Embraer / FMA CBA-123 Vector

Embraer / FMA CBA-123 Vector (IA-70 Parana)
Type:	Business jet
Design country:	Brazil Argentina
Manufacturer:	Embraer / Fábrica Militar de Aviones
First flight:	July 18, 1990
Number of pieces:	2 prototypes

The Embraer / FMA CBA 123 Vector was a project for a turboprop aircraft for the Brazilian Embraer and the Argentine Fábrica Militar de Aviones for 19 passengers. "CBA" stands for "Brazil-Argentina Cooperation". The aircraft was one of the most modern turboprop aircraft of all time, technologically at best comparable to the Dornier 328 .

history

From 1985 onwards it seemed that through the mediation of Mercosur the economic relationship between the countries of South America would grow. A year later, a project between the two states of Brazil and Argentina was the cooperation for a new aircraft from Embraer and FMA. The costs and the development of the aircraft were split between Embraer and FMA in a ratio of 2: 1.
The aircraft was developed as a high-tech turboprop that was to be certified under the rules of the Federal Aviation Regulations . Propellers should serve as the drive, which should be attached to the stern; this would therefore be a highly unusual and rare engine arrangement that should ensure good passenger comfort. Wings with a supercritical profile were used as the wings . Following the trend of the times, a glass cockpit and a fully digital engine controller were also installed.

The first prototype flew on July 18, 1990. The aircraft was presented to the public for the first time on July 30 of the same year. The then Presidents Fernando Collor de Mello (Brazil) and Carlos Menem (Argentina) were also present.

However, the project was not a lucky star and had to struggle with the same problems as the similar Dornier 328: Due to the high technology standard, the aircraft was simply too modern for the time and therefore too expensive - the price for an aircraft was at that time five million US dollars - and it was simply undersized for only 19 passengers.
The development of the Vector cost 300 million US dollars and two prototypes were built. However, the investments were not entirely in vain, as the new technologies helped Embraer save costs a few years later in the development of the Embraer ERJ-145 family aircraft program that followed the Vector .

Technical specifications

Parameter	Data
length	18.5 m
Wingspan	16.46 m
Wing area	40 m²
height	5.6 m
drive	Two Garrett AiResearch TPF351-20A turboprop engines
Maximum cruising speed	593 km / h
Range	1,610 km
Service ceiling	12,192 m
Empty mass	4,900 kg
Max. Takeoff weight	7,711 kg
capacity	19 passengers

See also

• List of aircraft types

literature

• Mark Lambert, Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1991-92, pp. 124. ISBN 978-0-7106-0965-6

Web links

Commons : Embraer-FMA CBA-123 Vector / IA-70 Parana  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

• Embraer homepage
• Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina homepage
• Photos of the Vector on airliners.net (English)