The Embraer Super Tucano A-29N, the light combat and advanced training variant of the EMB-314, appears to have achieved its first sales success in Europe, having been selected by the Portuguesa Air Force.
The A-29N will include equipment and features to meet NATO operational requirements, such as a new data link and single-pilot operations.
These characteristics will further increase the possibilities of use of the aircraft, allowing, for example, its use in JTAC (Joint Terminal Attack Controller) training missions.
The training devices will also be upgraded to the world’s most demanding standards, including virtual, augmented and mixed reality.
The Portuguese order should be for a dozen aircraft that would be used by the FAP for Close Air Support (CAS), Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) and Advanced Training missions.
The A-29 Super Tucano can carry out a wide range of missions, including light attack, surveillance and aerial interception against slow aircraft, helicopters, drones and UAS as well as counter insurgency.
The Brazilian aircraft is robust and versatile; it is capable of operating from remote and unpaved runways on forward deployed operating bases with limited support, all with low operating costs and high availability (above 90%).
The A-29N Super Tucano is equipped with various state-of-the-art sensors and weapons, including an electro-optical/infrared system with laser designator, night vision goggles, secure voice communications and a data link package.
Features of the A-29 Super Tucano
The Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano or A-29 has a length of 11.33 m, a wingspan of 11.14 m, a height of 3.97 m. The empty weight is 3,200 kg while the maximum allowable take-off weight is 5,400 kg.
The two-seater tandem aircraft is powered by a 1,604 hp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68C. The maximum speed that can be reached is 590 km/h, the cruising speed is 520 km/h, the range of action with 1,500 kg of load and hi-lo-hi flight profile is 550 km. The transfer autonomy is equal to over 2,800 km.
Armament-wise, two FN Herstal M3P 12.7mm heavy machine guns can be installed, one on each wing, up to four underwing pylons and a ventral hardpoint with a total capacity of 1,550 kg.
The aircraft is capable of mounting pods with 7.62, 12.7mm machine guns and 20mm cannons, 70mm rockets, AIM-9L/M Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, Piranha, Python 3-4, air-to-surface missiles AGM-65 Maverick and Cirit, Mk 81 and 82 general purpose bombs, Paveway II, Griffin and Lizard laser-guided bombs.
Onboard avionics suite
The Super Tucano is equipped with a countermeasures system (chaff & flares) as well as a FLIR AN/AAQ-22 Star SAFIRE II infrared electro/optical system.
The on-board avionics are MIL-STD-1553 standard, with HUD, HOTAS controls, Helmet Mounted Display, integrated navigation and radio communications system, video camera/recorder, laser range finder, computerized attack modes, protected data transmission/data link system.
Image @Embraer
