Singapore, February 15, 2012 – Embraer Defense and Security is attending the 2012 edition of the Singapore Airshow (booth #CD51) and promoting a broad range of integrated solutions that combine a high technological level and operational efficiency at competitive acquisition and operating costs. Two executives from the sales area are taking part in the event: João Tolesani, Vice President of New Business for the Asia Pacific region, and Sérgio Bellato, Vice President of New Business for Southern Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The Company is also celebrating its presence in the Asia Pacific market by delivering the first Super Tucano and EMB 145 AEW&C aircraft in the region.
Embraer’s Defense and Security portfolio includes military airplanes, state-of-the-art radar technologies, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and advanced information and communication systems, such as Command, Control, Communication, Computation, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) applications. “The Asia Pacific market has enormous potential, and we offer a large number of solutions made-to-order for the needs of each customer,” states Geraldo Gomes, Senior Vice President Marketing and Sales – Embraer Defense and Security. Three of these programs merit special mention:
- EMB 314 Super Tucano
The Super Tucano is an advanced training and light attack turboprop currently used by five air forces in Latin America. In 2012, Indonesia became the first to operate the Super Tucano in the Asia Pacific region. Three African nations have also acquired the airplane. In December 2011, the model was selected by the United States Air Force (USAF) for its LAS (Light Air Support) program, which anticipates an initial order of 20 aircraft. After more than seven years in action, the Super Tucano has gained an excellent performance record: over 130,000 flight hours and 18,000 combat hours. Designed to operate in inhospitable environments, under rigorous conditions, where there is little infrastructure support, the Super Tucano is capable of performing such missions as counter-insurgency, reconnaissance, and support of ground troops, and offers more than 130 proven and operational weaponry configurations. At the present time, the Super Tucano has 182 firm orders and 156 aircraft delivered.
- EMB 145 ISR Family
In December 2011, Embraer Defense and Security performed the maiden flight of the first EMB 145 AEW&C for the Indian government, which ordered three airplanes and holds options for another six. Yet this year, it will become the first operator of the model in Asia Pacific. The airborne early warning and control jet is one of the members of Embraer Defense and Security’s family of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, built on the platform of the ERJ 145, which is one of the most successful regional jets in the world, with more than 1,100 aircraft delivered and 19 million flight hours. The family of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft of Embraer Defense and Security consists of three models: Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system, Multi Intel (Remote Sensing and Land Surveillance), and Maritime Patrol (MP). Fifteen units of the EMB 145 ISR family have been delivered to three air forces, worldwide. The Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira – FAB) operates eight of them in the Amazon Surveillance System (SIVAM): five EMB 145 AEW&Cs and three EMB 145 Multi Intels. Another three aircraft are serving in Mexico, with the National Defense Department (Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional – SEDENA) – one EMB 145 AEW&C and two EMB 145 MPs. The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) of Greece has four EMB 145 AEW&Cs that operate in conjunction with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The Indian Air Force acquired three EMB 145 AEW&Cs that begin delivery this year. The aircraft of the EMB 145 ISR family are versatile, reliable, and financially accessible for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions, perfectly blending efficiency and economy. Its main mission is to detect, track and identify targets within its patrol area, and transmit that information to friendly forces, so as to supply them with a precise and broad overview of the theater of operations.
- Aircraft modernization
Embraer Defense and Security has contracts with the Brazilian Armed Forces, the Portuguese Air Force, and the Colombian Air Force (FAC) for aircraft modernization. The FAB’s A-1M program provides for refurbishing and modernizing 43 AMX subsonic fighters. Ten of them are at Embraer’s facilities, and ready to begin. Deliveries begin in 2013. The FAB’s F-5M program covers a total of 46 F-5 fighter jets. In 2011, the last five modernized units were delivered, finishing that contract. Also last year, the Company signed a new contract for modernizing an additional 11 F-5 fighters, as well as for supplying one more flight simulator for this aircraft. Deliveries for this second group of modernized fighters are expected to begin in 2013. The F-5E (single-seat) and F-5F (two-seat) fighter jets were incorporated by the FAB in the 1970’s. The modernization program includes the latest generation electronic war system, new avionics, an in-flight refueling system, and greater operating capabilities, which will extend the useful life of the aircraft for 15 more years. Another program under way is the modernization of 12 AF-1 (A-4 Skyhawk) aircraft for the Brazilian Navy. Furthermore, OGMA, an Embraer controlled company, in Portugal, is modernizing the F-16A (single-seat) and F-16B (two-seat) fighters for the Portuguese Air Force. The contract for modernizing 14 EMB 312 Tucano training aircraft for the FAC covers the installation of the most advanced digital avionics and the substitution of the wings and landing gear. Countries in Latin America and Africa have shown interest and have received preliminary information regarding this modernization program.