Boeing and Embraer signed a new partnership centering on the use of an Embraer E170 regional jet as a so-called ecoDemonstrator, the companies announced on Thursday. Serving as a flying testbed for advanced environmental technologies, the E170 will undergo operational testing in Brazil in August and September. The jet serves as the fourth such platform in Boeing’s long-running ecoDemonstrator program, the last of which—a Thomson Airways Boeing 757—finished testing last year.
Plans call for the ecoDemonstrator flights to test several technologies aimed at reducing carbon emissions, fuel consumption and noise. They include LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), which uses lasers to measure air data parameters such as true airspeed, angle of attack and outside air temperature. The technology shows potential to increase air data reliability by complementing current sensors, which could lead to further innovations that improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, according to Boeing.
The partners also plan to test an “ice phobic” paint designed to reduce icing and help prevent accumulation of dirt and bugs due to its low adhesive properties. The special paint can also help operators save water by reducing the need for frequent aircraft washing.
Further testing will involve a new wing design with improved slats to reduce noise on takeoff and approach, while special sensors and air visualization techniques near the wing surface help engineers better understand in-flight aerodynamics.
The partners plan to conduct the flights using a Brazilian-produced biofuel blend made up of 10 percent bio-kerosene and 90 percent fossil kerosene, the maximum mixture allowed under international standards. Studies have shown that aviation biofuel emits 50 to 80 percent lower carbon emissions through its life cycle than fossil jet fuel.
The ecoDemonstrator collaboration expands a relationship that began in 2012, when Boeing and Embraer signed an agreement to cooperate on research and development efforts. Since then, Boeing has supported Embraer’s KC-390 medium-lift military transport, and the two companies have worked on improving runway safety by providing commercial customers with tools to reduce runway excursions. Last year Boeing and Embraer opened a joint biofuel research center in São José dos Campos to perform biofuel research and coordinate research with Brazilian universities and other institutions.
