Embraer E Jet E2 family

Development

In November 2011, Embraer announced that it would focus its attention on developing revamped versions of the E-Jet family, rather than an all-new aircraft, for the time being.

The new variants would be better-positioned to compete with the Bombardier CSeries, and would be powered by new engines with larger diameter fans that would offer improvements in specific fuel consumption, as well as slightly taller landing gear and possibly a new aluminum or carbon fiber-based wing. Embraer named this new development "the E-jets second generation".

The first E-Jet E2, an E190-E2, was rolled out on 25 February 2016 and made its maiden flight on 23 May in São José dos Campos. It flew 3:20 to Mach number 0.82, climbed to 41,000 feet, retracted the landing gear and flaps, and engaged the fly-by-wire in normal mode. It flew earlier than the previously anticipated second half of 2016: the program had fewer challenges than expected and introduction could happen in the first quarter of 2018. The plane is slightly below weight and the other two E190-E2 prototypes should fly within a year.

The second prototype made its maiden flight on July 8, 2016. The flight lasted 2h 55m without any incidents. The first E-Jet E2 flew from Brazil to Farnborough Airshow just 45 days after its maiden flight, demonstrating maturity and confidence on the design.

Design

GE Aviation, Pratt & Whitney, and Rolls-Royce were all possible engine suppliers. In January 2013, Embraer announced it had selected Pratt & Whitney's PW1000G Geared Turbofan engine as the exclusive power for its new second generation of the E-Jet aircraft family. Honeywell Primus Epic 2 was selected as the avionics package. Moog Inc was selected to supply the Primary Flight Control System.

Compared to the previous E-Jet family the E2 features a closed loop fly-by-wire control which – according to Embraer – reduces weight, increases fuel efficiency, enhances control and increases safety by full envelope protection in all flight phases. Analysts account the fuel savings of the now closed loop fly-by-wire control at 1.5% because of design changes possible due to the enhanced flight stability and the resulting increased lift (lower tail downward force) and weight savings and drag reductions related to the 26% reduction in the horizontal tail (tailplane) size.

The E2 family has a new wing and landing gear. In the E190-E2, of the 16% better fuel burn, 11% comes from the geared turbofan, 3.5% from the improved aerodynamics of the new high aspect ratio wing and 1.5% from the fly-by-wire, enabling a 250 ft.² horizontal stabilizer from 280 ft.² on the E190/195.

E175-E2

The E175-E2 model in the 80-seat range is the smallest in the E-Jet Second Generation family. The E175-E2 will be extended by one seat row from the E-175, by 0.6m and will seat up to 90 passengers. It was scheduled for first delivery in 2020 but entry into service is delayed by one year to 2021 as it will be over the scope clause weight limit as opposed to the current E175.

E190-E2

The E190-E2 will be the same size as the E-190, with up to 114 seats. The E190-E2 is expected to enter service in the first half of 2018.

E195-E2

The E195-E2 competes with the Bombardier CS100. In February 2016, Embraer announced that it had decided to lengthen the E195-E2's wingspan by 1.4 metres (4.6 ft) for greater lift, along with a 2 t (4,400 lb) MTOW increase to extend its range by 450 nmi (830 km) at sea-level starts, and 250 nmi (460 km) in hot and high conditions.

The variant rolled out on 7 March 2017 and Azul was confirmed as its launch operator. Embraer expects to enter flight testing later, ahead of the previously scheduled second half of the year, plans to showcase the prototype at the June Paris air show and to enter service in the first half of 2019. It will be extended by three seat rows from the E-195 by 2.85m, and will accommodate up to 144 seats.

Orders

Embraer officially launched the Embraer E-Jet E2 program during the 50th International Paris Air Show. The program was launched with launch customers North American regional airline SkyWest Airlines and leasing company ILFC. Skywest is the launch customer of the Embraer E175-E2, with the airline firming up 100 Embraer E175-E2 aircraft, with another 100 Purchase Rights of the same type, which brings the total potential of the order to 200 aircraft. This order alone is valued at US$9.36 Billion. ILFC is the launch customer for the Embraer E190-E2, and Embraer E195-E2, with the lessor signing a Letter of Intent (LOI) for 100 total. The potential order consists of 25 firm and 25 options for the Embraer E190-E2, and 25 firm and 25 options for the E195-E2. Embraer has also signed LOIs for a total of 65 E-Jet E2s from unnamed customers in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. The LOIs are split between 15 firm and 50 options for the aircraft.

One month after the Paris Air Show, ILFC signed a firm order for 50 E-Jets E2s (25 E190-E2s and 25 E195-E2s), with an option for 25 E190-E2s and 25 E195-E2s, bringing the potential order to up to 100 aircraft.

On February 13, 2014, Indian carrier Air Costa announced a firm order for 50 E-Jets E2s with an option for 50 more. The firm order includes 25 E190-E2s and 25 E195-E2s, and the options are for 25 E190-E2s and 25 E195-E2s. With this order, the total of E-Jets E2 orders reaches to 200 firm and 200 options/purchase rights since the launch of the E2 program.

During the week of the 2014 Farnborough International Airshow, Brazilian low cost carrier Azul Brazilian Airlines announced an order for EJet-E2s.Azul signed an LOI for 50 Embraer E195-E2s (30 firm, 20 options).

On July 17, 2014, Hainan Airlines subsidiary Tianjin Airlines announced a firm order for 20 Embraer E190-E2s, with an option for 20 more of the same type.

On January 16, 2017, Widerøe announced a firm order for 3 Embraer E190-E2s, with an option for 12 more E2-series aircraft. The potential price is US$873 million, but this is not confirmed by Widerøe.

Firm orders