Image Credit: U.S.Air Force The Embraer A-29 Super Tucano aircraft will be the next ground attack aircraft for Afghan Air Force, repl...
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| Image Credit: U.S.Air Force |
The A-29 is being acquired by U.S. Air Force for its Light Air Support (LAS) program to provide light air support, reconnaissance and training capabilities to the Afghanistan military.
The need for the A-29 comes as the current AAF's only ground attack capable aircraft, the Mi-35 helicopter will reach end of its service life in January 2016.
The first of the 20 Super Tucano aircraft arrived at USAF Moody airbase in Georgia on Sept. 26, to begin the pilot and maintenance training missions. The aircraft will help the U.S. to withdraw from Afghanistan by providing the Afghan army with the capability to fight Taliban insurgents.
Following the training, all 20 aircraft will be delivered to the AAF and will provide air-to-ground and aerial reconnaissance capabilities to support Afghanistan's counterinsurgency operations and airborne self-defense.
The A-29 will be used to train 30 Afghan pilots and 90 Afghan maintainers as part of a requirement from the International Security Assistance Force to conduct training outside of Afghanistan.
USAF awarded the LAS contract in Feb. 2013 to Sierra Nevada Corp and Embraer to supply the Embraer A-29 Super Tucano aircraft as well as ground training devices, pilot and maintenance training and logistic support.
The aircraft are assembled at Embraer's 40,000-square-foot facility in Jacksonville, Florida, which was opened in March 2013. The facility performs pre-equipping, mechanical assembly, structural assembly, systems installation and testing, and flight testing of A-29 aircraft.
Through the LAS program, SNC and Embraer support more than 1,400 jobs with more than 100 companies throughout the United States. Almost 70 per cent parts for the aircraft is being sourced from U.S.
The combat proven Super Tucano is a light air support turboprop aircraft with advanced training capabilities.
It can deliver a variety of precision guided munitions and operate in extremely rugged terrain. Major features include armored and pressurized cockpit, air-conditioning, tandem seating, Zero-Zero ejection seats and onboard oxygen generation system (OBOGS). It is powered by a single 1,600 shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68C turboprop engine.
Currently, it is in service with nine air forces in Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America. The worldwide fleet has clocked more than 230,000 flight hours and 31,000 combat hours. Embraer has received more than 210 firm orders and has delivered more than 170 aircraft.
