EMB 314 / A-29 Super Tucano
Brazilian Air Force A-29B
Role	Counter-insurgency and pilot training
Manufacturer	Embraer
First flight	2 June 1999
Introduction	2003
Status	In production
Primary users	Brazilian Air Force Colombian Air Force Dominican Air Force Ecuadorian Air Force Chilean Air Force
Produced	2003-present
Number built	158[1]
Unit cost	$9-14 million[2] $430-500/hour (Operational Cost)[3][4]
Developed from	Embraer EMB 312 Tucano

The Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, also named ALX or A-29 is a turboprop aircraft designed for light attack, counter insurgency (COIN), close air support, aerial reconnaissance missions in low threat environments, as well as providing pilot training. Designed to operate in high temperature and humidity conditions in extremely rugged terrain, the Super Tucano is highly maneuverable, has a low heat signature, incorporates 4th generation avionics and weapons system to deliver precision guided munitions. It is currently in service with the air forces of Brazil, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile and Burkina Faso, and has been ordered by Indonesia, Angola, and Mauritania.

Design and development[link]

Embraer EMB-312G1 prototype

On the mid 80's Embraer was working on the Short Tucano alongside a new version designed EMB-312G1, carring the same Garrett engine. The EMB-312G1 prototype flew for the first time in July 1986. However, the project was dropped because the Brazilian Air Force was not interested in the project. Nonetheless, the lessons from recent combat use of the aircraft on Peru and Venezuela, led Embraer keep up the studies. Besides a trainer, it was researched a helicopter attack version designed “Helicopter killer” or EMB-312H.^[5] The study was stimulated by the unsuccessful bid for the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) program. A proof-of-concept prototype, the PT-ZTW flew for the first time in September 1991, the aircraft features a 1.37-meter (4.49-ft) fuselage extension with the addition of sections before and after of the cockpit to restore its center of gravity and stability, a strengthened airframe, cockpit pressurization and stretched nose to house the more powerful PT6A-67R (1.424 Shp) engine. Two new prototypes with PT6A-68A (1.250 Shp) engine were build in 1993. The second prototype flew for the first time in May 1993 and the third prototype flew in October 1993.^[6]

The request for a light attack aircraft was part of the Brazilian government's SIVAM (Amazon Surveillance System) Project. This aircraft would fly with the R-99A and R-99B aircraft currently in service and would be responsible for intercepting illegal aircraft flights and patrolling Brazil's borders. The ALX Project was then created by the Brazilian Air Force, which was also in need of a military trainer to replace the Embraer EMB 326GB Xavante. The project of the new aircraft was suited to the Amazon region (high temperature, moisture, and precipitation; low threat). The ALX was then specified as a turboprop engine aircraft with a long range and autonomy, able to operate in night and day, in any meteorological conditions, and able to land on short airfields lacking infrastructure.

A-29B structural fatigue test

In August 1995, the Brazilian Ministry of Aeronautics awarded Embraer a $50 million contract for ALX development. Two EMB-312H were updated to serve as ALX prototypes. These made their initial flights in their new configuration in 1996 and 1997, respectively. The initial flight of a production-configured ALX, further modified from one of the prototypes, occurred in 2 June 1999. The second prototype brought up to two-seater configuration and performing its first flight on 22 October 1999. The changes had been so considerable that the type was given a new designation, the "EMB-314 Super Tucano".^[6]

First Brazilian Air Force Super Tucano

The aircraft differs from the baseline EMB-312 Tucano trainer aircraft in several crucial respects. It is powered by a more powerful 1,600 shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68C engine (compared with the 750 shp powerplant of the EMB-312); has a strengthened airframe to sustain higher g loads and to increase the aircraft's fatigue life (to 18,000-12,000 hours in operational environments); and reinforced landing gear to handle greater takeoff weights with a heavier stores load, now up to 1,550 kilograms (3,300 pounds); Kevlar armour protection; fit comprises a .50 calibre machine gun (with 200 rounds of ammunition); capacity to carry a variety of ordnance on five weapon hardpoints including Giat NC621 20 mm cannon pods, Mk 81/82 bombs, MAA-1 Piranha air-to-air missiles (AAMs), BLG-252 cluster bombs and SBAT-70/19 or LAU-68A/G rocket pods on its underwing stations; and has a night-vision goggle (NVG)-compatible "glass cockpit" with hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) controls; provision for a datalink; a video camera and recorder; an embedded mission-planning capability; forward-looking infrared (FLIR); chaff/flare dispensers; missile approach warning receiver systems (MAWS) and radar warning receivers (RWRs).^[7]

In 1996, Embraer selected the Israeli firm Elbit Systems to supply the mission avionics for the ALX. For this contract, Elbit was chosen over GEC-Marconi and Sextant Avionique. The Israeli company supplies such equipment as the mission computer, head-up displays, and navigation and stores management systems.^[8]

On 13 October 2010, the Super Tucano A-29B has passed the mark of 48,000 hours since 21 July 2005 on full scale wing-fuselage structural fatigue test, conducted by the Aeronautical Systems Division (ASA), part of the Aeronautics and Space Institute (IAE) at the Structural Testing Laboratory. The test involves a complex system of hydraulics and tabs that apply pressure to aircraft structure, simulating air pressure from flying at varying altitudes. The simulation of the test will continue for another year in order to complete the fatigue life test of the engine and studies of crack propagation within the program of damage tolerance analysis conducted by Embraer and IAE/ASA.^[9][10]

Operational history[link]

Brazil[link]

Super Tucano of the Brazilian Air Force

In August 2001, the Brazilian Air Force awarded Embraer a contract for 76 Super Tucano / ALX aircraft with options for a further 23. A total of 51 of these aircraft are two seater versions, designated AT-29, which are stationed at the Natal Air Force Base and replace the AT-26 Xavante advanced jet trainers which are approaching the end of their operational lives. The remaining 25 aircraft are the single seat A-29 ALX version. One of the main missions of the aircraft is border patrol under the SIVAM programme. The first aircraft was delivered in December 2003. By September 2007, 50 aircraft had entered service. Brazilian Super Tucanos uses the PT-6A-68B engine.^[11]

On 3 June 2009, two Brazilian Air Force Super Tucanos, guided by an Embraer E-99, intercepted an Cessna U206G engaged in drug trafficking activities. Inbound from Bolivia, the Cessna was intercepted in the region of Alta Floresta d'Oeste and, after exhausting all procedures, one of the Super Tucanos fired a warning shot from its 12.7 mm machine guns, after which the aircraft followed the Super Tucanos to Cacoal's airport. This incident was the first use of powers granted under the Shoot-Down Act, which was enacted in October 2004 in order to legislate for the downing of illegal flights. A total of 176 kg of pure cocaine base paste, enough to produce almost a ton of cocaine, was discovered on board the Cessna; the aircraft's two occupants attempted a ground escape before being arrested by Federal Police in Pimenta Bueno.^[12]

Operation Ágata[link]

On 5 August 2011, Brazil started Operation Ágata, part of a major "Frontiers Strategic Plan" launched by President Dilma Rousseff in June, with almost 30 continuous days of rigorous military activity in the region of Brazil’s border with Colombia, it mobilized 35 aircraft and more than 3,000 military personnel of the Brazilian Army, Brazilian Navy and Brazilian Air Force surveillance against drug trafficking, illegal mining and logging, and trafficking of wild animals. A-29s of 1 / 3 º Aviation Group (GAV), Squadron Scorpion, launched a strike upon an illicit airstrip, deploying eight 230 kg (500 lb) computer-guided Mk 82 bombs to render the airstrip unusable.^[13]

In Operation Ágata 1, four A-29s flew to an illicit airstrip, about 42 miles (68 km) northeast of the city of São Gabriel da Cachoeira.

Multiple RQ-450 UAVs were assigned for night operations, locating remote jungle airstrips used by drug smuggling gangs along the border, and were typically guarded by several E-99 aircraft. The RQ-450 located targets for the A-29 Super Tucanos, allowing them to bomb the airstrips with an extremely high level of accuracy, making use of night-vision systems and computer systems calculating the impact points of munitions.^[14]

On 15 September 2011, Brazil launched the Operation Ágata 2 on the borders with Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay. Part of this border is the infamous Triple Frontier. A-29s from Maringá, Dourados and Campo Grande; Northrop F-5 Tiger II/F-5EMs from Canoas intercepted a total of 33 aircraft during Operation Ágata 2 in this area.^[15] On 10 October 2011, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff stated on her weekly radio address that Brazilian forces had seized 62 tons of narcotics, made 3,000 arrests and destroyed three illicit airstrips, while over 650 tons of weapons and explosives have been seized.^[16]

On 22 November 2011, Brazil launched the Operation Ágata 3 on the borders with Bolivia, Peru, and Paraguay. It involved 6,500 personnel, backed by 10 ships and 200 land patrol vehicles, in addition to 70 aircraft, including fighter, transport and reconnaissance aircraft. This was the largest Brazilian coordinated action involving the Army, Navy and Air Force against illegal trafficking and organized crime, along a border strip of almost 7,000 km. A-1(AMX), Northrop F-5 Tiger II/ F-5EM and A-29 Super Tucanos from Tabatinga, Campo Grande, Cuiabá, Vilhena and Porto Velho were employed in defending air space, supported by AEW&C´s E-99, equipped with a 250 km range radar capable of detecting low flying aircraft, and R-99, remote sensing and Surveillance.^[17]

On 7 December 2011, Brazilian Ministry of Defence informed the nation that drug seizures were up by 1,319% over the last six months, compared to prior six months.^[18]

Colombia[link]

A-29 Super Tucano of the Colombian Air Force

A total of 25 Super Tucanos (variant AT-29B) were purchased by the Colombian Air Force in a 234 million USD deal, purchased directly from the Brazilian company Embraer. The first three aircraft arrived in the morning of 14 December 2006 to the military airfield of CATAM in Bogotá. Two more aircraft were delivered on the week of 16 December 2006, 10 more in the first half of 2007 and the rest in June 2008.^[19]

On 18 January 2007, a squadron of Colombian Air Force Super Tucanos launched the first-ever combat mission of its type, attacking FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) positions in the jungle with Mark 82 bombs. This attack made use of the Super Tucano's CCIP (Continuously Computed Impact Point) capability; the aircraft's performance in action was a reported success.^[4]

Operation Phoenix[link]

In 2008, the Colombian Air Force used a Super Tucano armed with Griffin bombs inside Ecuadorian airspace during "Operation Phoenix", to destroy a guerrilla cell and kill the second-in-command chief of FARC, Raúl Reyes. This event led to a diplomatic break between the two countries.^[20]

Operation Sodoma[link]

On 21 September 2010, Operation Sodoma in the Meta department began, 120 miles south of the capital Bogotá. FARC commander Mono Jojoy was killed in a massive military operation in the early hours of September 22, a squadron of 25 Brazilian-made Super Tucano ground-attack aircraft launched seven tonnes of explosives on the camps, while some 600 special forces troops descended by rope from helicopters, opposed by 700 guerrillas. 20 guerrillas died in the attack.^[21]

Operation Odiseo[link]

On 15 October 2011, Operation Odiseo started with a total of 969 different military bodies of the Colombian armed forces. A total of 18 aircraft participated in "Operation Odiseo". On 4 November 2011, five Super Tucanos were used to launch a heavy bombing of 100 lb(45 kg) and 250 lb(135 kg), plus high-precision smart bombs. This operation ended with the death of the leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, FARC), Alfonso Cano. It was biggest blow in the history of the of the guerrilla organization.^[22]

Operation Frontera[link]

At dawn of the 22 of February 2012, EMB-314 aircraft identified the camp of the FARC's 57th Front, 15 kilometers north of Bojayá near the border with Panama. The Super Tucano dropped two high-precision bombs destroying the camp and killing six FARC rebels including Pedro Alfonso Alvarado alias "Mapanao", responsible for the Bojayá massacre in 2002 which killed 119 civilians.^[23][24]

Espada de Honor War Plan[link]

The Espada de Honor War Plan is an aggressive Colombian counterinsurgency strategies that aims to dismantle FARC´s structure, crippling both militarily and financially. The plan targets FARC leadership and it is focused on eliminating 15 of the most powerful economic and military fronts.^[25]

At the dawn of 21 March 2012, five Super Tucanos at Operacion Faraón were engaged on a bombardment mission in which 33 rebels were killed at the FARC´s 10th Front guerrilla camp in Arauca, near Venezuelan border.^[26][27] Five days later, on Operation Armagedón nine Super Tucano took off at 2:40am from Apiay Air Base heading toward the FARC´s 27th front camp in Vista Hermosa, Meta, launching 40 guided bombs of 500 pounds and using coordinates received from a guerrilla informant recruited by the police intelligence. In just three minutes of bombardment, the guerrilla camp was totally destroyed and 36 rebels were killed.^[28]

Dominican Republic[link]

Dominican Air Force A-29B

In August 2001, Embraer announced the signing of a contract with the Dominican Republic for 10 Super Tucano aircraft, to be used for pilot training, internal security, border patrol and counter-narcotics trafficking missions. The order was reduced to eight aircraft in January 2009, for a total amount of US$ 93 million.^[29] The first two Super Tucano aircraft were delivered to the Dominican Republic on 18 December 2009. Three were delivered in June 2010 and the remaining three in October 2010.^[30]

In February 2011, Dominican Republic Air Force Chief of Operations, Col. Hilton Cabral stated: "since the introduction of the Super Tucano aircraft and ground-based radars, illicit air tracks into the Dominican Republic had dropped by over 80 percent."^[31] In August 2011, the Dominican Air Force said that since taking delivery of the Super Tucanos in 2009, it has driven away drug flights to the point that they no longer enter the country's airspace.^[32] In May 2012, the Domincan president Leonel Fernández gave cooperative order for the army forces to support a fleet of Super Tucanos for the anti-drugs fight on Haiti.^[33]

Ecuador[link]

Super Tucano Ecuadorian Air Force

Ecuadorian Air Force operates 18 Super Tucanos, they are established at Manta Air Base in two squadrons: 2313 "Halcones" (used for border surveillance and flight training) and 2311 "Dragones" (used for Counter-insurgency).^[34] Ecuadorian Super Tucanos uses the PT-6A-68A (1,300 shp) engine.^[11]

On 23 March 2009, Embraer announced that negotiations over a nine-month-old agreement with the Ecuadorian air force have finally been completed. The deal covers the supply of 24 turboprop-powered Super Tucanos, with these to replace Ecuador’s ageing fleet of Cessna A-37 strike aircraft, and help re-assert control over the country’s airspace.^[35]

In May 2010, after received its sixth Super Tucano from a contract worth $270 million, Ecuador announced a reduction in its order for the Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano from 24 to 18 aircraft to release funds to buy some used South African Air Force Denel Cheetah C fighters. By cutting its order for the type, the Defence Ministry says the accrued savings would allow it to purchase the secondhand Cheetahs, and bolster the air force's flagging air defence component.^[36]

United States[link]

One Super Tucano has also been purchased by a subsidiary of Blackwater Worldwide, an American private military contracting firm.^[37][38] The aircraft did not have the machine guns normally attached to the wings.

In 2008, the U.S. Navy began testing the Super Tucano at the behest of the U.S. Special Operations Command for its potential use to support special warfare operations,^[39] giving it the official U.S. designation A-29B.^[40] The Super Tucano is being offered in a U.S. Air Force competition for 100 counterinsurgency aircraft in 2009.^[41]

On 12 April 2010, Brazil signed a defensive pact that opened negotiations for the acquisition of 200 Super Tucanos from Embraer to U.S. forces.^[42] After excluding the AT-6 from the LAS Program on 16 November 2011, the U.S. Air Force has apparently chosen the Embraer Super Tucano to meet the Light Air Support (LAS) requirement. According to GAO: “the Air Force concluded that HBDC had not adequately corrected deficiencies in its proposal. In this regard, the agency concluded that multiple deficiencies and significant weaknesses found in HBDC’s proposal make it technically unacceptable and results in unacceptable mission capability risk”. Hawker Beechcraft's protest against its exclusion was dismissed.^[43][44] But the contract award was disputed and a stop-work was issued the following January.^[45] All motions will be due to U.S. Court of Federal Claim by 6 March 2012.^[46]

For this procurement the avionics are to be supplied by Elbit Systems of America. Sierra Nevada, the US-based prime contractor will be building the Super Tucano in Jacksonville, FL.^[47]

Potential operators[link]

•  Afghanistan The A-29 Super Tucano will likely equip the Afghan Air Force in the light attack and advanced training role. The aircraft was declared the winner of the US Light Air Support (LAS) contract competition over the Hawker Beechcraft AT-6B Texan II.^[48] However the contract was canceled citing concerns with the procurement process.^[49]
•  El Salvador on November 2010, President of the Legislative Defense Committee, stated they will purchase estimated 10 EMB-314s.^[50] Postponed in February 2011 by lack of funds.^[51]
•  Equatorial Guinea is interested to purchase EMB 314 Super Tucano.^[52]
•  Guatemala Requested credit approval of $166 millions to buy six EMB-314, radar and equipment.^[53]
•  Honduras on 3 September 2011, the head of the Honduran Air Force said that Honduras will procure four Super Tucanos.^[54] On 7 February 2012, ministers of Honduras government informed the Brazilian Trade Ministry the interest in acquire a lot of Super Tucanos.^[55]
•  Lebanon The Pentagon has proposed to provide a contract for 10 aircraft. EMB-314 and AT-6 are bidding (deliveries beginning in 2013).^[56]
•  Nicaragua is negotiating three Super Tucanos^[54][57]
•  Panama is negotiating four Super Tucanos^[54]
•  Paraguay on October 2009, President of Paraguay was leaning toward buying Super Tucanos.^[58] According Paraguaian newspaper La Nación, the commander of the FAP (Paraguayan Air Forces) has started to procure six EMB-314 aircraft.^[59] In May 2012, the Paraguayan Air Force selected the Super Tucano to reinforce the air force capabilities.^[60]
•  Peru In March 2011, a Brazilian Federal representative discoursed about the Unasur treaty, statating that it could promote the surveillance integration in the Amazon Basin and facilitate the sell of 12 Super Tucanos and upgrade kits for 20 Peruvian EMB-312 "Tucano".^[61] Defence minister of Peru has announced they have suspended the acquisition of Super Tucano in favor of Korean KT-1.^[62] In 14 February 2012, Brazilian Ministry of Defence said Peru is considering buying ten Super Tucano.^[63]
•  Philippines is considering the acquisition of six Super Tucano aircraft to replace the aging Philippine Air Force OV-10 Bronco.^[64]
•  Suriname is interested to purchase between two and four Super Tucano for light attack roles.^[65]
•  Sweden is willing to replace it's Saab 105 Trainer aircraft for Super Tucanos, if Brazil chooses to buy Gripen NG.^[66]
•  United Kingdom Elbit Systems and Embraer are offering EMB-314 for the UK's basic trainer contest.^[67] The decision for the UKMFTS Contract will be made by mid-2012.^[68]

Missed contracts[link]

•  Bolivia After USA ban on Czech aircraft Aero L-159 Alca export on 7 August 2009, the Bolivian Defense Minister said they were considering six aircraft from Brazil or China with comparable role as the Aero L-159.^[69] On 9 October 2009, it was announced that Pakistan would be manufacturing 6 Chinese K-8 for Bolivia, and to be used for anti-drug operations at the price of $9.7 million per aircraft.^[70]
•  Venezuela on February 2006, a 36 unit sale fell through because it was thought the USA would block the transfer of US-built components.^[71] Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez claimed the U.S. was responsible for pressuring Brazil not to sign the contract.^[72]
•  United Arab Emirates on September 2010, it was announced that both countries was working in a deal which includes sales of Super Tucanos.^[73] In 2011, two Air Tractor AT-802U were photographed with United Arab Emirates air force colors, becoming the first acknowledged military user of the aircraft.^[74]

Variants[link]

A-29A 

Single-seater for attack and armed reconnaissance (on interdiction tasks), attack and cover (on close air support tasks), able to intercept and destroy low performance aircraft.

A-29B 

Twin-seater for the same tasks as the single seat version, also used in training and advanced aerial control (on monitoring tasks).

Operators[link]

Embraer A-29 Super Tucano operators

Chilean Air Force EMB-314

 Brazil

• Brazilian Air Force - Received 93 units.^[75] 99 (33 A-29A & 66 A-29B) aircraft ordered,^[76] 12 yet to be delivered^[77] and at least 4 aircraft lost.^[78][79][80]
  • First Squadron of the Third Aviation Group (1º/3º GAv) "Esquadrão Escorpião"
  • Second Squadron of the Third Aviation Group (2º/3º GAv) "Esquadrão Grifo"
  • Third Squadron of the Third Aviation Group (3º/3º GAv) "Esquadrão Flecha"
  • Second Squadron of the Fifth Aviation Group (2º/5º GAv) "Esquadrão Joker"

 Angola

• National Air Force of Angola - 6 aircraft ordered.^[81] Deliveries beginning in early 2012.^[82]

 Barbados

• Barbados Defence Force - 1 aircraft^[83]

 Burkina Faso:

• Air Force of Burkina Faso - 3 A-29B aircraft.^[84]

 Chile:

• Chilean Air Force - 12 aircraft.^[85]

 Colombia:

• Colombian Air Force - 25 aircraft, introduced between 2006 and 2008.^[86]

 Dominican Republic:

• Dominican Air Force - 8 aircraft.^[30]

 Ecuador:

• Ecuadorian Air Force - 18 aircraft,^[87] all delivered by 2011.^[88][89]

 Indonesia:

• Indonesian Air Force - 8 aircraft ordered and 8 more may be acquired. Delivery gradually every six months,^[90] first batch of four units will be deployed on the second half of April 2012, and it will be stationed at Abdul Saleh airbase in Malang.^[91] On March 2012, Indonesian Ministry of Defense informed the possibility of a future joint production, further modernization and sales in the Asia-Pacific region.^[92]

 Mauritania:

• Mauritanian Air Force - On July 2011, it was mentioned that it was considering the acquisition of Super Tucano aircraft.^[93] Negotiations for the acquisitions of Super Tucanos started in December 2011.^[94] On 28 March 2012 at Chile's FIDAE defense and air show, Embraer announced sales of undisclosed numbers of aircraft to Mauritania.^[95]

 United States:

• EP Aviation - part of Academi (formerly Blackwater) - at least one twin-seater variant for pilot training (delivered in February 2008), possible further orders for counter-insurgency role.^[96][97][98]

• US Navy leased an aircraft for testing, as part of the Imminent Fury program.^[99]

Specifications (EMB 314)[link]

Data from Type Analysis: Embraer Tucano and Super Tucano^[100]

General characteristics

• Crew: One pilot on single seat version, one pilot plus one navigator/student on double seat version
• Payload: 1,550 kg (3,420 lb)
• Length: 11.42 m (37 ft 6 in)
• Wingspan: 11.14 m (36 ft 7 in)
• Height: 3.9 m (12 ft 9.5 in)
• Wing area: 19.4 m² (209 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 3,200 kg^[101] (7,055 lb)
• Max. takeoff weight: 5,400 kg (11,905 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68C turboprop, 1,600 hp (1,193 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 590 km/h (319 knots, 367 mph)
• Cruise speed: 520 km/h (281 knots, 323 mph)
• Stall speed: 148 km/h (80 knots, 92 mph
  
• g-limits: +7/-3.5 g)
• Range: 720 nmi (827 mi, 1,330 km)
• Combat radius: 550 km (300 nmi, 342 mi) (hi-lo-hi profile, 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) of external stores)^[102]
• Ferry range: 1,541 nmi (1,774 mi, 2,855 km) ^[103]
• Endurance: 8hrs 40mins^[103]
• Service ceiling: 10,668 m (35,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 24 m/s (79 ft/s)

Armament

• Guns:
  
  • Internal: (2x) 12.7 mm (0.50 in) FN Herstal M3P machine guns in wings.
  • pod: (1x) 20 mm (0.79 in) GIAT M20A1 cannon below the fuselage.^[104]
• Hardpoints: 5 (two under each wing and one under fuselage centreline) with a capacity of 1,550 kg (3,300 lb)
• Rockets:
  
  • (4x) pods 70 mm (2.75 in) LM-70/19^[109](SBAT-70^[110][111])
  • (4x) pods 70 mm (2.75 in) LAU-68A/G^[112]
• Missiles:
  
  • Air-to-air:
    • AIM-9L
    • MAA-1 Piranha
    • Python 3
    • Python 4
  • Air-to-ground:
    • AGM-65 Maverick^[109]
• Bombs:
  
  • General-purpose bombs:
    • Mk 81
    • Mk 82
    • M-117^[105]
  • Incendiary bombs:
    • BINC-300^[106]
  • Cluster bombs:
    • BLG-252
  • Precision-guided bombs:
    • SMKB-82^[107] - Mectron/Britanite INS/GPS guidance kit for Mk 82. (under develpment)
    • Paveway II^[108]
    • Lizard - Elbit laser guidance kit.
    • Griffin
• Others:
  • Chaff & Flare (countermeasures)
  • FLIR AN/AAQ-22 Star SAFIRE II (Electro-Optical/Infrared Sensors)

Avionics

• MIL-STD-1553^[113] standards.
• NVG ANVIS-9 (Night Vision)
• CCIP / CCRP / CCIL / DTOS / LCOS / SSLC (Computerized Attack Modes)^[105]
• R&S{RT} M3AR VHF/UHF airborne transceiver (two-way encrypted^[114] Data Link provision)^[115]
• HUD / HOTAS
• HMD with UFCP(Up Front Control Panel)
• Laser INS with GPS Navigational System.
• CMFD(Colored Multi-Function Display) liquid crystal active matrix
• Integrated Radio Communication and Navigation
• Video Camera/Recorder
• Automatic Pilot with embedded mission planning capability
• Stormscope WX-1000E (Airborne weather mapping system)
• Laser Range Finder
• WiPak^[116] Support - (Wi-Fi integration for Paveway bombs).
• Training and Operation Support System (TOSS).^[117][118]

See also[link]

Related development

• Embraer EMB 312 Tucano
• Short Tucano
  

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Air Tractor AT-802U
• Beechcraft T-6 Texan II
• KAI KT-1
• Pilatus PC-21
• Piper PA-48 Enforcer
• PZL-130 Orlik
• TAI Hürkuş
• US Aircraft A-67 Dragon
  

Related lists

• List of active Brazilian military aircraft
  

References[link]

Notes

Bibliography

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Embraer Super Tucano

• Embraer Super Tucano page in English
• Brazilian Air Force
• Build for the mission
• SIPAM