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Embraer E195-E2 aircraft parked on tarmac during daylight operations

Image: Marcos Corrêa/PR · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

Military/DefenseBy The Touch & Go EditorialPublished Jul 26, 1:15 PM3 min read

Embraer Reports Record $34.5 Billion Order Backlog in Q2 2026, Driven by Commercial and Defense Growth

Brazilian aerospace leader Embraer has achieved a seventh consecutive quarterly record backlog of $34.5 billion driven by strong demand across commercial aviation, executive jets, defense, and services.

The gist

Embraer sets a new $34.5 billion backlog record in Q2 2026, propelled by global sales of E2 jets, C-390 transports, and growing services contracts.

Continuing coverage

All Commercial Aviation

Embraer has once again raised its order backlog record to a new high, reaching $34.5 billion in the second quarter of 2026. This milestone marks the seventh consecutive quarter of growth, reflecting robust global demand for the Brazilian manufacturer's diverse aerospace portfolio. The backlog increased 7% from the first quarter of 2026 and 16% year-over-year compared to Q2 2025, underscoring broad-based interest across Embraer's commercial, executive, defense, and services sectors.

The commercial aviation segment accounted for a significant portion of the backlog with $15.1 billion, posting a 15% increase from the prior year. Key contributions came from a firm order of 15 E195-E2 regional jets placed by Azorra, pushing the E2 family’s total firm orders beyond 500 units worldwide. This order book expansion highlights the continuing attractiveness of Embraer’s newest generation of regional jets, which feature efficient operating costs and advanced performance.

Additional commercial momentum was generated around the Farnborough Airshow, where Embraer announced several deals. These included new orders from airlines such as Binter Canarias, Luxair, and Fuji Dream Airlines, alongside a notable agreement with Abra Group for up to 45 additional E195-E2 aircraft. Furthermore, Embraer signed a memorandum of understanding with Azorra for up to 30 E-Freighters, signaling growth in the cargo conversion market segment. The commercial division achieved an impressive 1.8 times book-to-bill ratio over the past 12 months, indicating strong demand relative to deliveries.

Embraer’s executive aviation division also showed healthy growth with a $7.8 billion backlog, a 5% rise over the same period last year. The segment benefited from recent certifications of the Praetor 600E and Praetor 500E models by the ANAC (Brazilian aviation authority), FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), and EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency). These approvals enhance the Praetor family’s market appeal and support the unit’s 1.1 times book-to-bill ratio, reflecting steady sales in the business jet market.

The defense and security sector delivered outstanding results, with backlog figure soaring 42% year-over-year to $6.1 billion. A landmark contract with the United Arab Emirates for the C-390 Millennium multi-mission transport aircraft was a standout achievement. This deal illustrates the growing international traction for Embraer’s military offerings, particularly the versatile C-390 platform known for its payload, range, and adaptability across defense missions.

Services and support emerged as a pillar of sustained revenue growth, reaching a record $5.5 billion backlog, up 12% from the previous year. Notable contracts such as a long-term maintenance and support agreement with Canadian carrier Jazz Aviation underscore Embraer’s strategic emphasis on aftermarket services. This expanding services backlog provides a recurring revenue stream and long-term financial stability beyond aircraft sales.

Operationally, Embraer delivered 65 aircraft during Q2 2026, comprising 20 commercial jets and 45 executive aircraft. This represents a 48% increase over Q1 and marks the strongest second-quarter delivery total for the company in 16 years. These deliveries align with Embraer’s full-year 2026 guidance forecast of 80-85 commercial aircraft and 160-170 executive jets, supported by production levelling initiatives and a healthy order pipeline.

The record backlog growth occurs amid a rising global demand for more efficient regional jets and versatile defense platforms. The E2 family’s modern design enables lower fuel consumption and operational costs, appealing to airlines looking to update aging regional fleets. Concurrently, the C-390 Millennium builds international credibility as a multi-role solution, enhancing Embraer’s presence in the defense market.

Production slots remain available through 2030, which positions Embraer to capitalize on ongoing order intake and continue its expansion across market segments. The company has reaffirmed its delivery targets for 2026 and maintains a focus on innovation, sustainability initiatives, and building global partnerships. These latest results confirm Embraer’s rising prominence as a pivotal manufacturer in the global aerospace industry.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the value of Embraer's order backlog reported for Q2 2026?
Embraer's order backlog for the second quarter of 2026 reached a record $34.5 billion, marking its seventh consecutive quarterly high.
Which Embraer aircraft families contributed most to the 2026 backlog growth?
The commercial E195-E2 regional jet family and the defense C-390 Millennium transport aircraft notably contributed to backlog growth, alongside executive Praetor jets.
How did Embraer's delivery performance in Q2 2026 compare to past quarters?
Embraer delivered 65 aircraft in Q2 2026, a 48% increase from the previous quarter, representing its strongest second-quarter delivery total in 16 years.
RAF Red Arrows jets performing an aerobatic maneuver in clear sky at an airshow
Military/DefenseJul 23, 8:12 PM

AirVenture 2026 Friday Highlights Include RAF Red Arrows and Modern Military Demos

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Which part of Friday's AirVenture airshow interests you most? The RAF Red Arrows Modern military demonstrations, including the F-35B and F-16 Warbirds, vintage aircraft, and the seaplane showcase I won't attend, but I'll follow the show remotely Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); gform.initializeOnLoaded( function() {gformInitSpinner( 1064, 'https://avweb.com/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/images/spinner.svg', true );jQuery('#gform_ajax_frame_1064').on('load',function(){var contents = jQuery(this).contents().find('*').html();var is_postback = contents.indexOf('GF_AJAX_POSTBACK') >= 0;if(!is_postback){return;}var form_content = jQuery(this).contents().find('#gform_wrapper_1064');var is_confirmation = jQuery(this).contents().find('#gform_confirmation_wrapper_1064').length > 0;var is_redirect =

Lockheed Martin missile system during daytime testing at a military facility
Military/DefenseJul 23, 1:32 PM

Lockheed Martin Q2 2026 earnings surge on eased prior contract losses and strong missile sales

Lockheed Martin's second-quarter earnings look much stronger than last year, largely because a set of one-time losses from 2025 didn't repeat this time around. The defense contractor reported second quarter 2026 sales of $20.1 billion, up 11% from $18.2 billion a year earlier, while net earnings jumped to $1.8 billion, or $7.94 per share, compared to just $342 million, or $1.46 per share, in the same quarter last year. Much of that swing traces back to a rough second quarter in 2025, when Lockheed absorbed $1.6 billion in program losses tied to a classified Aeronautics contract and two helicopter programs, Canada's Maritime Helicopter Program and Turkey's Utility Helicopter Program. With those losses behind it, this year's results look considerably stronger by comparison, though the company also saw genuine growth from higher production volumes, particularly on the F-35 program and various missile programs. Cash generation told a similar story. The company brought in $3.2 billion from operations this quarter, compared to just $201 million a year ago, while free cash flow came in at $2.9 billion versus a negative $150 million in the same period last year. A record backlog, and a defining new contract Lockheed's order backlog climbed to a record $230 billion, up from $193.6 billion at the end of 2025. A major driver behind that jump was a $35 billion multi-year contract with the Missile Defense Agency to produce THAAD interceptors, part of what Chairman, President and CEO Jim Taiclet described as a broader effort to modernize how the company builds munitions. "We took a major step forward in transforming munitions production, putting the framework agreements we announced earlier this year into action by signing a $35 billion multi-year contract with the Missile Defense Agency for THAAD," Taiclet said. He also pointed to the company's Sanctum counter-drone system, which went from concept to live-fire testing in just 45 days, combining a battle manager, radar, launcher, and missile into a single system. Taiclet added that Lockheed is also investing in expanding its manufacturing base, citing a collaboration with General Motors Defense in the US and an agreement with Rheinmetall to co-produce ATACMS missiles in Europe. How the different divisions performed Lockheed's four business segments, Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space, all posted sales growth this quarter, though the size of that growth varied. Missiles and Fire Control saw the steepest increase, with sales up 19% to $4.1 billion, driven largely by production increases on the PAC-3 and THAAD missile defense programs, along with the Precision Strike Missile program. Aeronautics grew 9% to $8.1 billion, helped by higher volume on F-35 production contracts, while Rotary and Mission Systems also grew 9%, to $4.4 billion, and Space grew 6% to $3.5 billion. Aircraft deliveries told a more mixed story. Lockheed delivered 19 F-35 jets during the quarter, down sharply from 50 a year earlier, while C-130J deliveries rose to seven from just one. Government helicopter program deliveries slipped slightly to 16, from 24 a year ago. Raising the outlook for the rest of the year Lockheed said the strength of its second quarter gave it enough confidence to raise its full-year financial guidance. The company now expects sales growth of approximately 8% for 2026, along with a 28% increase in segment operating profit and free cash flow projected to exceed $7 billion, up from earlier guidance. Taiclet tied the improved outlook directly to the company's broader strategy. "This continued performance reflects more than just increased customer demand – it is evidence that our 21st Century Security strategy, and its focus on integration, partnerships and operational excellence is working," he said, adding that the results give the company "confidence to raise our full year financial guidance."

C-17 Globemaster III tactical airlifter taxiing at a military base runway under clear sky
Military/DefenseJul 23, 5:00 AM

Boeing's Data-Driven Upgrade Set to Extend C-17 Globemaster Service Through 2075

The last McDonnell Douglas C-17 Globemaster III left the assembly line in 2015, and it is expected to remain a vital airlift platform of the US Air Force for decades to come. The last C-17 rolled out the doors just as Boeing absorbed the storied planemaker in one of the largest aerospace mergers in history. Now, as the caretaker of the Globemaster, Boeing is preparing to deliver a major upgrade through its new Aircraft Data Reasoner.

Archer launches autonomous Halo tiltrotor concept as compliment to Midnight
Military/DefenseJul 22, 9:50 AM

Archer unveils Halo, an autonomous hybrid tiltrotor for commercial and parapublic markets

The new uncrewed tiltrotor will target commercial cargo and parapublic customers as a complement to the Midnight passenger aircraft. Electric aircraft developer Archer Aviation has unveiled a new concept for an uncrewed tiltrotor aimed at commercial cargo and parapublic operators. Revealed at the 2026 Farnborough air show, the Halo is a complement to the Thunder armed tiltrotor announced earlier at the Farnborough show by Archer and US defence start-up Anduril Industries. Both rotorcraft will use a common design, structure and drivetrain, all of which will be assembled by Archer. Airframes destined to become Thunder variants will be turned over to Anduril for militarisation, while Archer will handle Halo production entirely in-house. California-based Archer is best known for its developmental Midnight design – a multi-rotor, fully electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) passenger craft that is still in the certification process. Corporate leaders in the eVTOL sector, including Archer, are on the hunt for alternative lines of business to the urban air mobility passenger market, which has been slow to develop. Defence was an early target, but it turned out that militaries had limited use for all-electric aircraft. Enter the pivot to hybrid-electric. “The feedback was there really isn’t a mission for a battery-electric e VTOL that solves a defence problem today,” says Archer’s chief technology officer, Tom Muniz. “I f we could solve some of the sort of range limitations that come with battery electric, there are some really interesting things that we could do.” Other eVTOL competitors, including Beta Technologies and Joby Aviation, have similarly unveiled hybrid-electric derivatives of their original battery-powered designs, partnering with established defence players to court military business. In Archer’s case, Muniz says the company was approached by Anduril to partner on a hybrid VTOL “t o address a very specific defence requirement set”. That co-development agreement generated both the Thunder and Halo. Although the Halo design will be commercially focused like Midnight, Muniz says that’s where the similarities end. “While Midnight [moves] people in and around cities or congested areas, with a pilot on board, t his new aircraft is autonomous, has a hybrid powertrain for very long range and substantially more payload and speed,” Muniz says. Concept renderings show a large fuselage with a roughly similar outer mould shape to the Bell-Boeing V-22 or Bell MV-75 tiltrotors. The Halo will use two wing-mounted nacelle assemblies that pivot up and down for transition between vertical and horizontal flight. However, the design will be far simpler than a conventional tiltrotor, owing to the use of electric motors rather than conventional turboshaft-powered rotors. “If you think about a vehicle like the V-22, there’s multiple gearboxes and power transmission shafts,” Muniz says. “For the Halo platform, it’s replaced by wires because it’s electric.” An onboard turboshaft engine will burn jet fuel, but that engine will be used to charge the electric drivetrain’s batteries, rather than directly powering the rotors. While commercial operations for Halo remain far off, initial flight testing will begin in the near future. Muniz says the design unveiled at Farnborough was finalised about a year ago, with prototyping now underway. “We’re now in the process of building the first flight articles for Halo,” he says. “ We’ll be in flight test next year.” The company sees support to offshore oil and gas operators, organ transplant flights, air cargo, medevac rescue flights, and search and rescue all as possible use cases for the hybrid tiltrotor.

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