Embraer — a global aerospace company that is headquartered in Brazil and has businesses in commercial and executive aviation, defence and security, and agricultural aviation — has successfully completed the initial structural fatigue tests of the wing that will be used in its New Technologies Demonstration Platform (PDNT).
The first phase of this project involves the development of processes and methods to support analysis in ‘ground test benches’. The structure of the reference model’s composite wings uses new production techniques and was subjected to progressive loads that subsequently exceeded more than 200% of the expected limit.
Cleiton Silva, Embraer’s vice president of technology and advanced projects, said: “We are excited about the evolution of the project, which brings together industry, government, and academia for the development of applied research that contributes to the generation of knowledge and people training. Technological innovations are fundamental to accelerating the sustainable aviation of the future and strengthening the competitiveness of Brazil’s industry.”
The static loading test was conducted at ACS Aviation, the demonstrator platform supplier and Embraer partner in São José dos Campos, Brazil. The test validated ‘innovative processes, methodologies, and new materials’. The next steps include manufacturing the ‘flying laboratory’s’ fuselage and empennage.