Embraer, BAE Systems Sign MoU to Develop Defence Variant of Eve’s eVTOL Vehicle

Embraer and BAE Systems agreed to jointly develop a defence variant of Eve’s electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle.

At the Farnborough Airshow, two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed between the two companies. The first MoU aims to establish a strategic partnership between BAE Systems and Embraer to collaborate in markets in which BAE Systems has a significant presence, including selected markets in the Middle East, for example, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The second MoU confirms an intent to create a joint venture to develop a defence variant of Eve’s electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle. 

The C-390 Millennium and its air-to-air refuelling configuration, the KC-390, are the new generation of multi-role military transport aircraft already delivering unrivalled mobility and cargo capacity, rapid re-configurability, high availability, improved comfort and flight safety, as well as reduced operational costs through its life cycle — all in a single platform.

For the eVTOL collaboration, the companies intend to create a joint venture that will bring together the complementary skills of Embraer and BAE Systems to pursue the potential development of a defence variant, with Eve being the platform provider. 

“Teams from BAE Systems and Embraer will continue working together to explore how the aircraft, designed for the urban mobility market, can provide cost-effective, sustainable and adaptable capability as a defence variant,” said Jackson Schneider, President and CEO, Embraer Defense & Security.

In December 2021, BAE Systems and Embraer revealed plans to work together on the development of the Eve eVTOL aircraft as a potential defence variant.