iscover
Embraer, the Brazilian aerospace company, has announced an expansion of its A-29 mission portfolio to include new countermeasure technologies.
Embraer, the Brazilian aerospace company manufacturing aviation systems and aircraft, has announced the expansion of its A-29 mission portfolio, adding countermeasure technology against uncrewed aerial systems (UAS).
“We continue to expand the capabilities of the A-29 to meet the latest missions faced by many nations around the world,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, president and CEO of Embraer Defence & Security.
Current and future A-29 Super Tucano aircraft will be expanded through additional capabilities being integrated such as datalinks, electro-optical/infrared sensors, laser-guided rockets, and .50 caliber machine guns being added to the wings.
Currently, the A-29 design allows the aircraft to operate from unpaved runways and propel forward in harsh and rugged environments. It reaches a maximum operating speed at 320 knots calibrated airspeed, can achieve 35,000 feet, and has 5.2 hours of endurance with two external tanks.
It has over 600,000 flight hours globally, making it a leader in international turboprop aircraft.
It is used in advanced pilot training; close air support and patrol; joint strike controller training; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; and border surveillance. This wide range of capabilities and flexibility has led to the aircraft being selected by 22 air forces worldwide, including Brazil, Chile, Indonesia and Lebanon, and is used in the US Air Force pilot school fleet.
“The ongoing challenges in modern warfare and recent conflicts around the world have demonstrated the urgent need for solutions to counter UASs,” da Costa said.
“The A-29 is the ideal tool to effectively and cost-effectively engage unmanned aerial systems, adding to the aircraft’s already extensive mission suite, which includes close air support, armed reconnaissance, advanced training and many others.”
Being a light attack, armed reconnaissance and tactical trainer, the A-29 is being consistently modernised by advanced human-machine interface systems to improve its capabilities.
