Single Engine Turboprop Builds Its Resume as the King of Light Ground Attack Aircraft

The Super Tucano has ticked past half a million hours across the global fleet, giving the light attack aircraft a notable milestone in a field of few competing aircraft. 

The A-29 was celebrated at the International Air and Space Exhibition being held in Santiago, Chile. Its manufacturer, Embraer, announced the landmark flight measure and noted that the 260 units delivered to customers have racked up 500,000 flight hours in total. 

The single engine turboprop has proven itself as a go-to in the market for those military aviation procurement specialists looking for a lightweight ground-attack aircraft. The Super Tucano serves with the USAF and a string of South American countries, including Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Brazil. Since its inception, the Tucano has grown to suit additional mission profiles, from classic aerial survey, intelligence gathering, interception, and counterinsurgency. Its lightweight, rugged build has allowed it to fly out of expedient, unpaved airports with little support infrastructure, all while boasting exceedingly low running costs and more than 90% uptime. 

“We are delighted to share this important milestone with the Chilean Air Force, our long-time customer,” said Bosco Costa Junior, chief commercial officer, Embraer Defense and Security. “In addition to 500,000 flight hours, the A-29 has also accumulated more than 60,000 hours in combat. In fact, it is the only advanced light attack, reconnaissance, and training turboprop platform currently in production with proven combat capabilities across the world.”

“Since the arrival of the first units of these aircraft to the Chilean Air Force, in 2009, the A-29 Super Tucano has stood out for its operational versatility, robustness and operating costs. I thank Embraer for having chosen FIDAE to celebrate this important milestone in the Super Tucano’s operational history,” said the commander-in-chief of the Chilean Air Force, Air Force General Arturo Merino Núñez.

FMI: www.embraer.com