Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has finalized an agreement to acquire an A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft from Brazilian aerospace firm Embraer. The move is seen as a preparatory step ahead of a forthcoming US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) deal that still awaits approval from the US State Department and Congress. The intended buyer under the FMS arrangement has not yet been disclosed.
According to SNC, the early acquisition will allow pilot training programs to begin before the official deal is signed. This could potentially reduce the timeline for operational deployment of the aircraft by up to a year. Manufacturing of the aircraft will be carried out at Embraer’s defense production facility in Jacksonville, Florida.
The A-29 Super Tucano is a versatile turboprop platform designed for light attack, close air support, reconnaissance, and advanced training missions. Its ability to operate from short or unpaved runways makes it particularly suited for complex combat environments. Equipped with a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engine generating about 1,600 horsepower, the aircraft can reach speeds of 320 knots, climb to altitudes of 35,000 feet, and cover a range of 720 nautical miles.
Measuring 36 feet in both length and wingspan, the A-29 can be outfitted with machine guns, cannons, precision-guided bombs, and both air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. Advanced avionics such as computerized weapons controls, secure communications, night-vision capability, and high-resolution sensors further enhance its performance, making it effective for both combat missions and pilot training.
