The "Super Toucan" is a light propeller attack aircraft developed by Embraer S.A. (Portuguese: Embraer S.A)," which can repeatedly participate in and win the USAfr's LAS and OV-X programs, which is jealous of its American counterparts, indicating that it still has two brushes.
Its development dates back to the 1990s, when the Brazilian government launched the Amazon Surveillance System project, which aimed to develop a low-cost propeller aircraft for patrolling the Brazilian border area and intercepting the entry of illegal aircraft. At the request of the Brazilian government, the Brazilian Air Force created the ALX project. Not only that, but the Brazilian Air Force has also proposed the need for a new and inexpensive military trainer to replace the old EMB-326GB "Hartban" jet trainer. According to the requirements, the new aircraft must adapt to the high temperature and humid climate of the Amazon region, have long-range, all-weather, day and night flight capabilities, can take off and land at airsats that lack advanced infrastructure, and have short take-off and landing capabilities. After demonstration, the Brazilian Air Force designated the aircraft of the ALX project to use turboprop engines, and the research and development unit was determined to be Embraer.
▲ The scientific name of the toucan is tuǒ kōng, which is mainly distributed in the tropical forests of South America, especially in the Amazon estuary. It is about 67 cm long and feeds mainly on fruits, seeds, insects, bird eggs and chicks, and nests in tree holes. Its most typical feature is a huge and very beautiful mouth, 17 to 24 cm long and 5 to 9 cm wide, shaped like a mouth knife, the upper half is yellow, slightly pale green, the lower half is azure blue, and the tip of the beak is dotted with a little yin red. The eyes are surrounded by sky blue feather circles, the chest is orange-yellow, and the spine is pitch black. The colorful and amazing beak make it extremely valuable for viewing.
In line with the requirements of the ALX project, Embraer decided to refine its previous EMB-312H concept. In fact, the EMB-312H is a light two-seat trainer/attack aircraft developed by Embraer based on the experience of anti-riot operations conducted by the Peruvian and Venezuelan armies, based on the EMB-312G1 "short toucan", and has the ability to conduct air combat with helicopter gunships.
In September 1991, the EMB-312H's proof-of-concept aircraft made its maiden flight. It featured an extension of the fuselage by 1.37 meters, a strengthened fuselage structure, pressurization of the cockpit, and an improved head design to accommodate the more powerful Pratt & Whitney's PT6A-67R turboprop engine, driving a pair of Hazel's five-blade composite propellers. After conducting a validation test flight, Embraer made some improvements. In 1993, Embraer produced two prototypes with PT6A-68A turboprop engines (1250 hp) and made their maiden flights in May and October 1993, respectively.
In August 1995, Embraer's Ministry of Aeronautical Affairs awarded Embraer a $50 million CONTRACT for the development of alx, and two EMB-312Hs became ALX prototypes.
However, the Brazilian Air Force was not entirely satisfied with the EMB-312H and offered many suggestions for improvement. Embraer made improvements based on the Air Force's recommendations. In 1996 and 1997, two majorly improved EMB-312Hs made their maiden flights with the new construction. The Brazilian Air Force expressed general satisfaction this time, but again made some suggestions for improvement.
On June 2, 1999, one of the EMB-312H prototypes, which was improved to the final version, made its first flight. On October 22 of the same year, the second final prototype made its maiden flight. The Brazilian Air Force was satisfied with the performance of the two final versions, but because they improved all the way and had a very big change from the original design, they were given a new model and a new name, the EMB-314 "Super Toucan". Although it has been repeatedly changed, the research and development cost of the entire ALX is not high, only 200 million to 300 million US dollars, which can also be seen that the propeller aircraft does have a huge advantage in terms of cost compared to the jet.
Let's take a look at the physique of this "bird".
The aircraft is 11.38 meters long, with a wingspan of 11.14 meters and a height of 3.97 meters. Compared to the AT-802U, it is close in length, with much smaller wingspan and a slightly higher hanging tail.
The power plant is a PT6A-68C turboprop engine of Pratt & Whitney Canada, with a maximum power of 1604 horsepower. After the fuselage structure is greatly strengthened, the ability to withstand overload is -3.5g ~ +7g, and the life expectancy reaches 8000 ~ 12000 hours. Its maximum flight speed is 590 km / h, cruising speed is 520 km / h, and the practical ceiling is 10668 meters, all higher than the AT-802U. Stall speed 180 km/h, climb rate 16.4 m/s. The maximum range is 1330 km, the maximum transfer range is 2855 km, the combat radius is 550 km (high-low-high mission profile, with auxiliary fuel tank), and the endurance time is 8 hours and 24 minutes, which is also basically equivalent to the AT-802U.
Key parts of the fuselage are made of Kevlar armor, and the fuselage is treated with anti-corrosion treatment, which strengthens the landing gear and can withstand greater take-off weights. The windshield of the cockpit can withstand the impact of birds at a relative speed of 500 km/h, and the hatch cover is hyped with side articulated switches. The empty weight is 3200 kg and the maximum takeoff weight is 5400 kg.
▲ A-29B Super Toucan attack aircraft mounted on the wing root of the 12.7 mm FN Herstal M3P machine gun
The fixed armament was 2 12.7 mm M3P machine guns (250 rounds per side) produced by the Belgian FN Herstal or the American Ordnance Corporation. The aircraft has a total of 5 hanging points (2 under the wings on each side and 1 belly centerline), and the maximum mounting capacity can reach 1550 kg. There are many types of weapons that can be mounted, including the NC621 20 mm aerial gun pod of the French company GIAT, the 12.7 mm machine gun pod, the M134 "Minigon" 6-barrel 7.62 mm machine gun pod, the Mk81, Mk82 aerial bomb, the SBAT-70/19 (LM-70/19) or THE LAU-68A/G 70 mm rocket nest, the BLG-252 cluster bomb, the AGM-65 air-to-ground missile, the MAA-1 Sawfish, aim-9L Sidewinder, Snake-3/4 air-to-air missile, AN/AAQ-22 airborne photoelectric pod.
▲ The A-29B Super Toucan attack aircraft drops laser-guided bombs
The aircraft uses the MIL-STD-1553 data bus, the cockpit is "glassed", and it is also equipped with zero-zero ejection seats and ANVIS-9 night vision goggles. Avionics systems are supplied by the Israeli company Elbit Systems and include mission computers, heads-up displays, integrated radio communications and navigation systems, laser gyroscopes and GPS navigation systems, forward-looking infrared systems, navigation and storage management systems, etc. The aircraft is equipped with laser rangefinders, cameras/recorders, an automated flight control system with embedded mission planning capabilities, and a radar alarm receiver, a missile approach warning system, and a foil strip/infrared jamming projectile launcher.
Embraer has also developed an advanced training and support system suite for Super Toucan called the Training Operations Support System (TOSS).
It is a comprehensive computing tool consisting of four systems: computer-based training that enables trainees to rehearse their next mission in computer simulations; an aviation mission planning station that uses 3D visualization techniques to perform planned tasks and check visibility between aircraft and between aircraft and other platforms; a mission debriefing station that uses real aircraft data playback and analysis; and flight simulators.
▲ Brazilian Air Force A-29B Super Toucan attack aircraft
In August 2001, the Brazilian Air Force signed a contract with Embraer to purchase 76 Super Toucans and retained the right to purchase another 23. According to publicly available data, the Brazilian Air Force spent a total of $214.1 million on the acquisition of 99 "supertolls," of which 66 were two-seat A-29Bs and 33 were single-seat A-29s. The first Super Toucan was delivered to the Brazilian Air Force in December 2003 and the last in June 2012.
The "super toucan" after service is also constantly improving. In 2012, the Brazilian Air Force selected Boeing to integrate the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and the Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) into the Super Toucan. In 2013, Embraer announced that its subsidiary OrbiSat had developed a new airborne digital side-view radar for the Supertoll, capable of clearly identifying ground targets smaller than cars.
It is not difficult to see that the "Super Toucan" is no different from the advanced jet fighter in other aspects except the shell of the propeller aircraft. Because of this, after the advent of the "super toucan", it quickly won the favor of many national air forces. Dominica, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Honduras, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Mauritania, Nigeria, the Philippines and other countries have successively purchased two-seat A-29B "super toucans" for low-intensity operations such as anti-riot, anti-drug, and anti-guerrilla warfare in their respective countries, and their performance is quite outstanding.
▲ Mauritanian Air Force A-29B Super Toucan attack aircraft at the 2013 Paris Air Show
▲ Afghan Air Force A-29B Super Toucan attack aircraft
▲ Nigerian Air Force A-29B Super Toucan attack aircraft
In addition, Bolivia, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Libya, Mozambique, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Suriname, Sweden, Thailand, Ukraine and other countries have also shown strong purchasing interest in "super tucanos". So far, Embraer has delivered about 200 "super toucans".
The two bids for the US Air Force have been "shabu", but the "super toucan" is still very popular in many places, with unique combat capabilities and cost performance, which is very suitable for low- and medium-intensity operations. The U.S. Air Force, in fact, at some point, also misses and needs this seemingly old fighter. After entering the era of jet fighters, they were the first to invite back propeller planes.
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