Embraer EMB-312 Tucano

History of Embraer EMB-312 Tucano

Brazil's defense industry is suffering from what most mid-military powers do - relying heavily on foreign products to meet local needs. In recent decades, the South American country, along with others such as China, India and Turkey, has pushed for the local design, development and production of such systems to eliminate the need for foreign dependence.

In 1969, this movement led to the formation of the state-owned Embraer, which began licensing the Italian Aermacchi MB-326 advanced jet trainer - an experience that proved fruitful as it led to the expansion of the brand's capabilities, which today Including domestic production of light aircraft, large aircraft and business jets.

The EBM-312 Toucan would go on to be one of the company's greatest achievements on the global stage - its first real commercial success. The aircraft was supported by the Brazilian Air Force in a 1978 initiative that produced its first flight prototype on August 16, 1980.

The multi-role aircraft can be used for basic training and light attack missions, and the service is satisfied with its commitment, with an option for an additional 50 of the first 118 aircraft. The first deliveries began in September 1983, and 10 more aircraft were added in 1990 (the final 40 initially selected were eventually executed).

At its core, Tucano is built on qualities that are already shared by many essential coaches on the world stage. A lightweight design was chosen, including a low-mounted straight-wing main aircraft, nose-mounted engines, tandem seats under a long, unobstructed canopy, and a conventional monoplane tail.

The landing gear is fully retractable and has a tricycle arrangement. The compact aircraft proved strong enough to mount external ammunition (or fuel tanks) under the wings for training or attack missions.

Dimensions include a length of 32.3 feet, a wingspan of 36.5 feet, and a height of 11 feet. Curb weight is 4,000 lbs and MTOW is 7,000 lbs. Power comes from a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25C turboprop engine producing 750 horsepower and driving a three-bladed propeller unit in the nose.

Performance specs include a top speed of 285 mph, a range of up to 1,200 miles, a service ceiling of up to 28,700 feet and a rate of climb approaching 1,900 feet per minute.

Tucano has become a customer favorite worldwide as it is used by airlines in Angola, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Honduras, Iran, Mauritania, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela (former operators include France and Iraq ). The Brazilian Air Force expects to retire and replace its Tucanos fleet sometime in the early 2020s. Total production of Tucanos reached 624 units in the period 1980-1996.

Variants in this series started with the EMB-312A base form and followed the pre-production YT-27 aircraft. The T-27 was its basic trainer model, and the AT-27 became a dedicated light attack form. The successor, the EMB-312F, was a more powerful design developed for the French Air Force. The EMB-312S became the locally built version in the UK (known as the Short Tucano by the Short Brothers), powered by a Honeywell TPE331-12B engine with minor upgrades. The T. Mk 1 was ordered by the Royal Air Force (RAF), while the Mk.

51 was purchased by Kenya and Mk. 52 from Kuwait.

The EMB-312G1 exists only as a prototype and is equipped with a Garrett engine. Another abandoned attempt was the potential sale of the Northrop Grumman-sponsored EMB-312H to the US Air Force -- but it didn't work out.

Embraer EMB-314 (A-29) "Super Tucano" is an advanced version of the original Tucano platform, designed as a basic trainer and attack/counter-insurance aircraft. More than 200 of this variant have been built to date (2017), with the key operator being the rebuilt Afghan Air Force, which has 20 on order. The Brazilian Air Force itself has a fleet of 99 such prototypes, and the model challenges the ongoing U.S.

Air Force basic trainer competition.

Specification

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Production

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Dimensions

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Performance

Performance

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Changes