Brazil Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in brazil, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Hypersonic
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Overview 

The hypersonic sector in Brazil is mainly focused on the development of the hypersonic propulsion project “14-X PropHiper”. The project is administered by the Brazilian Institute of Advanced Studies (IEAV) and the Department of Aerospace Science and Technology (DCTA) in partnership with the Brazilian defense industry. The 14-X program aims to utilize scramjet technology and a “waverider” design to achieve high speeds and potentially be used for satellite deployment, suborbital flights, and even future military applications. The project originated in 2008 had its first launch test from the Brazilian Alcantara Space Center located in Maranhão, Northeast of Brazil in 2021.  

Recently, FINEP – Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos, Funding Authority for Studies and Projects from the Ministry of Science and Technology approved a US$15 M dollars loan to finance a Brazilian company to develop and to build a Rocket Assisted Take-off RATO-14X. This rocket will support 14-X to reach its minimal speed and initiate its scramjet engine to achieve the Match 10 speed. The development of hypersonic technology is critical for Brazil, and it is part of Brazil’s New Industrial Plan to promote Brazil’s industrial development and stimulate innovation and sustainability in strategic sectors for the country.  

Leading Subsectors

Leading subsectors that represent the best opportunities in the hypersonic sector in Brazil might include propulsion, aerodynamics and control and materials such as composites, carbon composites, coatings, titanium-aluminides, ceramic-matrix composites, high thermal conductivity materials including cooper matrix composites.

Opportunities

There may be opportunities for U.S. companies to supply material for the hypersonic sector in Brazil. Most technologies and components used in the hypersonic sector are subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) regulations. U.S. companies should contact the U.S. Department of State and/or the Bureau of Industry and Security to learn about regulations and restrictions before engaging in any business transactions.  

Resources 

Principal entities working on the Brazilian space technology system sector and trade shows are:  

Brazilian Government    

Trade Associations 

  • ABIMDE – Brazilian Defense and Security Industries Association
  • AIAB – Aerospace Industries Association of Brazil
  • COMDEFESA/ FIESP – Department of Defense and Security / State of Sao Paulo Industry Federation

U.S. Government 

For more information, please contact U.S. Commercial Service Industry Specialist Daniele Andrews: Daniele.Andrews@trade.gov