Sierra Nevada, Embraer Roll-Out First A-29 Super Tucano For USAF Light Air Support (LAS) Program

Sierra Nevada and Embraer today rolled out the first A-29 Super Tucano light air support aircraft for U.S Air Force, the companies announced in a joint press release.

The aircraft also works as an advanced trainer, is the first of 20 that are being delivered to the U.S. Air Force for its Light Air Support (LAS) program to support the stability of Afghanistan as it assumes increased responsibility for security with the redeployment of NATO forces.

“We look forward to continuing to deliver on time and on budget this important capability for Afghanistan now and into the future to ensure both the successful withdrawal of U.S. troops and the safety and security of the entire region,” SNC’s CEO Fatih Ozmen said.

“The Super Tucano is a robust and powerful turboprop aircraft capable of carrying out a wide range of missions and, in more than ten years of operations, it has confirmed to be a cost-effective airpower solution for nations around the world,” President and CEO Embraer Defense & Security Jackson Schneider said.

“This first aircraft delivery is a significant milestone for the A-29 program,” said U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Eric Fick. “This delivery represents the birth of an important capability for Afghanistan, and we are very pleased Sierra Nevada Corporation and Embraer were able to deliver the aircraft on time to meet the start of Air Advisor Training at Moody Air Force Base.”