Combat Proven. The A-29 Super Tucano stands alone as the only combat-proven, mission ready and operational contender.

American Made. The Super T will be proudly built in Jacksonville, Fla., and more than 70 companies in 21 states will provide components and services to support the mission.

The Light Air Support mission requires a low cost solution that provides engagement and persistence that the war fighter needs in a counter insurgency environment, at a significantly lower cost. This aircraft must deliver precision guided munitions and operate in extremely rugged terrain.  The Super T is the only plane that meets these requirements today.

Best for the Warfighter. The Super Tucano meets all the requirements of the LAS mission and then some.  It provides the highly advanced avionics and communications that pilots need. It makes no compromises when it comes to crew survivability, aircraft controllability or combat effectiveness.

What makes the A-29 Super Tucano a superior choice over the competition?

The A-29 Super Tucano was built for the LAS mission. It is not a prototype.  It is a light attack plane built specifically for counter-insurgency missions.  It can fly at low speeds and low altitudes and operate in austere environments.  The Super T is already certified with over 130 load configurations and is in use today by the military of five nations, proving its counter-insurgency and combat effectiveness.  The Super T has logged over 16,000 combat hours with no combat losses.  

The A-29 Super T has the same Hands-on-Throttle-and-Stick (HOTAS) and cockpit configuration as a modern fourth generation fighter aircraft.  Yet, it is highly efficient to operate and easy to fly.  It has unrivaled endurance, giving the warfighter the persistent ISR, kinetic, or training support. The long and broad stance of the gear provides superior cross wind landing performance and enables routine operations on terrain that frighten lesser aircraft. The length of the fuselage and flight controls ensure precise control even under the full throttle of the 1600 hp engine.

The A-29 Super T is combat-proven, mission-ready and operational today, providing tremendous value to the American taxpayer.

Will selection of the Super T create jobs in the U.S.?

Yes! The A-29 Super Tucano will be built in Jacksonville, FL, by American workers with parts from American companies. Training on the aircraft will be provided in Clovis, NM.  More than 60 U.S. suppliers in 19 states will supply parts or services for this contract.  At least 1,200 U.S. jobs will be supported through this contract.

Shouldn’t the U.S. Air Force buy from an American company?

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), the lead company on this contract, is an American company.  SNC has teamed with Embraer to provide the U.S. Air Force an American-made aircraft and a U.S.-based logistical solution to for its light air support needs.  The A-29 Super Tucano will be built in Jacksonville, FL, by American workers with parts from American companies and training on the aircraft will be provided in Clovis, NM.  More than 60 American companies located in 19 states will provide major components or services for this program.  At least 1,200 U.S. jobs will be supported through this contract.

Both SNC and Embraer have a significant footprint in the U.S.  Founded in 1963, SNC is a woman-owned business employing over 2,100 people in 29 different locations in 15 states.  Embraer North America was established in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, more than 30 years ago and currently employs 800 people at locations including Ft. Lauderdale and Melbourne, FL, Nashville, TN, Mesa, AZ, Minneapolis, MN and Windsor Locks, CT.  Embraer just opened a new production facility in Melbourne, FL, that will create 200 engineering and technical jobs in this area that has been hard hit by the winding down of the Space Shuttle Program.  

Beyond its presence here, Embraer supports U.S. economic growth and job creation as a significant consumer of American exports.  The company sources a majority of its component parts – across all business lines – from the United States.  More than 7,000 U.S. jobs are supported as a result of Embraer’s component purchases.  More than 50 percent of Embraer stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

Is Embraer owned by the Brazilian government?

No.  Embraer was founded by the Brazilian government in 1969 and privatized in 1994 and is today a publicly traded company. More than 50 percent of Embraer’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

What is the “Golden Share”?

Embraer was founded by the Brazilian government in 1969 and privatized in 1994 and is today a publicly traded company.  The Brazilian government retains a single seat on the company’s board and a single special share. This share, known as the "golden share," is intended to ensure protection of national interests for very specific issues. It provides a time-limited opportunity for the government to veto certain corporate activities including related to Embraer’s creation of military programs.  However, as related to the LAS contract, that window of opportunity never existed because this contract does not refer to the creation of a new military program.  

It’s important to understand two things about the ability of the Brazilian government to weigh in on Embraer’s business activities.  First, it’s limited in time and scope. Second, the Brazilian government has never exercised its veto rights under the Golden Share.  It simply doesn’t get involved in Embraer’s business in that way.  

Does the Golden Share allow the Brazilian government to tell Embraer to stop supplying aircraft or parts to foreign governments?  

No.  The Golden Share does not permit the Brazilian government to tell Embraer to stop producing or servicing aircraft for a foreign government.  In fact, it's the opposite that is true.  The discontinuation clause in Embraer's bylaws protects the government and Embraer’s customers in the event that Embraer decided to stop supplying parts for military aircraft.   The government has the right to tell Embraer that it cannot interrupt supplying such parts or service.

Does Embraer benefit from illegal government subsidies?

No.  Embraer has long championed strong disciplines on subsidies and encourages the Government of Brazil to work to limit the distortions they cause through the World Trade Organization and other forums including the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.  Embraer is the only major aircraft producer headquartered in a developing country and believes the role of government should be to provide a competitive environment and stimulate the economy and investment generally, not to support specific products or companies.

What’s the military track record of the A-29 Super Tucano?

The A-29 Super Tucano is the only aircraft in LAS competition that has a combat record.  It has been in service for seven years and been flown in actual combat by five nations, with no combat losses.  

Embraer – as well as this specific aircraft, the A-29 Super Tucano – has a strong military track record.  Embraer has supplied more than 1,300 aircraft to armed forces in 31 nations. The A-29 Super Tucano is operational and combat-proven and flying with nations similar to those targeted for the LAS mission.  More than 173 A-29 Super Ts are in use or on-order by armed forces around the world.  It has more than 100,000 flight hours and 16,000 combat hours, with no combat losses, and it is certified for more than 130 weapon configurations.  The Super Tucano also is the plane that was tested and requested by the U.S. Navy for Imminent Fury.  

Is the A-29 Super Tucano Link 16 capable?

Yes.  The Super T is capable of incorporating any data system, including Link 16.  Embraer provided this capability for the A-29 aircraft tested by the U.S. Air Force for Imminent Fury.  

Can women fly the Super Tucano?

Absolutely. There is nothing about the A-29 Super Tucano that prevents women from flying it.  In fact, the Brazilian Air Force has many women aviators who fly the Super Tucano.