AKAER, an aerospace engineering company and innovation leader, has been selected by German OEM Deutsche Aircraft to manufacture the forward fuselage of the D328eco, the 40-seat sustainable turboprop aircraft for the regional aviation market. AKAER will be responsible for the serial manufacture of the forward fuselage, including industrialization, tooling, prototyping and related studies.
Collaboration and commitment
AKAER’s agreement with Deutsche Aircraft is a significant achievement that strengthens its position in the global aerospace industry. Its capabilities in all aspects, from design engineering activities to the complete assembly of the forward fuselage, were considered decisive differentiators by Deutsche Aircraft. AKAER is capable of designing and supplying large structural assemblies to the aerospace industry worldwide, and now becomes the first Brazilian Tier 1 Global Supplier.
“The D328eco represents a significant milestone in global aviation, with more sustainable and efficient flights. Akaer is proud to be part of this important project, playing a key role in the production of the forward fuselage and consolidating our position as a Tier 1 company,” said CAA Silva.
“The commitment and experience demonstrated by Akaer throughout this process were fundamental in our decision making. Akaer is a major player in the Brazilian aerospace industry, which is why we are excited about our partnership on this project for the forward fuselage, which is a milestone in the D328eco program,” emphasized Dave Jackson, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft.
“This collaboration underscores Akaer’s recognition of excellence, backed by its 32 years of experience in the aviation industry. The selection process was meticulous, where we valued Akaer’s commitment, customer focus and experience, key factors in securing this significant project for the D328eco program.” commented Maximilan Fahr, Vice President of Supply Chain at Deutsche Aircraft.
An expanding aviation market
Brazil has the 5th largest airspace in the world and is currently focused on expanding regional aviation. Many investments will be made to connect the entire territory by air, and this collaboration will contribute to boosting Brazilian initiatives aimed at improving experience and capacity in both regional aviation and aerospace manufacturing.
With the second largest general aviation fleet in the world, Brazil has significant potential to adopt the versatile D328eco configuration, capable of meeting the diverse demands of executive, aeromedical and agricultural aviation. In the last 10 years, the turboprop market share in Brazil has grown remarkably, reaching an increase of 344%.
The remarkable versatility of the D328eco’s multifunctional configuration allows it to be adapted to a variety of operations, including passenger transportation, rescue missions, military operations, forest firefighting and aeromedical services. Its exceptional flight characteristics and adaptability make it possible to access destinations with short, unpaved runways, even in challenging weather conditions.
The D328eco has the lowest fuel consumption and pollutant emissions in the sector. It will be fully compatible with 100% SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel), and other fuel blends, which means that the aircraft will offer customers maximum flexibility when it comes to energy supply options.
The first D328eco forward fuselage is scheduled for delivery at the end of 2025 and will be produced in Brazil, initially at AKAER’s São José dos Campos – SP plant.
About Akaer
With 32 years of experience, AKAER has accumulated more than 8 million engineering hours dedicated to the development of aircraft systems and structures, actively participating in more than 50 globally recognized projects.
The company has a long history of cooperation with Embraer, having worked on the Brazilian manufacturer’s main projects in recent decades – including the KC-390 freighter.
It also played an important role in the development of Gripen E fighters for the Brazilian Air Force, in partnership with Sweden’s SAAB. Recently, it took part in the Hürjet supersonic fighter project, launched by TAI (Turkish Aerospace Industry) – the aircraft, designed for advanced training and light attack actions by the Turkish Air Force, where it made its maiden flight in April 2023.
AKAER is based in São José dos Campos (SP), in the Technological Innovation Park, and has commercial offices in Portugal and Turkey. The company recently announced the establishment of its second production unit in the future Aerospace Technology Park of Bahia, in Salvador.
About Deutsche Aircraft
Deutsche Aircraft is a German aircraft manufacturer built on the heritage of aviation pioneers that continues to drive the industry forward with innovative solutions. Backed by a highly qualified and passionate team of international engineers and aviation experts, Deutsche Aircraft is developing the most advanced regional aircraft on the market: the D328eco. As the type certificate owner and service provider for existing D328 operators (turboprop and jets) around the world, the company is in a unique position to augment its existing fleet with this state-of-the-art aircraft.
Deutsche Aircraft uses the latest technologies and best practices to ensure the highest levels of reliability, efficiency and sustainability for the D328eco. As a strategic partner in the sustainable development of regional air transport, Deutsche Aircraft collaborates with key industry players to achieve climate-neutral flights.