Embraer and the Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos (Finep), which promotes Brazil's economic and social development through public funding for Science, Technology and Innovation, have signed an agreement for the development of platforms to demonstrate new aeronautical technologies.
The formalisation of the partnership focused on sharing the costs and risks inherent in research and development at a low and medium Technology Readiness Level (TRL), took place during the ceremony celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Aerospace Industries Association of Brazil (AIAB) in São José dos Campos, interior of São Paulo.
The innovation project, which uses resources from non-reimbursable funding originating from the National Development, Scientific and Technological Funding (FNDCT), is valued at more than R$ 180 million (US$ 36 million) and will receive a contribution of R$ 120 million (US$ 24 million) from Finep over the next three years. Complementary resources will come in return from the proposing company, Embraer, as well as from five co-executors: Alltec, Equatorial, Eleb, Motora and TecCer. The contract provides for the development of ground test benches (RIGs), software, and a remotely operated modular aircraft to carry out tests in real flight conditions, aiming to raise the TRL of these new technologies.
To compose the project, Institutes of Science and Technology will be contracted, such as the Technological Institute of Aeronautics (ITA), the Mauá Institute of Technology (IMT), the Institute of Technological Research (IPT) and the School of Engineering of São Carlos, which belongs to the University of São Paulo (USP), further strengthening the relationship between Government, Academia and Industry – the triple helix that drives the socioeconomic development of the country.
The granting of economic subsidy for innovation in companies is a government policy instrument widely used in developed countries and operated according to the norms of the World Trade Organization. The objective is to promote a significant increase in innovation activities and increase the competitiveness of companies and the country's economy. (£1.00 = US$1.26 / RS6.32)
