Embraer has announced that the A-29 Super Tucano is expanding its mission portfolio to counter modern unmanned threats.
“We continue to expand the A-29’s capabilities to address the most recent challenges faced by many nations worldwide,” President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, Bosco da Costa Junior, said.
“The continued challenges in modern warfare and the recent conflicts worldwide have shown the urgent need for solutions to fight drones. The A-29 is the ideal tool to counter UAS effectively and at low cost, adding to the aircraft’s already extensive mission set that includes close air support, armed reconnaissance, advanced training, and many others.”
Relying on A-29 features in operation and new sensors, including specific datalinks for receiving initial target coordinates and cueing, the Electro-Optical/ Infra-Red (EO/IR) sensor for laser tracking and designation, as well as the laser guided rockets and the wing-mounted .50 machine guns for neutralising targeted Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), the Operational Concept (CONOPS) defined by Embraer will allow current and future A-29 operators to add counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) missions to their operational profiles whenever needed.
The A-29 Super Tucano is a turboprop aircraft, the design of which allegedly has allowed it to perform operations from unimproved runways and at forward operating bases in austere environments and rugged terrain.
The A-29 Super Tucano has fulfilled a wide range of missions such as advanced pilot training, Close Air Support (CAS), air patrol, air interdiction, Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) training, armed Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), border surveillance, and air escort. The Super Tucano has been selected by 22 air forces around the world.
The A-29 Super Tucano is a multi-mission aircraft equipped with technology for precise target identification, weapons systems, and a comprehensive communications suite. Its capability is further enhanced by advanced Human-Machine Interface (HMI) avionics systems integrated into a airframe allegedly capable of operating without infrastructure.