Paul Lewis/RIO DE JANEIRO
Embraer is planning to roll out the first of five ERJ-145SA airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft later this month, along with the first ALX light attack version of the EMB-314 Super Tucano.
The aircraft form two of the three airborne systems that make up the $600 million Amazon surveillance programme (SIVAM) designed to protect the 13.5 million km2 (5.2 million miles2) Amazon region from smuggling and environmental damage.
The AEW aircraft is equipped with a dorsal-mounted Ericsson Erieye E/F-band side-looking radar, a Watkins Johnson passive listening system and three multifunction control consoles. The first jet is scheduled for delivery to the Brazilian air force 6th aviation group's 2nd squadron at Anapolis in late 2000.
The recently ordered Greek AEW version will differ slightly in that it will be fitted with Thomson-CSF electronic support measures, alternative communications, a NATO standard datalink and inflight refuelling. Embraer hopes to finalise a deal for four aircraft and two options this month.
Brazil, in addition to the ERJ-145SA and ALX interdiction turboprop, has ordered three ERJ-145RS remote sensing aircraft to provide surface surveillance. The aircraft, the first of which is to roll out at the end of the year, "will be a true environmental protection system", says Embraer senior manager Anastacio Katsanos. Sensors will include a belly-mounted MacDonald Dettwiler synthetic aperture radar for ground mapping, a FLIR Systems Star Safir TV infrared imaging system packaged in a turret and a 32-band multi-spectrum sensor to detect deforestation and river pollution. Both ERJ-145 versions will have datalink connections to ground controllers and ALX strike aircraft.
Embraer is also considering adapting the ERJ-145RS's under fuselage SAR housing to accommodate other large antenna sensors, including a maritime surveillance radar. A VIP version of the shortened ERJ-135 is being offered to the Brazilian air force fitted with the AEW version's auxiliary aft fuselage fuel tanks to extend the jet's range to 4,440km (2,400nm).
Ericsson is targeting more sales of up to 20 Erieye-equipped ERJ-145 AEW aircraft to Europe, the Far East and Latin America, while Embraer is studying development of new military versions of the jet.
Ericsson is chasing orders in five countries "representing some 20 systems", according to Bertil Hellstrom, international business development vice-president. He will not identify the nations concerned, but they are believed to include South Korea and Mexico. The latter is looking for a patrol and drug interdiction aircraft similar to the Brazilian system.
Source: Flight International
