Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

EMB 314 / A-29 Super Tucano
Type	Counter-insurgency
Manufacturer	Embraer
Maiden flight	2 June 1999
Introduced	2000
Status	In service
Primary users	Força Aérea Brasileira Fuerza Aerea Colombiana
Number built	124
Developed from	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) and pilot training missions, incorporating modern avionics and weapons systems. It is currently in use by the air forces of Brazil and Colombia, and Embraer has plans to sell it to other countries in Asia and the Middle East. Besides pilot training, it is heavily employed in monitoring operations in the Amazon region.

Contents 1 Development 2 Variants 3 Operators 4 Specifications 5 External links 6 Related content

[edit] Development

The request for a light attack aircraft was part of the Brazilian government's SIVAM (Amazon Monitoring System) Project. This aircraft would fly along 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 or Super Tucano (named in reference of the older Embraer EMB 312 Tucano, although it was a completely distinct aircraft) 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 infrastrucuture.

The first flight of a single-seat Super Tucano prototype occurred on 2 June , 1999. The first flight of the two-seat version occurred on 22 October, 1999.

[edit] Variants

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).

[edit] Operators

•  Brazil: 99 units
•  Colombia: 25 units
•  Dominican Republic: 10 units (ordered in January/2007)

On 11 January, 2006 Embraer had a potential sale of 36 units to Venezuela fall through when the United States of America vetoed the sale. The US government has a say in the sale of any weapons system that utilises US technology. In this case, the Super Tucano uses a Pratt & Whitney Canada engine, and Pratt & Whitney Canada belongs to Hartford, Connecticut based United Technologies. Many other components are also of US origin.

[edit] Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: One pilot on single seat version, one pilot plus one navegator/student on double seat version
• Length: 11.33 m (37.17 ft)
• Wingspan: 11.14 m (36.55 ft)
• Height: 3.97 m (13.02 ft)
• Wing area: 19.4 m² (208.82 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 3,020 kg (6,658 lb)
• Loaded weight: 4,520 kg (9,965 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 5,200 kg (11,464 lb)
• Powerplant: 1× Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68C , 1,600 hp (1,193 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 593 km/h (368 mph)
• Range: 4,820 km (2,995 mi)
• Service ceiling: 10,670 m (35,008 ft)
• Rate of climb: 24 m/s (79 ft/s)

Armament

• 2x 12.7 mm FN Herstal M3P machine guns
• 1x 20 mm cannon pod below the fuselage
• 4x 70 mm rocket launcher pods
• Conventional and intelligent bombs
• 2x AIM-9 Sidewinder or MAA-1 Piranha or Python 3/4 air-to-air missiles
• 2x AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missiles
• External stores on 5 hardpoints

[edit] External links

• Embraer Super Tucano page in English
• Brazilian Air Force
• SIPAM
• SIVAM

[edit] Related content

 

Comparable aircraft

• Korea Aerospace KT-1
• Pilatus PC-21
• Raytheon T-6 Texan II
• PZL-130 Orlik
• PA-48 Enforcer

 

 

See also