Embraer conducts maiden test flight of Indian AWACS aircraft
08 Dec 2011
Hyderabad: Brazilian aerospace manufacturer, Embraer, contracted to supply three platforms for India's Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) project, has announced that the first aircraft scheduled for delivery has successfully conducted its maiden test flight.
The company is contracted to supply three EMB 145 aircraft, which have been chosen as the platform for the country's indigenous effort to develop its own AEW&C system.
A release from Sao Jose do Campos, the company headquarters said ''All the planned tests were successful''.
The flight indicates a likely delivery in the first half of 2012 for the first aircraft, said Eduardo Bonini Santos Pinto, senior vice-president operations-Embraer Defence and Security.
The Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), Bangalore the nodal lab of the Defence Research & Development Organisation is developing the advanced electronic systems, which will be installed in the aircraft and operated by the Indian Air Force.
The deal with Embraer for the supply of three aircraft was secured in 2008.