Aerospace industry in Latin America

The year 2024 was a milestone for Akaer. With projects that strengthened its technological leadership in the Aerospace and Defense sectors, the company reached new markets, consolidating an important projection on the global stage. At the same time, it expanded its leading role in initiatives that are fundamental to Brazil's sovereignty.

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One of its main achievements was achieving the status of Tier 1 Global Supplier, a first among Brazilian companies in the aerospace sector. The qualification, which highlights Akaer's ability to develop and supply complete, highly complex systems and structures for global manufacturers, is the result of a contract with the German company Deutsche Aircraft for the production, in Brazil, of the forward fuselage of the D328eco, a 40-seat turboprop designed for regional transport, rescue missions, military operations and firefighting. The first deliveries are scheduled for 2026.

“Tier 1 status is the result of more than three decades of dedication and innovation. This achievement reflects the talent of our team, the commitment of our partners and the technical quality that defines us. We will continue to elevate Brazil's reputation in the aerospace sector”, stated Cesar Silva, CEO of Akaer.

However, this was not the group's only milestone in the international market in 2024. In December, Akaer was selected to manufacture the structure, also in Brazil, of the first Portuguese aircraft – the LUS-222, a twin-engine high-wing aircraft designed for civil and military missions. The agreement signed with EEA Aircraft and Maintenance includes the fuselage, complete wing, horizontal and vertical stabilizers and all control surfaces of the new aircraft, with production starting in 2025. This is the first time that a Brazilian company will manufacture the entire structure of a regional transport and cargo aircraft.

Strategic Partnerships

Reinforcing its long-standing partnership with Embraer, Akaer confirmed its participation in two globally relevant projects in 2024: the C-390 Millennium military freighter and the Praetor 600 executive jet, taking on the assembly of the fuel tanks for both aircraft and the POD and JAMMER pylons for the C-390 Millennium.

The company also announced the delivery of the first essential tooling for the HondaJet Echelon (HA-480) for manufacturing the aircraft's tail.


The year was also marked by progress in the HÜRJET program, with the flight of the second prototype of TAI's (Turkish Aerospace Industries) supersonic fighter. Akaer contributed to the development and detailing of the structural design, in addition to the installation of the fuselage systems, reinforcing its expertise in highly complex technological programs.

“Our commitment to excellence is what sets us apart in the market. Each project is an opportunity to raise the standard of Brazilian aerospace engineering,” stated Cesar Silva.

National Sovereignty

Akaer has reaffirmed its leading role in projects that highlight the company’s technical competence and, at the same time, reinforce Brazil’s technological autonomy and strategic capacity in the defense and aerospace sector. With cutting-edge modernization and development initiatives, the company consolidates its role as a key player in national sovereignty.

The Cascavel NG, an armored vehicle modernized by Akaer for the Brazilian Army, successfully passed the first phases of testing carried out by the corporation and was presented to the public for the first time. Equipped with state-of-the-art defense systems, such as daytime and thermal cameras, a missile launcher system, and an automated turret, the vehicle has gained agility, precision, and greater combat capability.

Also highlighting the progress made in projects carried out by Akaer, in May 2024, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) P-3AM Orion maritime patrol aircraft successfully completed its first flight after the wing modernization, conducted by the company.

The project involved the replacement of several primary elements of all wing assemblies, such as upper skins, front and rear spars, and upper and lower panels of the central boxes.

The P3 plays an important role in intelligence, surveillance, and protection of natural resources, such as pre-salt reserves, missions.

Towards space

In the space field, Akaer advanced in the VLN AKR project by obtaining the launch license and successfully completing the Preliminary Requirements Review. The initiative will place Brazil in the select group of nations with autonomy to launch satellites.

With a focus on nano and microsatellites, the launch vehicle will operate within national territory. The launch is expected to take place in the first half of 2027.

Another milestone for the Brazilian Space Program, the VCUB 1 nanosatellite released its first images of the Earth in October, taken with the OPTO 3UCAM camera, developed by Akaer. This is the first reflective camera designed and produced in Brazil and is capable of taking high-definition images of the Earth's surface – a pod
and identify objects at least 3.5 meters across from space, covering a scanning range of 14 km.

Expanding Horizons

Akaer's technological expertise transcended the aerospace sector in 2024, making its presence felt in other strategic markets, such as agribusiness. One example is the development of high-performance batteries for Solix agricultural robots, which represent a significant advance in field automation.

Using the same lithium battery technology applied in the aerospace sector, Akaer has developed solutions that meet the most rigorous quality and performance standards. Solix robots operate 24 hours a day, analyzing crops, identifying weeds and applying herbicides accurately. This level of automation reduces the use of agricultural pesticides by up to 90%, minimizing environmental impacts and optimizing costs.

The project, which integrates sustainability and innovation, also reduces carbon emissions. The robots use rechargeable batteries with solar energy, replacing machines and aircraft powered by fossil fuels.
 

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The Cicaré 8 Features Bigger and Better TechnologyThe Cicaré 8 is an advanced ultralight helicopter kit. It was showcased at the Cicaré booth at EAA’s Oshkosh Airventure. The company’s “adventure machines” are some of the most powerful on the market. The latest design, the Cicaré 8, is a two-seater side-by-side ultralight helicopter with a 140hp Rotax 915 iS engine.It was built with several features for increased function and comfort, such as ample instrumentation, a carbon fiber semi-monocoque cockpit, adjustable tail rotor pedals, and a configurable dashboard. Development was completed in 2018, and thirty have since been distributed throughout South America and Europe.The model is currently available as a fast-build kit, requiring an average of 200 construction hours. Customers can purchase the Cicaré 8 kit, including the engine, avionics, and a radio, for $220k. It will also be for sale as a production Light Sport Helicopter under the upcoming FAA MOSAIC regulations.One of the Cicaré 8's main perks is its relatively low operational costs. It runs on premium autogas, burning an average of 4.5 to 5 gallons per hour.“This machine would compete with any production helicopter as far as the quality and the purpose-built components that it has,” commented Keith Barr, President and CEO of Cicaré.The Cicaré 8 on display at Airventure was built at the company’s facility in Reno, Nevada, and is the first model to be used in the United States.Aero-TV is a production of the Internationally syndicated Aero-News Network. Seen worldwide by hundreds of thousands of aviators and aviation adherents, ANN's Aero-TV has produced well over 5000 aviation and feature programs, including over 2500 episodes of our daily aviation news program, AIRBORNE UNLIMITED, currently hosted by Holland Lee. Now in its third decade of operation, parent company Aero-News Network, has the most aggressive and intensive editorial profile of any aviation news organization and has published well over a half-million news and feature stories since its inception -- having pioneered the online 24/7 aviation new-media model that so many have emulated.
 
The new version of the Albatroz, a military drone developed by Stella Tecnologia, will be capable of carrying out missions at an altitude of 40,000 feet (approximately 12,000 meters).
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This information was provided by the manufacturer's founder and CEO, Gilberto Buffara, who is participating in the BID Brasil Showcase in Brasília this week.

Originally equipped with a combustion engine, the Albatroz has been given a prototype with turbines developed with 100% national technology by Aero Concepts, Stella Tecnologia's partner in the project.

The new configuration will allow the aircraft to reach a speed of 250 km/h in critical missions that require high performance and range.

"It will be able to fly at altitudes higher than Mount Everest [the highest mountain in the world, located in the Himalayas, at 8,849 meters high]", said Buffara.

The Albatroz is one of the highlights of the BID Brasil Showcase, which runs until Friday (6) at the Ulysses Guimarães Convention Center. The aircraft is on display at the Aero Concepts stand, the turbine manufacturer (South Wing, S41 and S43).

On Tuesday (3), the Minister of Defense, José Múcio Monteiro, visited the space and learned about the details of the project.


The Albatroz was developed by Stella Tecnologia to transport sensors, radars and small missiles.

With a length of 4 meters and a wingspan of 7 meters, it stands out for its versatility. It can be operated on runways less than 150 meters long, including vessels, transporting loads between 6 kg and 50 kg – its maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) is 200 kg.

“The Albatroz was designed to perform missions from the Multipurpose Aircraft Carrier Atlântico, following specifications from the Brazilian Navy [which will receive the first prototype]”, stated the CEO of Stella Tecnologia.

“The aircraft’s configuration allows, for example, the inspection of long maritime and terrestrial strips. And with a small flight platform, easy to operate and transport”, he highlighted, noting that the military drone has topography sensors.

New Albatross

The new version of the aircraft was possible thanks to the partnership between Stella Tecnologia and Aero Concepts, announced in April of this year during FIDAE, an international fair held in Chile.

This is the first time that turbines developed 100% in Brazil are applied to smaller flight platforms, such as medium and large drones, a milestone in the national Defense industry.

“These are 500 newton turbines. This technology has already been used in Brazilian missiles, but had not yet been applied to an unmanned aircraft”, stated Buffara.

“For this new configuration, it was necessary to recalculate, for example, the engine consumption. The turbine is lighter and more powerful, but has a higher energy consumption than the combustion engine. The aircraft's temperature control was also adapted for this version.”

The next stage of the project is certification by ANAC (National Civil Aviation Agency). Flight tests are expected to take place in early 2025.

“Since we have already received authorization for tests with the combustion engine, I believe the process will be faster. It is the same aircraft. Only the propulsion system has changed,” said the CEO of Stella Tecnologia.

“This new version of the Albatroz is also a test platform. From it, we will launch other aircraft with different applications, including loitering munitions [also known as suicide drones],” he added.

“With this same turbine, we will be able to develop versions capable of flying at up to 700 km/h.”

The Albatroz is the second largest large UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) manufactured in Brazil. The first is the Atobá, also developed by Stella Tecnologia, with 8 meters in length, 11 meters in wingspan and a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 500 kg – due to its characteristics, it requires larger runways, 400 meters long.

About Stella Tecnologia

Founded in 2015, in Duque de Caxias (RJ), Stella Tecnologia develops large unmanned aircraft for civil and military use.

Its aeronautical projects use highly configurable, state-of-the-art resources to meet a wide range of operational requirements for tactical and strategic missions, using the best sensors and subsystems, chosen with impartiality, to compose integrated systems of extremely high performance and reliability.

About Aero Concepts

Aero Concepts is a Strategic Defense Company (EED).

It operates in the market of projects, consultancies and services in turbomachinery applied to power generation with thermal plants, control system projects and test benches for the industrial and aerospace sectors, in addition to being a manufacturer and supplier of turbine technology for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

It is an official partner in the development and manufacture of turbines applied to propulsion systems for the FAB (Brazilian Air Force).

In the field of solid propulsion for rockets and propellants, Aero Concepts has a partnership with the Klu group
mpen working on the development, testing and production of rockets, boosters, warheads and missiles.

Founded in January 2016, it has units in Ribeirão Preto and São José dos Campos, in the State of São Paulo.

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ATJA45-30 / TR5000
The Aero Concepts ATJA 45-30 engine, also known as TR5000, is the only joint development project for an aeronautical gas turbine established with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) under the Department of Aerospace Science and Technology (DCTA). The ATJA 45-30 engine is currently sponsored by the company Aero Concepts, by the FAB/DCTA institutes such as the Institute of Aeronautics and Space (IAE) and the Technological Institute of Aeronautics (ITA) and also by the Financier of Studies and Projects (FINEP) under an agreement with the Ministry of Defense (MD) for sponsorship of projects of interest to Defense. Tailor-made for the Defense Market, the ATJA 45-30 engine has a thrust of 3,700 N (832 lbf) and is designed to fly high-performance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), such as Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs), aerial targets and cruise missiles with a maximum take-off weight of 1,100 kg up to speeds of Mach 0.9.

As a well-established private company in the industrial power generation market, notably in consulting, design, remote monitoring and services for turbomachinery of thermal plants up to 250 MW, AERO CONCEPTS seeks partnerships worldwide to establish itself in the Defense Market by offering the complete ATJA 45-30 engine package in the context of new UAV development programs that have as their basic pillars technological independence, comprehensive technical assistance and complete logistics solutions.

 

Argentine Army buys RMF-200V tactical radars from INVAP​


According to information provided by INVAP, the RMF-200V is a multi-mission / multi-function 3D AESA 3D short-range air defense radar with a compact and lightweight design based on state-of-the-art technology.

With a detection range of up to 200 km and more than 70 degrees of elevation coverage, it scans the entire volume in less than a second, detecting and tracking all types of targets (up to 600 targets simultaneously), including very low speed threats such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).


On today, September 15, the Minister of Defense of the Argentine Republic, Jorge Taiana, signed the Inter-Administrative Contract for the development and provision of the Airborne POD-ISR System. The ceremony was held in the city of Bariloche, province of Rio Negro, at the INVAP facilities where part of the development of the POD-ISR is being carried out.

The signing of the contract ensures the development and provision of the Airborne POD-ISR for the Argentine Air Force, through an investment of 1.2 billion pesos. The Minister of Defense said that “it is important, because it is the recovery of material that the force had and also an achievement of a law of the Fernández government, of a fund for Defense, which allows the creation of a fund to finance the armed forces, their re-equipment and recovery of material.”
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