Embraer Presents Its Newest AEW&C Aircraft

Designated the EMB-145 SA, the aircraft will be used by the SIVAM (Amazon Surveillance System) Project

SJCampos, Brazil, May 28, 1999 - Embraer today rolled-out its advanced and effective Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft in the configuration defined to comply with the SIVAM Project requirements. Merging Embraer's highly successful ERJ-145 regional aircraft platform with the proven Ericsson Erieye AEW Radar and Command and Control System, the EMB-145 SA also relies on a number of other sensors that give it true multi-role capability. Besides AEW&C tasks the EMB-145 SA can also execute missions such as border surveillance and control, sea surveillance, search and rescue coordination, airspace management and signals/communications intelligence. The aircraft will be fully capable to integrate data in real-time with ground stations and other airborne elements.

Performing its maiden flight on the morning of May 22nd 1999, the first EMB-145 SA was crewed by Embraer test pilots Jeirgen Prust and José Mauro Fernandes Calheiros, both accompanied by Embraer flight test engineers Mauro Cesar Mezzacappa and Paulo Bartolomeu Mensch. During the 2 hour and 30 minute flight, various segments of the EMB-145 SA's flight envelope were explored. With a 17.077 kg (37,648 lb.) take-off weight, the aircraft attained a minimum speed of 95 KIAS (152 km/h) and reached a maximum speed of 240 KIAS (386 km/h). The EMB-145 SA flew at an altitude of 20,000 ft (6.096 m) and configuration and trim changes were evaluated during that first flight. The crew examined the aircraft's static and dynamic stability along with flight control characteristics at the lower end of the airspeed spectrum. At the end of the flight, the four-man test crew commented that the EMB-145 SA performed flawlessly, the results precisely matching engineering forecasts.

With five units ordered by the Brazilian Government's SIVAM (Amazon Surveillance System) Project and basis for the EMB-145 AEW&C aircraft selected by the Hellenic Air Force to fulfill its AEW&C requirements, the EMB-145 SA offers unparalleled performance allied to an exceptionally high degree of systems and airframe availability. First delivery to the SIVAM Project is scheduled for June 2001.

Embraer is also developing an Airborne Remote Sensing version that employs the same airframe but outfitted with different mission sensors. Designated EMB-145 RS, three of these aircraft systems were also ordered for the SIVAM Project.

During the roll-out ceremony of the EMB-145 SA at Embraer's facilities in Brazil, President and CEO, Maurício Botelho stated: "With the EMB-145 SA, Embraer enters a highly specialized segment of the defense market that is served by very few companies in the aviation industry. At the same time Embraer is fulfilling its role as the technological and industrial arm of the strategic initiatives of the Brazilian Air Force.