Acquisition - United States Air Force Selects A-29 Super Tucano Aircraft

photo Embraer

January 5, 2012 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: Brazilian Air Force; issued January 4, 2012)

(Issued in Portuguese; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)

The U.S. Air Force has selected the Super Tucano fighter aircraft manufactured by Embraer Defense and Security for its LAS (Light Air Support) program. The aircraft, which will be provided through a partnership with Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), will be used for advanced flight training, reconnaissance and air support operations. The announcement was made at the end of last year.

The A-29 Super Tucano was developed from requirements prepared by the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), four of whose flight units currently operate the aircraft: 1/3 GAV (Boa Vista), 2/3 GAV (Porto Velho), 3/3 GAV (Campo Grande) and 2/5 º GAV (Natal).

In 2009, after approval of the Law on Lethal Firing Engagement, the Super Tucano was the first FAB aircraft to fire warning shots against an aircraft that had violated air-defense regulations and that was involved in drugs trafficking.

"We are honored by the opportunity to offer the U.S. government the best product for the mission LAS, this partnership led by Sierra Nevada Corporation," said Luiz Carlos Aguiar, Embraer CEO of Defence and Security. "Our commitment is to move forward with our investment strategy in the U.S. and to deliver the Super Tucano on time and on budget."

As specified by the U.S. Air Force, the contract is worth 355 million dollars for the provision of twenty aircraft, and ground support for pilot training, maintenance and other related services.

"We are honored by this decision and the opportunity to serve our country," said Taco Gilbert, Sierra Nevada Vice President for Business Development, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR). "We believe in the mission objectives and Light Air Support we are proud to support the United States in its efforts to build partnerships in Afghanistan and other countries in the world.”

Brazilian Air Force video showing Super Tucanos in action against an illegal landing strip.

The accuracy of the perpendicular bombing runs is worth noting.

About the LAS Program

The LAS mission requires an off-the-shelf solution that offers versatility, firepower and operational capacity as required in a counterinsurgency environment, at a cost significantly lower than that of jet fighters.

The aircraft must provide capabilities for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, must be capable of firing a wide variety of weapons, including precision-guided munitions, and operate on airfields with poor infrastructure and under severe environmental conditions.

About the Super Tucano

The Super Tucano was designed specifically for counterinsurgency missions and is currently operated by six air forces, among them Brazil, and EMBRAER has received orders from others.

The aircraft has proved to be extremely qualified for the LAS missions and helped the Colombian government to fight the revolutionary forces of that country (FARC), and operations against other illegal activities elsewhere.

The more than 150 aircraft in operation worldwide have accumulated 130,000 flight hours, including more than 18,000 hours of combat, without any loss.