The A-29 should not be confused with a frontline fighter—and it would be unlikely to hold its own even against Cold War-era aircraft.
The first two of a planned dozen Embraer A-29N Super Tucano light attack aircraft took off from Brazil on Tuesday, bound for Portugal. The aircraft departed from Embraer’s facilities in Gavião Peixoto, Brazil, and after arriving, will undergo further NATO-specific modifications, including a tactical data link and single-pilot operation capability, at Embraer’s Portuguese subsidiary, OGMA. After the modifications are completed, the aircraft will enter service with the Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea Portuguesa or FAP), becoming the first NATO-standard Super Tucano operator.
The propeller plane would be hopelessly outgunned in clashes with any modern air force. Instead, the planes will be employed in close air support (CAS) missions as part of combined operations “in low-threat scenarios in Africa, as well as for training,” according to a report from international military analyst firm Janes.
“Today, the first Portuguese Air Force A-29Ns took off from our facility in Gavião Peixoto, Brazil, flying to OGMA, Portugal, where they will receive the necessary equipment to operate in accordance with NATO operational requirements. These first advanced training and light attack aircraft are part of a contract for 12 aircraft that will equip the Portuguese Air Force,” Embraer said in a statement.
Lisbon concluded a deal for the dozen light fighters and trainers last December, valued at $200 million ($226.9 million). The deal included a flight simulator, spares, and support. The full order of a dozen fighters will be completed over the next two to three years.
The A-29 Super Tucano’s Specifications
- Year Introduced: 2003
- Number Built: ~260
- Length: 37 ft 4 in (11.38 m)
- Height: 13 ft (3.97 m)
- Wingspan: 36 ft 7 in (11.14m)
- Weight:
- Empty: 7,055 lb (3,200 kg)
- Maximum takeoff weight: 11,905 lb (5,200 kg)
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68C turboprop, 1,600 shp
- Top Speed: 368 mph (590 km/h)
- Range: 1,900 miles (with external tanks)
- Service Ceiling: 35,000 ft (10,670 m)
- Loadout: Two .50 cal machine guns (internal), various ordnance on five hardpoints
- Aircrew: 1 (2 in trainer version)
The A-29 should not be confused with a frontline fighter, and it would be unlikely to hold its own even against Cold War-era aircraft. However, it amassed more than 60,000 combat hours, operating in the air forces of 16 nations. The Super Tucano can operate from austere airfields. It could also be employed in CAS missions, armed with twin .50-caliber machine guns on each wing, along with five hardpoints for ground-attack munitions.
Propeller Planes Are in Surprisingly High Demand
Although it is not being adopted at the same rate as cutting-edge aircraft like the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II or the Dassault Rafale, Embraer has seen a sudden surge in interest in the A-29 Super Tucano, which Embraer has described as “the most effective multi-mission aircraft in its category.”
Earlier this summer, the Brazilian aircraft maker delivered four Super Tucanos to the Paraguayan Air Force, with two more to be delivered later this year.
“For air forces seeking flexible, combat-proven, and cost-efficient aircraft, the A-29 Super Tucano is the best choice. The A-29 offers a wide range of missions such as Advanced Pilot Training, CAS, Air Patrol, Air Interdiction, JTAC Training, Armed ISR, Border Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Air Escort,” Bosco da Costa Junior, president and CEO, Embraer Defense & Security, said at the delivery ceremony of the Paraguayan Air Force fighters in June.
It was also last month that the United States Air Force Test Pilot School began “judiciously” integrating three A-29A Super Tucanos into its student flight curriculum. According to the Air Force, the Brazilian-made aircraft had been evaluated by the Air Force Special Operations Command. They were then sent to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (AFB) in Arizona.
“Due to limited use, the A-29 is one of the few aircraft within the current Air Force inventory that lacks a formal training course and is not utilized operationally. This contrasts with the broader A-29 fleet, which is widely used across the globe by allied nations to provide counterinsurgency and reconnaissance operations,” the US Air Force added.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
