Aerospace Industry in Latin America

The FT Systems, one of the major references in Brazil in remotely piloted aircraft, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones, has developed an unmanned helicopter, able to perform various missions, from the inspection of critical land structures (power lines , oil and gas pipelines) to environmental monitoring and border at a cost 5% less than that of a conventional helicopter.

Approved as a Strategic Defense Company (DSE), the FT invested R $ 9.3 million in the development of the vehicle, which has the first flight scheduled for the second half of 2016. The certification process of the helicopter by the ANAC (National Agency Civil aviation) should be completed in 2018.

Named FT-X2, the unmanned helicopter has among its development partners Celesc and the National Institute of Electric Power (Inerge). "The FT-X2 is appointed to the inspection of remote networks and the frequency required by ANEEL (Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency) more efficient and less costly way," says the president of FT, Nei Brazil.

With only two meters long and 90 kilograms, the aircraft is able to conduct military operations embedded in the Blue Amazon, smuggling and drug trafficking and target acquisition for artillery systems. Similar Vehicles to this, according to Brazil, are already being used by companies such as DHL, Germany, for the express cargo transport small and high added value such as drugs and precious stones.

The FT-X2 has the rotors (component that supports the flight) setup "Flettner", a helicopter that forms a set of two rotors, rotating in opposite directions. With this arrangement the helicopter works without a tail rotor, which results in energy savings. "The helicopters equipped with Flettner rotors have high stability and powerful lifting capacity," said the president. The rotor FT-X2 is provided by a partner company in Germany and the motor by an English company.

In Brazil, according to the executive, the FT-X2 is also able to meet the need that the Army has a device with 60-70 km range, to make border surveillance with a range of up to 18 hours.

The FT-Systems participates in the main military UAVs projects in Brazil and in partnership with the Army Technology Center (cortex) has developed its first unmanned vehicles such as the VT-15 and the mini-UAV system Horus FT-100, which was exported to a country in Africa last year.

The company is also responsible for developing the flight control system, autopilot and guiding the UAV Project, the Ministry of Defence, in cooperation with the Brazilian Armed Forces.

With only 18 employees, the FT is a pioneer in Brazil in the development of UAVs. Created in 2003 in an incubator of technology-based companies linked to the Technological Institute of Aeronautics (ITA), the FT predicts revenue of R $ 4 million this
year, the same amount recorded in 2014.

"With the new product we expect to boost exports and achieve revenues between R $ 20 million and R $ 30 million over the next two years," he said. In addition to the defense and security market, the executive believes that UAVs manufactured by the company can meet the great demand that exists today in private companies in the agribusiness sector, oil and gas, monitoring highways, transit and garbage dumps, supervision of works, between others.

On the last day 21 the company signed an agreement with the Agricultural Institute of Paraná (Iapar) for the development and application research of such equipment in the agricultural and livestock management. The FT, in Brazil, will provide its family of UAVs to monitor soybean and corn crops, carrying out data collection for research that help reduce costs and increase profits for farmers.

"The FT-X2 can also be used in precision farming. We have a version for this application, with a capacity to carry 40 liters of spray products," he said. Are cultures where agricultural aviation can not act, explained the executive.

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The FT Systems, a pioneer in the development of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) shows the unmanned helicopter FT-200FH to be used both in civil and military sector from 2016.

The helicopter is an ARP (Aircraft Remotely Piloted), weighs 90 kilograms and is two meters long with potential to be used in private companies, government institutions and entities in sectors such as energy, agribusiness, oil and gas, monitoring of highways, traffic and transport of waste, supervision of works. "This is an intelligent system that ensures high autonomy, range, payload and enviable," says the CEO of FT-Systems Nei Brazil

The FT-200FH is being developed with partners like CELESC (celesc) and INERGE (Institute of Studies and Energy Management) and companies from Germany and England.

The ARP helicopter can be applied in activities such as inspection remote grids, fast shipping small loads and high added value as medicines, for example.

The use of FT-200FH inspection of power networks, for example, economy is 5 to 10% compared with the cost of traditional helicopters currently used. In addition, the work of the UAV facilitates inspection that must be done at least once a year in accordance with the requirements of ANEEL.

Already in military use can help fight smuggling and drug trafficking and target acquisition to embark artillery systems in the Blue Amazon fleet ships, for example. "The FT-200FH is energy saving by using the two rotors fletteners configuration which increases the stability of the device that works its a tail rotor. And to meet the demands of the Army has the 70 km reach capability and can be used for border surveillance with a range of up to 18 hour flight, "explains the CEO of FT-Systems.

To develop the FT-200FH the company made investments of R $ 9.3 million. The aircraft already undergoes certification process by the ANAC (National Civil Aviation Agency). "One of the objectives when developing the FT-200FH is to increase exports to the revenue target of between R $ 20 million and R $ 30 million over the next two years," says Nei Brazil.

About FT Systems

With ten years of foundation, FT Systems SA is now located in the Technological Park of São José dos Campos (SP), strategic position for the establishment of technological development programs in the country. It has as main customers the Brazilian Army, the Air Force, as well as customers abroad. It has the capacity and experience in integrating various technology providers and project development, always with a medium and long term strategy.

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Brazil’s Embraer Eyes U.S. Deals to Sell 100-Seat Regional Jets
United has indicated it may order the airliners from the world’s third-largest plane maker
By
ROBERT WALL
Nov. 9, 2015 1:22 a.m. ET

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DUBAI—Brazilian plane maker

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SA is in talks with major U.S. carriers to buy some of its regional jets seating more than 100 passengers, further cementing its position in the world’s largest airliner market.

Embraer, the

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, has already made inroads selling 70-seat version of its so called E-Jets in the U.S., but now is eyeing prospects for the slightly larger models that cost more and yield higher profits.

“There is a huge opportunity for us,” said Paulo César de Souza e Silva, who heads Embraer’s commercial airplane unit.

An initial breakthrough deal could come within the next six months, Mr. César said, without identifying the potential customer. That could open the door to other deals. “If one airline orders 100-seaters, the other airlines will look at doing the same,” he said in an interview at the Dubai Air Show.

Embraer in recent years enjoyed sales success from U.S. airlines including

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and

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Inc., who placed orders for smaller versions of its planes.
United has indicated it could place an order for the 100-seat regional jets.
Embraer has enjoyed strong order intake this year with more than 160 orders, Mr. César said, from a combination of regions and customer types. “It is really the whole spectrum of the airline industry which is makes us very happy,” he said.

The Brazilian plane maker plans to introduce an upgraded version of its regional jets, called the E2 generation, in 2018. There have been 270 firm orders for the new model, and Mr. César said he expects another wave of deals once the airplane begins its flight-test phase next year.

Embraer now faces the challenge of selling enough of the current models to avoid a dip in production before deliveries of the new types ramp up. But Mr. César said order intake in the last two years has been strong for the current generation, with deliveries sold out for this year and next and about 85% of 2017.

He said there was still time to secure the required booking to assure stable production rates for the remainder of the transition period.

With the wave of new bookings, Embraer expects to deliver around 100 jetliners this year and will potentially build more planes in 2016.

The fall in the value of the Brazilian currency has provided a financial tailwind for Embraer, which has many of its costs in the local currency even as it sells planes in dollars. Mr. César said the plane maker is reluctant to pass that on in pricing discounts out of concern the currency trends could reverse. Embraer suffered when the Brazilian currently rapidly appreciated during the country’s economic boom.

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Embraer’s KC-390 Returns to Flight Test
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- November 8, 2015, 4:00 AM
The Embraer KC-390 program has returned to flight-test status after a slowdown caused by Brazil’s financial crisis. The prototype tanker/airlifter flew from the manufacturer’s test center in Gavião Pexioto, Brazil, on October 26, the second time it has flown since its maiden flight on February 3. Embraer (Stand 2260 and Chalet A7) planned to fly the prototype again before the Dubai Airshow.

Embraer’s earlier program schedule called for it to certify and deliver the first KC-390 to the Brazilian Air Force in 2016. It announced the slowdown in July, citing the devaluation of the Brazilian real and government spendingcuts. With the resumption of flight-testing, the manufacturer now expects to certify the aircraft in 2017 and begin deliveries the next year.

“We had an economic crisis in the country. We never had any problem with the customer, and specifically with the program,” said Paulo Gastão Silva, Embraer KC-390 program vice president. “We [remain] confident because the customer is happy and confident with us on the program.”

The eight months between test flights were not wasted. Embraer used this period “to do some normal corrections” that came to light during the development effort and conducted ground vibration tests to validate aeroelastic models, Silva said. Tests are ongoing in an avionics rig, mission systems rig and “iron bird” systems integration bench with full cockpit, landing gear system and electric and hydraulic flight controls.

During the second flight of about an hour’s duration, Embraer tested the initial flight profile, flight-control responses and general aircraft behavior. The manufacturer plans to introduce a second prototype to the flight-test campaign early next year. The two aircraft will perform about 2,000 flight hours. During the campaign, Embraer will also use two structural test vehicles for static and fatigue testing and partial test vehicles for different structural and systems testing, Silva said.

The Brazilian Air Force plans to acquire 28 KC-390s, a requirement that remains unchanged, Silva said. He declined to comment on the manufacturer’s “ongoing campaigns” to interest other countries, but said declarations of intent by five identified program partners–Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic and Portugal–remain intact for 32 additional aircraft.

Embraer is back on track to deliver those aircraft, Silva said. “I do feel confident that with the [program] replanning we’ve just made, we’ll be able to finish the development and deliver the aircraft to the customer,” he said. “Next year will be a tough year, but this is already part of the plan.”

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Optimum Solution Technology is Launched in Sonora, Mexico - Manufacturing Jet Engine and Industrial Gas Turbine Hot Zone Components

Optimum Solution Technology will provide substantial new capacity, utilizing cost-effective, advanced lean manufacturing. The company brings together seasoned European and US leadership with private Mexican investment.

HERMOSILLO, SONORA (PRWEB) OCTOBER 28, 2015

Announcing an exciting new enterprise registered in Sonora, Mexico and serving a global industry - the company focuses on advanced engineering and manufacturing of aero engine and industrial gas turbine hot zone components, including conventional and non-conventional manufacturing of vanes, segments, inserts and seals.

Positioned as a Tier 1 supplier, with in-house R&D, engineering, and manufacturing, the company offers a full suite of design and process capabilities for both precision machined and fabricated parts. This includes state-of-the-art 3-axis and 5-axis CNC grinding, CNC Milling, EDM die-sinking, EDM fast hole drilling and laser drilling, as well as sheet metal forming and associated welding and heat treatment.

Filling a clearly identified need in the global supply chain, including managing turnkey Bought-Out-Finished (BOF) sourcing, Optimum Solution Technology offers robust, cost-optimized business solutions. The company will be opening technical liaison offices in Derby, UK and CT USA, to support OEM customers worldwide.

A new R&D Center will focus on integrating advanced computer aided design, powerful simulation techniques, virtual qualification, and advanced, non-conventional manufacturing methods.

Production will ramp up in 2016, with all applicable AS9100C, NADCAP audits and process certifications being completed.

The company's business model exploits the vigor of a new enterprise, led by a seasoned executive leadership team. Stability and independence is assured through local, private, long-term financing, complemented by hands-on, experienced management. These advantages are further leveraged by the benefits of a newly equipped world-class plant being located in Hermosillo, the State capital of Sonora.

Hermosillo boasts excellent engineering schools and a highly competent, motivated workforce. The State of Sonora supports a strong and diversified aerospace and IGT supplier base, offering outstanding partnering opportunities in an integrated local supply chain.

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b787 said:

Brazil’s Embraer Eyes U.S. Deals to Sell 100-Seat Regional Jets
United has indicated it may order the airliners from the world’s third-largest plane maker

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The Republic of Lebanon confirmed the day, 09NOV2015, acquiring six turboprop aircraft A-29 Super Tucano Embraer Defense & Security and Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC). The contract includes logistics support for the operation of aircraft, as well as a complete training system for pilots and mechanics of the Lebanese Air Force. The sale was approved in June by the US State Department.

The sale of these aircraft is part of a larger package, more comprehensive, including infrastructure improvements that will be fulfilled by other parties not involved in the partnership Embraer / SNC. The aircraft, which are currently in operation in 10 air forces around the world, will be built in Jacksonville, Florida.

"The choice of A-29 Air Force Lebanese proves the superiority of the Super Tucano and its ability to meet the challenges of the theater in the Middle East," said Jackson Schneider, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. "The Super Tucano is the best and most efficient aircraft on the market with a proven track record of success with air forces around the world."

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The Embraer Executive Jets signed on 07 NOV 2015, with Emirates Flight Training Academy a firm order for five Phenom 100E jets, with an option for five more model aircraft. The first delivery is scheduled for 2017.

"The Emirates Training Center offers one of the most innovative and advanced training programs for airline pilot," said Marco Tulio Pellegrini, President & CEO of Embraer Executive Jets. "We are pleased to be one of the key partners of the Emirates, providing training jet to meet future demand for highly skilled professional pilots for commercial aviation."

The Phenom 100E has the most advanced technologies for present and future of flight training academies needs. Based on over 45 years of Embraer's experience in commercial aviation, the Phenom 100E is designed for high utilization, with modern integrated cockpit, smooth flight characteristics and low maintenance and operating costs, making it the ideal aircraft for training jet pilots. The Phenom 100E already operates in flight schools in Australia, the United States and Finland.

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The Alcantara Launch Center (CLA), located in Maranhao, successfully performed, this Thursday (12/11), the launch suborbital rocket simulation VS-40M V03 within the activities of Operation San Lorenzo.

After the test results, it is expected that the rocket launch to occur in early afternoon of Friday (13/11) in the CLA.

The purpose of the launch of the VS-40M is tested in suborbital flight, the Satellite Atmospheric Reentry (SARA), a platform to experiments in space, such as product development in the areas of engineering, electronics, embedded systems, among others. In the final stages of development, the SARA permit for scientific and technological studies of Brazilian researchers for up to ten days in microgravity.

The SARA is called load-useful VS-40M rocket V03. This platform will contain a component of the Navigation System (SISNAV) called System Inertial Measurement (SISMI). It will also be embedded in the vehicle a spatial application of GPS in qualifying, developed by the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), in cooperation with the Institute of Aeronautics and Space (IAE) and support of the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) .

All subsystems of the VS-40M V03 SARA may be employed in other vehicles launched by IAE. The VS-40M rocket V03 and SARA will be tracked by radar CLA. The SARA platform after landing on maritime restricted area on the transaction will be recovered by helicopter of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). Among the security measures, the air traffic of the vehicle dispersal area will be restricted.

Innovation - The experiment of UFRN, which is a GPS receiver for space application, its basic function accurately inform the position and velocity of a rocket or satellite into space. The main innovation is the increased ability to function at high altitudes and high speeds without losing the synchronism with the received signal from the GPS satellite constellation. The manufacture, integration and experimental tests are currently made by IAE. The GPS has been successful in several flights made in Brazil.

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