e190 e2 special missions
For some time, Embraer exploited its business jets as platforms for military sensor packages. This segment is tiny compared to the commercial sector but has an especially attractive customer base. Customers for these aircraft types are less driven by budget than program capabilities. These customers are government militaries with big budgets.
For example, the U.S. Army picked Sierra Nevada Corporation in August to lead its High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System program, part of overhauling the service’s aging intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance fleet. Using a Bombardier Global 6500 as the platform, Sierra Nevada won a contract worth $94m, and a potential for this to reach $1Bn. Gulfstream’s G550 has been the platform for several special mission aircraft. Here is an example from Sweden’s air force.
Embraer’s business jet, the EMB-145, is used for an AEW&C or AWACS (Airborne Early Warning and Control) platform known as the E-99. It is an aircraft AWACS system with the capacity for independent monitoring and air traffic control. Below is the AWACS version of the ERJ-145, also known as the R-99. This model comes in several variants. Customers include Brazil, Mexico, Greece, and India.
With this backdrop, Embraer announced a new platform for sensor packages based on the E190-E2. The image was displayed at Defense Expo in South Korea this week.
Potential variants include maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), and Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C). The interesting aspect is that Embraer is proven to deliver a sensor platform that effectively competes with other business jet-based platforms.
However, using the E2 as a platform takes this capability to a new level. Now, Embraer can add more sensor packages so that the E2 version can offer more than one specific capability. In other words, the E2 version can probably compete in several ways with Boeing’s P-8.  That is a big deal because the P-8 and Wedgetail aircraft are pricey, and customers can afford them only on a big budget.
Pakistan’s navy developed the Sea Sultan program by converting Embraer Lineage 1000 (the E190 as a business jet) into an MPA and ASW platform. These aircraft, of which ten are planned, will replace its six P-3As. The path is more straightforward than may be recognized. Whereas the Sea Sultan is using Leonardo as the sensor contractor, it is interesting to note that Italy selected the G-550 as a platform for its EA-37B EW suite, the same as the USAF’s 37B Compass Call and using BAE as the primary contractor. The estimated cost is $680m. Crucially, Italy is not using locally-based Leonardo.
This means that Embraer’s decision to use the E190-E2 is an intelligent move. As a platform, the E190 is bigger than the business jets already in special service. Bigger means greater sensor capabilities, which is a key feature. Moreover, Embraer is already a serious player in the defense business. This means that while the E190-E2 platform can host other sensor packages, it can also offer Embraer-developed sensor packages.
Embraer’s setting up of the E190-E2 as a sensor platform offers customers a very interesting option. We mentioned Boeing above. Airbus offers the C-295 as a maritime patrol solution, which is no threat to Embraer. Airbus has also toyed with an A319 or A320-based solution. Even the A220 platform could be useful. Embraer seems to be ahead of Airbus to compete with Boeing.
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