Embraer/FMA CBA 123 Vector
Embraer / FMA · Brazil · first flew 1990 · airliner
The CBA 123 Vector was a joint Brazilian-Argentine 19-seat pressurised regional airliner with a radical pusher turboprop configuration, placing the engines at the rear of the fuselage facing rearward. Despite advanced design, it failed to attract orders and was cancelled.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboprop, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Pusher turboprop engines mounted at the rear fuselage — unusual for a regional turboprop |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Pusher turboprop engines mounted at the rear fuselage — unusual for a regional turboprop
- 19-seat pressurised regional commuter
- Joint Brazilian-Argentine development
The rear-mounted pusher turboprops with contra-rotating propellers facing aft are the key identifying feature — entirely unlike any production regional turboprop. The clean low wing and pressurised fuselage give it a business aircraft appearance.
Specifications
- The Embraer/FMA CBA 123 Vector has a length of 18.5 m (61 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 16.46 m (54 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 600 km/h (373 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 pilots + up to 19 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed jointly by Embraer (Brazil) and FMA (Argentina's Fábrica Argentina de Aviones) in the late 1980s as a next-generation regional transport, the CBA 123 first flew in 1990. Two prototypes were built and the aircraft demonstrated impressive performance, but the unit cost was too high for commuter operators who instead opted for established turboprops. The programme was cancelled in 1992 with no production aircraft sold.
Variants
Two prototypes only; no production variants were completed.
Where you'll see it
Never entered airline service; both prototypes were used for development and demonstration flying only.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.