the payload capsule over the waters of the South Atlantic, an unprecedented achievement for the Argentine aerospace industry. The capsule, undocked after reaching the peak of its ballistic trajectory, was located and recovered by Argentine Navy personnel, with the support of drones and specialized sensors.


In this regard, the Minister of Defense, Luis Petri, stated, "The launch of MET 1-SO represents a historic event. It marks how, in the air and at sea, we continue to recover our defense and technological capabilities with developments unique to the Argentine Air Force."

The development and execution of the mission was carried out by the personnel of the General Directorate of Research and Development (DGID), with the participation of CITEDEF and other state agencies linked to the scientific and technological sector. MET 1-SO was designed as a single-stage sounding rocket for suborbital flights, capable of reaching altitudes close to the Kármán line, the conventional limit of space at 100 km altitude. However, on this initial mission, the flight profile was limited to evaluate the launcher's critical subsystems.

According to the specialized portal EspacioTech, the vehicle features domestically developed avionics, high-precision inertial navigation, passive guidance using aerodynamic design and fixed stabilizers, and high-frequency telemetry that enables real-time monitoring even during high acceleration phases. Furthermore, its modular and scalable architecture allows it to be adapted to more complex future missions.

The MET 1-SO also incorporates an artificial intelligence system onboard its payload capsule, which assists in locating it after splashdown. This technology was key to Argentina's first successful recovery of a capsule launched from land to sea.

This successful test positions the country among the few nations capable of designing, building, launching, and recovering suborbital vehicles. For the Argentine Air Force, this is a strategic step toward strengthening its technological capabilities, within the framework of a forward-looking national project, with sovereignty and autonomy in the aerospace field.


IACIT presents innovations for air safety at SpaceBR Show 2025
Ricardo Fan
May 28, 2025
Aviation, SpaceBR Show

IACIT, a Brazilian company of reference in innovation, will be present at SpaceBR Show 2025, Latin America's main fair on space technology.

At the event, which takes place between June 3 and 5, at the Expo Center Norte, in São Paulo, the company will present ponta solutions applied to UAM (Urban Air Mobility) and UTM (Traffic Management of Unmanned Aircraft Systems), with emphasis on the DroneBlocker.

Used by the Brazilian Army, DroneBlocker is a system developed to inhibit communications from drones, cell phones, explosive devices and other equipment that operates via radio frequency. The solution is intended to protect sensitive areas of strategic interest.

"We believe that the mastery of critical technologies is essential to strengthen the country's response capacity in the face of new challenges. Our work is aimed at developing solutions that contribute to national technological autonomy and address real demands for security, control and monitoring of air space", stated Luiz Teixeira, CEO of IACIT.

Innovation
IACIT will also present MUST (Multi-Sensor Urban Surveillance and Tracking), an innovative system designed for monitoring delivery drones and eVTOLs in high-density urban areas. The technology integrates data from multiple sensors along with artificial intelligence to track them in real time. Its main differential is the ability to guarantee persistent surveillance in high-density urban environments, guaranteeing safety and efficiency in air operations.

With transversal application, MUST can also be adapted to public defense and security scenarios, expanding the autonomy and surveillance capacity of Brazil.


Accurate
It is also part of the IACIT or Meteodrone portfolio, a meteorological drone equipped with high-precision sensors to collect atmospheric data on the Earth's limit layer — such as temperature, humidity, pressure and wind. Different radiosondes are discarded, the Meteodrone returns to the original point, guaranteeing directed measurements, being able to be reused, making the system more sustainable and economical.

The equipment can be integrated into the MIND platform (Integrated Nowcasting Meteorology for Decision Makers), which will also be highlighted at the fair.

The platform, which operates via the web, brings together data from sensors, radars and numerical models to issue alerts in real time and can be adapted to different scenarios, strengthening the management of climate risks. The tool integrates all types of sensors to emit a range of information that streamlines and automates operations, facilitating prompt response.


About SpaceBR
The SpaceBR Show is now in its fifth edition, consolidated as one of the two main aerospace technology events in Latin America. Focused on business promotion, strategic connections and sector trends, the fair brings together representatives of industry, universities, research institutes, startups, investors and government bodies.

"Events like the SpaceBR Show create a favorable environment for the exchange of knowledge and the formation of strategic partnerships. It is an opportunity to present solutions developed in Brazil and expand connections with institutions and companies that share a commitment to innovation," highlights the CEO of IACIT.
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About IACIT
Founded in 1986, IACIT is a Brazilian company with headquarters in São José dos Campos (SP), recognized by its work in the development of technological solutions for air traffic control, defense, meteorology and public security.

Certified as a Strategic Defense Company (SED) by the Ministry of Defense, IACIT continually invests in innovation to expand national technological autonomy and contribute to the security and sovereignty of Brazil.

 
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Akaer, a Brazilian company that is a leader in technology and innovation in the aerospace sector, was present at the first presentation of the D328eco test aircraft. The rollout, as the event is known in English, took place this Wednesday (28), at the Oberpfaffenhoven Airfield, Germany.

The rollout represents a step forward for the program of the sustainable 40-seat turboprop aircraft, in which Akaer plays a fundamental role as the company responsible for the mass production of the front fuselage — including industrialization, tooling, prototypes and associated studies.

The presentation of the first test aircraft, incorporating new technologies — including updated engines and avionics — aimed to validate the flight characteristics before the first official flight.

This milestone precedes the start of production of the front fuselage at the Akaer factory in São José dos Campos (SP).

“The rollout of the D328eco is a step forward for a significant project in regional aviation, with a focus on sustainability and efficiency. For Akaer, participating in this moment and being responsible for a critical component, such as the forward fuselage, reinforces our position as the first Brazilian company in the aerospace sector recognized as a Tier 1 Global Supplier. We are ready and eager to start production and contribute to the success of this innovative aircraft”, said Cesar Silva, CEO of Akaer, present at the event alongside Senior Advisor, Marco Tulio Pellegrini.

Sustainable aviation

The D328eco was designed to operate with up to 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), aiming to reduce carbon emissions and set a new standard for regional aviation.

With a capacity for 40 passengers, state-of-the-art avionics and capable of operating on short, unpaved runways, the model combines operational efficiency with versatility, and can be adapted for passenger transport, rescue missions, military operations and firefighting.

The strategic partnership with Deutsche Aircraft, which began in 2023, consolidates Akaer's expertise in the development and supply of complex aerostructures and systems for the global market.

Expertise

With over 33 years of experience, Akaer has accumulated a portfolio of over 10 million engineering hours dedicated to the development of aeronautical systems and structures. Throughout its history, it has been involved in over 50 prominent projects on the world stage.

The company has played an essential role in major aerospace programs, including collaboration with Embraer on the E-Jets family, the KC-390 military freighter and with Saab, in the development of the Gripen E fighters for the Brazilian Air Force. It also participated in the Hürjet supersonic fighter project, in partnership with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).

AKAER is a leading company, highly specialized in the development of cutting-edge technological solutions and products for the Space, Aeronautics and Defense industries. Our commitment to innovation and integration allows us to offer a comprehensive portfolio of solutions adapted to the most demanding demands.

Headquartered in São José dos Campos (SP), Akaer maintains offices in Portugal and Turkey.
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SOURCE: Rossi Comunicação
 
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