Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force have announced a collaborative effort to identify potential platform adaptations for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
The announcement was made on April 10, 2024, at the International Air and Space Fair (FIDAE) in Santiago, Chile.
As part of the initiative, the Brazilian Air Force and Embraer will leverage existing operational platforms, such as the C-390 Millennium aircraft, for ISR missions. The collaboration will look at the adaptability of Embraer platforms to meet evolving challenges and technological advancements.
“The Brazilian Air Force constantly monitors its ability to fulfill its missions completely in the current context, while also looking at future challenges and the evolution of technologies,” said Lieutenant-Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, the Brazilian Air Force Commander. “Studying the adherence and adaptability of Embraer platforms to the future challenges of these missions is an expected way to maximize commonality and technological autonomy.”
To illustrate the announcement, a render showing the C-390 airlifter configured for maritime patrol missions was released. It is equipped with two anti-ship missiles mounted on hardpoints under its wings.
Embraer maintains a strong partnership with the Brazilian Air Force, having designed multiple aircraft for their fleet. Notably, it has repurposed civilian airframes for specialized missions, converting the ERJ 145 civil regional jet into the R-99 airborne early warning and control aircraft and transforming the EMB 110 into the P-95 maritime patrol aircraft.
