Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has entered an agreement to purchase an A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft from Brazilian manufacturer Embraer, ahead of a pending U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract. The early acquisition is intended to accelerate pilot training and reduce the time required to integrate the aircraft into operational service once the FMS contract receives approval. The A-29 is a turboprop aircraft designed for light attack, close air support, reconnaissance, and pilot training missions, with the ability to operate in challenging environments and from short or unpaved runways.
Powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engine producing approximately 1,600 horsepower, the aircraft can reach speeds up to 320 knots (368 miles per hour) and altitudes up to 35,000 feet, with a range of 720 nautical miles (1,333 kilometers). Measuring 36 feet (11 meters) in both length and wingspan, the A-29 can be armed with a variety of weapons, including machine guns, cannons, precision-guided bombs, and air-to-air or air-to-ground missiles. The aircraft also features advanced avionics, computerized weapons controls, secure communication systems, modern navigation, night vision capability, and high-resolution sensors, ensuring it can carry out combat and training missions effectively.
Production for this purchase will take place at Embraer’s defense facility in Jacksonville, Florida. By initiating the acquisition early, SNC ensures that pilots can begin training immediately, potentially cutting the operational deployment timeline by up to a year. The deal reflects the increasing demand for versatile, cost-effective light attack aircraft capable of supporting modern defense requirements and complex mission profiles.
