Embraer and Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) announced on September 23 that they have signed an agreement for the purchase of one A-29 Super Tucano light attack and reconnaissance aircraft.
The deal, revealed at the Air & Space Forces Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference, comes ahead of an anticipated U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case.
According to the companies, SNC’s early investment in the aircraft is intended to reduce the time required to bring future FMS deliveries to operational status. By securing this aircraft in advance, pilot training can begin immediately upon contract award, cutting the timeline to Initial Operational Capability (IOC) by as much as a year.
The A-29 will be produced at Embraer’s defense manufacturing line in Jacksonville, Florida. Embraer and SNC have partnered for more than a decade to deliver nearly 50 of these aircraft worldwide.
“It is with great satisfaction that we see the A-29 made in the United States continuing its successful history,” said Frederico Lemos, Chief Commercial Officer of Embraer Defense & Security. “The Super Tucano offers unmatched light attack and multi-mission capabilities that are both effective and affordable to meet U.S. and Allied Force’s needs. At the same time, we are confident that our relationship with SNC, which extends for more than 10 years, will continue to expand given that an increased number of FMS customers are seeing a growing need for this sort of capability.”
SNC emphasized the importance of its early role in accelerating access to the platform. “SNC is well known for investing early and often in programs we believe in to expedite progress and performance on behalf of the warfighter,” said Ray Fitzgerald, SNC’s Senior Vice President of Strategy and Technology. “By proactively pursuing this aircraft we are happy to provide faster IOC and increased training time for the pilots who will soon fly this aircraft. We’ve long known the benefits of the A-29 Super Tucano and with increasing FMS demand worldwide, we’re proud to continue offering this outstanding aircraft to the U.S. and its allies and we look forward to continuing our longstanding relationship with Embraer.”
The A-29 Super Tucano is a combat-proven turboprop aircraft recognized for its rugged construction and ability to operate from unimproved runways and forward operating bases. It has accumulated more than 600,000 flight hours and has been selected by 22 air forces worldwide.
The aircraft supports a wide mission set, including close air support, air interdiction, border security, air patrol, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and advanced pilot training. Its design incorporates state-of-the-art avionics, precision weapons systems, and a comprehensive communications suite.
In addition to its versatility, Embraer and SNC highlighted the platform’s affordability and sustainability. The Super Tucano features reduced maintenance requirements, high availability rates, and an economical life cycle cost that make it attractive to both U.S. and international customers.
The companies noted that earlier this year three A-29 aircraft were delivered to the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) for its Combat Aviation Advisor mission. With the latest purchase, Embraer and SNC continue to position the Super Tucano as a critical option for allied forces seeking a durable and cost-effective solution for both training and operational roles.
As Embraer and SNC expand their cooperation, the A-29 program remains a central part of U.S. and allied efforts to meet emerging security requirements with proven, reliable platforms.