EMB-314 Super Tucano

The Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano, also designated ALX or A-29, is a Brazilian turboprop light attack and counter-insurgency aircraft developed from the EMB-312 Tucano. Developed to meet Brazilian Air Force requirements for border patrol and training under the Amazon Surveillance System, the EMB-314 evolved from the EMB-312H prototype, which first flew in September 1991. The production-configured aircraft made its initial flight on 2 June 1999. Embraer manufactures the aircraft in Brazil and, in partnership with Sierra Nevada Corporation, in Jacksonville, Florida.

Design

The aircraft is powered by a 1,600 shp (1,200 kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68C turboprop engine driving a five-bladed Hartzell propeller. The airframe is strengthened for a fatigue life of 8,000–12,000 hours and includes Kevlar armor protection, a corrosion-protected structure, and a bird-strike-resistant canopy. Avionics, supplied primarily by Elbit Systems, include a night-vision-compatible glass cockpit with HOTAS controls, HUD, mission computer, and a laser range finder. Sensor systems include the FLIR AN/AAQ-22 Star Safire II.

Armament

The EMB-314 carries two internal, wing-mounted .50 caliber machine guns with 200 rounds each. It features five external hardpoints with a total payload capacity of 1,550 kg (3,300 lb). Armament options include 20 mm cannon pods, rocket pods (LAU-68A/G, APKWS), air-to-air missiles (AIM-9L, MAA-1 Piranha, Python 3/4), air-to-ground missiles (AGM-65 Maverick), and general-purpose or precision-guided bombs, including Paveway II, Lizard, and Griffin.

Operational History

Operational deployments began with the Brazilian Air Force in 2003, which acquired 99 aircraft for border surveillance and counter-narcotics missions under the Sivam programme and Operation Ágata. The Colombian Air Force acquired 25 aircraft, deploying them in combat operations against FARC and ELN guerillas, including Operations Phoenix and Sodoma. Through the U.S. Light Air Support program, the United States acquired 26 A-29s for the Afghan Air Force, which utilized them for close air support from 2016 until the 2021 Taliban offensive. Other export operators include Chile, Ecuador, Indonesia, Nigeria, the Dominican Republic, and the Philippines.

Variants

• A-29A: Single-seat version utilized for attack and interception operations.
• A-29B: Two-seat version configured for tactical instruction, training, and light attack missions.
• A-29N: NATO-compliant variant featuring single-pilot operation capability and specific data link communications.
• A-29M: Modernized standard featuring fourth and fifth-generation cockpit and data link systems.
• A-29C: Variant operated for testing and training by the United States Air Force Test Pilot School.