Esterline Control Systems, based in Sylmar, Calif., was selected by Embraer Defense and Security to supply the thrust control quadrant assembly for the KC-390 military transport/tanker program. There are letters of intention for 60 aircraft to date from the Brazilian air force and other countries.
Esterline will be supplying the thrust control quadrant assemblies, which allows the pilot to automatically control the engine thrust and aircraft speed. It can be operated manually, or with the autopilot, and interfaces directly with the full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and the aircraft avionics, according to Esterline.
The KC-390 is scheduled for delivery to the Brazilian air force from late 2015. Esterline will deliver hardware for the life of the program.