Alcoa (IW500/50) has a new long-term contract to supply aluminum sheet and plate materials to Embraer S.A. for its new E-Jets E2 regional aircraft, which are scheduled for a commercial debut in 2018. The agreement, reportedly worth $470 million, will make Alcoa the exclusive supplier of wing skins and fuselage sheet material.
Alcoa described the agreement as a multi-year contract, though the specific terms were not released.
The Embraer E-Jet E2 series is a series of narrow-body, medium-range, twin-engine jets developed to replace the Brazilian OEM’s current E-Jet family, and to improve fuel-efficiency with larger jet engines. Pratt & Whitney’s PW1000G geared turbofan engines are the power source. Embraer developed the new series to replace its current E-Jet design, and promises 16-24% lower fuel burn and 15-25% lower maintenance cost, per seat.
In May, Embraer completed a successful first flight for the E190-E2 aircraft, the midsized variant in the E-Jets E2 series.
Alcoa noted it also is supplying a variety of aluminum parts to Pratt & Whitney for those new engines, including a proprietary forged fan blade.
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