Embraer has completed the initial structural fatigue tests on the composite wing designed for its new technologies demonstration platform (PDNT), a major step forward in the company's innovation programme. The project is funded by Brazil's National Development, Scientific and Technological Funding (FNDCT), with support from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) and Finep, an organisation dedicated to promoting Brazil's scientific and technological development.
The PDNT initiative focuses on research and development at low and medium technology readiness levels (TRL), with industrial partners Alltec, Equatorial, Motora, and TecCer participating as co-executors. The project aims to pioneer new production techniques, materials and methodologies that will support future advancements in sustainable aviation and enhance Brazil's competitiveness in the aerospace sector.
The first phase centred on developing innovative processes to enable detailed structural analysis using ground test benches (RIGs). A reference model of the composite wing, built with advanced manufacturing techniques, was subjected to rigorous static loading tests. During testing at ACS Aviation in São José dos Campos, the wing endured progressive loads exceeding 200% of the expected operational limit, successfully validating both the structure and the new methods applied.
The next phase of the programme will involve producing the flying laboratory's fuselage and empennage, moving closer to flight testing. The project also benefits from the collaboration of Brazil's leading scientific and technological institutes, including 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 at the University of São Paulo (USP).
