If someone thinks that the era of propeller-driven combat aircraft is forever in the past, he is mistaken. In Brazil, the aircraft manufacturer Embraer does not think so. It is here that today the light turboprop attack aircraft EMB 314 Super Tucano is produced, which is in demand on the international arms market and consistently finds its customers. Since 2003, more than 240 such attack aircraft have already been produced in Brazil, which are used by the Air Force of 18 states, while 99 Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano light attack aircraft are in service with the Brazilian Air Force.
Speaking of attack aircraft, many immediately recall the Soviet / Russian attack aircraft Su-25 "Rook" or the American A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog", however, for solving a number of problems, the capabilities of these aircraft seem to be clearly excessive. The light turboprop EMB 314 Super Tucano successfully exists in its own niche, proving that despite the past golden age of attack aircraft, which fell on the Second World War, such aircraft are still in demand and do not have to be jet-powered. Light attack aircraft Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, also known as A29 Super Tucano, belongs to the class of anti-guerrilla aircraft.
The EMB 314 Super Tucano light turboprop attack aircraft was created by the engineers of the Brazilian company Embraer on the basis of the EMB 312 Tucano light two-seat turboprop combat training aircraft. The development of this combat training aircraft began in 1978, the first prototype took off in 1980, and since 1984 the aircraft has been actively exported. When you look at these two aircraft, their relationship becomes undeniable, both aircraft are easy to confuse corny.
EMB 314 Super Tucano / A-29B Brazilian Air Force
The EMB 314 Super Tucano is distinguished by an increased length, a reinforced airframe set, an increased combat load and a more powerful engine, and the size of the cockpit has also been increased for greater comfort for the pilots. In addition, the aircraft received modern avionics and the so-called "glass cockpit". The pilot has at his disposal two large LCD displays with an active matrix measuring 6x8 inches. Also, the cockpit of the attack aircraft received protection in the form of Kevlar armor. The cockpit can be equipped with ejection seats Martin-Baker MK-10lCX. The aircraft received onboard oxygen equipment with an oxygen generation system, anti-overload suits for pilots and some other improvements, for example, a climate system that ensures the most comfortable work of the crew. And the presence of a modern military autopilot allows you to reduce the workload on pilots when performing long-term flights.
The first flight of the EMB 314 Super Tucano prototype took place in 1999, since 2003 the aircraft has been in service with the Brazilian Air Force and is actively exported. The cost of one aircraft is estimated at $ 9-14 million. Price is one of the main advantages of the light Brazilian attack aircraft. One plane is much cheaper than helicopters used for the same purposes. For example, the cost of the Russian Mi-35M combat helicopter is over $ 36 million. The pluses of the attack aircraft also include the ability to operate from any runways, including unpaved airfields. The aircraft can easily change its base. At the same time, the functions of a training aircraft have not disappeared from the machine. In places of permanent deployment, the Super Tucano light attack aircraft can also be used to perform training flights, very often the aircraft is used to improve combat skills by jet pilots.
Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano is made according to the normal aerodynamic configuration, it is a low-wing aircraft with a straight wing. The fuselage of a semi-monocoque aircraft. The chassis is tricycle, each landing gear has one wheel. A Pratt & Whitney PT6A-68/3 turboprop engine is used as a power plant, developing a maximum power of 1600 hp. Thanks to this engine, the aircraft can accelerate in flight up to 590 km / h.
EMB 314 Super Tucano / A-29A Brazilian Air Force
As noted in the Embraer company, the airframe of the aircraft in single and double versions was designed taking into account the latest technologies and automation of design processes. When performing typical training missions, the manufacturer guarantees the aircraft a service life of 18 thousand hours or 12 thousand flight hours, depending on the load and the tasks solved by the aircraft. The airframe design has reliable corrosion protection and good strength characteristics. A light attack aircraft can withstand overloads in the range from +7 to -3.5g.
The aircraft can be used in conditions of high humidity and ambient temperature, has very good takeoff and landing characteristics, which allows it to be effectively used even from short runways. The cockpit of the attack aircraft is protected by Kevlar armor, which provides protection against armor-piercing bullets of rifle caliber - 7, 62 mm from a distance of 300 meters. Also, according to the assurances of the manufacturer, the canopy is able to withstand a collision with a bird at a speed of 270 knots (500 km / h). In addition to Kevlar armor, the protection of the crew and the aircraft is also provided by modern information systems: warnings about the approach of missiles MAWS (Missile Approach Warning System) and warnings about radar irradiation of the aircraft by means of destruction of the enemy RWR (Radar Warning Receiver). -traps.
Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano is also known as A-29 Super Tucano (version for the Brazilian Air Force). It exists in two main versions: the lightweight single-seat attack aircraft A-29A Super Tucano and the two-seat version of the A-29B Super Tucano. The Brazilian Air Force is armed with 33 aircraft in version A and 66 in version B, 4 more aircraft were lost in various accidents.
The single-seat attack version of the Super Tucano turboprop aircraft differs from the more common model in that a 400-liter protected fuel tank is installed in the co-pilot's seat, which significantly increases the aircraft's time in the air, expanding its combat capabilities and increasing the patrol time and range. The Super Tucano single-seat light attack aircraft, according to Embraer representatives, can be equipped with equipment that allows it to operate at night. So it turns into a kind of a real night fighter that can be used to intercept the light aircraft of drug dealers and smugglers. The tests carried out have shown that the aircraft can be effectively used to combat enemy helicopters.
The main advantage of the two-seater version of the A-29B Super Tucano, as you might guess, is the second crew member. This is the very case when the proverb "one head is good - and two is better", reveals itself to the fullest. The second member of the attack aircraft crew, performing the duties of the weapons operator and observer pilot, can be very useful in operations that involve long-term patrolling of the area with the subsequent transition to the shock phase.
The light turboprop attack aircraft EMB 314 Super Tucano can carry various types of weapons that can be easily combined depending on the combat missions to be solved. Built into the wing of the aircraft are two large-caliber 12, 7-mm machine guns FN Herstal M3P with 200 rounds of ammunition per barrel. Also, a rapid-firing 20-mm aircraft cannon can be installed under the aircraft's fuselage, and two more 12.7-mm or four 7.62-mm machine guns can be additionally placed on the underwing hardpoints (500 rounds of ammunition per barrel).
In total, the aircraft has 5 rigid suspension points (one under the fuselage and 4 under the wing). The maximum combat load is 1500 kg. It is possible to use short-range air-to-air missiles (AIM-9 class). It is also possible to use free-falling or corrected bombs Mk 81 (119 kg up to 10 bombs) or Mk 82 (227 kg up to 5 bombs). In addition, it is possible to install SBAT-70/19 or LAU-68 launchers for 70-mm unguided aircraft missiles.
The light attack aircraft EMB 314 Super Tucano was actively used to combat partisans and representatives of the drug mafia in Colombia. Also in combat conditions, these attack aircraft were used by the Afghan Air Force. There is currently no information about the attack aircraft lost in battles. In addition to strike functions, the aircraft is often used for reconnaissance and observation of the terrain. For example, in Brazil, this attack aircraft is actively involved in the Sistema de Vigilância da Amazônia (SIVAM) program, which is aimed at combating drug trafficking and illegal logging and burning of forests in the Amazon jungle.
Flight performance EMB 314 Super Tucano:
Overall dimensions: length - 11, 3 m, height - 3, 97 m, wingspan - 11, 14 m, wing area - 19, 4 m2.
Empty weight - 3200 kg.
The maximum take-off weight is 5200 kg.
The power plant is a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-68/3 theater with a capacity of 1600 hp.
The maximum speed is 590 km / h.
Cruising speed - 520 km / h.
Stall speed - 148 km / h.
Practical range - 1330 km.
Ferry range - 2850 km.
Combat radius of action - 550 km (with a full combat load of 1500 kg).
Service ceiling - 10 670 m.
Small arms armament - 2x12, 7-mm machine gun in the wing, in addition, you can install a 20-mm cannon under the fuselage or another 2x12, 7-mm / 4x7, 62-mm machine guns on the underwing hardpoints
Combat load - up to 1500 kg at 5 suspension nodes, including air-to-air missile launchers, or free-fall and corrected bombs, or 70-mm NAR.
Crew - 1-2 people.
EMB 314 Super Tucano renders from embraerds.com
