Embraer S.A. informed its shareholders and the market that the Board of Directors approved a three-year pause in its E175-E2 jet development program.
As in previous years, the re-programing of activities is associated with the ongoing US mainline scope clause discussions with the pilot unions regarding the maximum take-off weight (MTOW) limitation for aircraft with up to 76 seats, together with current global market conditions for commercial aviation and the continuing interest in the current E175 jet in the US market.
The Company said it expects to resume the program development activities following the aforementioned period, which will result in a re-programming of the aircraft entry into service between 2027 and 2028. In keeping with its strategy of innovation and growth, the Company will maintain its shareholders and the market duly informed about new material information relating to the transaction.
Ambitious E175-E2 Jet development Program
The first prototype of the E175-E2 was completed in April 2019. At the time, Embraer said that the rollout would be scheduled for November, with the maiden flight taking place before the end of the year, for a 2021 entry date. COVID-19 was just around the corner.
Embraer selected the Pratt & Whitney PW1700G engine to power the E175 E2, and was expected to enter service in 2021. The Brazilian aerospace giant then rescheduled the entry-into-service of the E175-E2 from 2021 twice, and now targets 2027and 2028 entry. This depends on US pilot unions relaxing an airplane weight restriction in the labor contracts. The E175-E2 weight exceeds that allowed in the contracts
Last year in December, Pratt & Whitney and Embraer agreed to suspend further development and production of the PW1700G for three years, according to LNA news.
Improved E2 aircraft design
To reduce the fuel consumption, emissions, noise and maintenance costs, the wings of the E2 have a high-aspect ratio and feature an advanced aerodynamic design.
The paused development is happening to the smallest one ! The length of the three E2 variants E175-E2, E190-E2, and E195-E2 is planned to be respectively 32.3m , 36.2m , and 41.5m , whereas, the heights will respectively be 9.98m , 11m , and 10.9m .
While the smaller version E175-E2 was to be fitted with two PW1700G engines, with a thrust rating of about 15,000lbf, the E190-E2 and E195-E2 was planned to be fitted with two PW1900G engines with a thrust rating of 22,000lbf .
