Embraer is working on a militarized version of its E190-E2 narrow-body airliner family, optimized as a special mission platform.
During the current edition of the Korea Army International Defense Exhibition (KADEX), the renowned Brazilian aerospace company began showcasing a concept of its E190-E2 aircraft configured for special missions, with potential variants for Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C), etc.
#Brazil‘s @embraer quietly shows off a concept image of a militarised E190-E2 narrowbody jet configured for special missions including airborne ISR, maritime patrol etc. Briliant move, targeting the gap between the usual business jets and 737/A330-sized platforms. #KADEX2024 pic.twitter.com/MKP0LNz4Xo
— Kelvin Wong (@PENxSWORD) October 4, 2024
Embraer has previous experience in the field, having demonstrated its ability to transform the ERJ 145 regional aircraft platform into special mission aircraft, achieving several commercial successes in this field. In Brazil, the Air Force has acquired five E-99 AEW&C units, equipped with the Swedish Erieye radar, and three R-99 ISRs for intelligence tasks. In Greece, the Hellenic Air Force operates four EMB-145-H airborne early warning aircrafts, also with Erieye radar. In Mexico, the Mexican Air Force uses an EMB-145-SA version for early warning missions (Erieye radar), while two EMB-145-RS/MP aircrafts are dedicated to maritime patrol and border intelligence operations. In addition, the Indian Air Force acquired three EMB-145-I aircraft, which were modified with a local AESA radar system under the Netra designation, to perform AEW&C missions.
The ERJ family, being out of production, has become technologically outdated for special missions, where the latest modified business and commercial aircraft models have set new standards. Faced with this scenario, Embraer seems to have redefined its strategy, presenting innovative proposals. The Preator P600 AEW&C, developed in partnership with IAI-Elta, targets the “low end” of the market. On the other hand, to compete in the “high end” against the E-7 and P-8, derived from the Boeing 737, the Brazilian company seeks to position its E190-E2 as an operationally more cost-effective alternative.
The Sea Sultan program, through which the Pakistan Navy seeks to convert up to 10 Embraer Lineage 1000 (VIP version of the E190) into naval patrol (MPA) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircrafts to replace its fleet of 6 P-3A Orion, could be taken as a precedent for the future E190-E2 special mission aircraft.
