Low Cost Embraer Super Tucano Earns Big Bucks In Developing Countries

Brazilian aircraft-maker Embraer has seen unprecedented success with its Super Tucano trainer plane which also doubles as an attack aircraft. In the last eight years, Embraer has sold 160 Super Tucano aircraft to 10 countries worth an estimated $2.25 billion making it the most successful aircraft of its type in the world today. The low cost attack aircraft is becoming increasingly popular among developing countries looking at an economical trainer which can also double up as a low level combat plane. The unit cost of an A-29 Super Tucano ranges between $9 million to $14 million, low by combat aviation standards. Capable of performing a broad range of missions that include light attack, aerial surveillance and interception, and counter-insurgency, the Super Tucano is being widely marketed for sales in Latin America, Africa and Asia. The dual purpose Tucano works well as an attack aircraft mainly because there is still a need for a rugged, turboprop plane that can be used for light attack, counter insurgency (COIN), close air support, aerial reconnaissance missions in low threat environments; it can operate under rugged and humid conditions. Recently, Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin announced that the Embraer Super Tucano is leading a current aircraft competition to procure advanced trainer jets. On Monday, Indonesia ordered an additional eight A-29 Super Tucano single-engine turboprops and a full-flight simulator which it will receive with light-attack configuration. Peru recently ordered 10 Super Tucano light attack aircraft to patrol its Amazon borders while Burkina Faso, Angola and Mauritania purchased Tucano’s worth US$180 million this year. In 2009, Embraer sold 24 aircraft to Ecuador while the Dominican Republic ordered 8 aircraft to be used on missions involving internal security, border patrol, and combating the drug traffic. Meanwhile Embraer announced today at Farnborough 2012 that its light attack fighter will be endowed with weapons systems from Boeing. The new weapons systems which include longer-range "smart" bombs guided by laser and GPS will give Embraer an edge to win the ongoing U.S. Air Force’s $355 million contract in Afghanistan. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-68/3 turboprop engine, the aircraft is designed to carry weapons including two .50" machine guns (200 rounds each) in the wings and additional underwing armament stations, such as two 20mm gun pods or .50" machine guns. The aircraft can also be loaded with short-range air-air missiles like the AIM-9X and can be loaded with the Mk 81 or Mk 82 conventional or smart) bombs, SBAT-70/19, LAU-68 A/G Missile Launchers or MLB Bombs. It is additionally equipped with state-of-the-art provisions such as a Missile Approach Warning System and Radar Warning Receiver, alongside chaff and flare dispensers. By Bindiya Thomas