Article Posted on : - Jun 20, 2012

The A-29 Super Tucano jet. An Embraer photo

SAO PAULO (BNS): Brazilian Air Force (FAB) has taken delivery of an A-29 Super Tucano and two upgraded F-5M fighter aircraft from Embraer.

The aircraft were delivered to the FAB on Tuesday.

The 99th A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft was delivered under a 2003 contract to supply 76 such fighters to the FAB with an option for an additional 23 jets under the AL-X programme.

The Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano is a turboprop jet designed for light attack, counter insurgency and pilot training missions, incorporating modern avionics and weapons systems.

The aircraft is currently used in the FAB for advanced pilot training and carries out important functions in the Amazon Surveillance System (SIVAM).

The two F-5M fighters, featuring new navigation systems, weaponry, computers, and multimodal radar, were delivered under a contract awarded to Embraer in 2000 to modernise a total of 46 such supersonic jets of the FAB. The aircraft were the last two jets under the contract.

In December 2010, Embraer received another contract to upgrade 11 additional F-5 jets for the FAB. Work will begin on the first jet in October 2012, the company said, adding that the first deliveries of this second group of jets are planned for 2013.

The Brazilian Air Force has been flying the Northrop-made F-5 jets since the 1970s.