Facts & answers regarding the Lebanese A-29 Super Tucano for the novice

This article aims to clarify once for all what the Lebanese A-29 Super Tucano are about, and whether you should really care that they are not jets. The target audience is the general public, not those who are savvy in military topics.

The amount of negative feedback & ridicule that came along to the announcement of the six A-29 Super Tucano deal and the delivery of the first two is, the least we can say, not fair. These platforms will transit the Lebanese Air Force capability to a whole new level which was not reachable, and had the LAF had it before, would have changed a lot of things when it comes to the war against terrorism.

Here are some facts, and answers to frequent statements that clarify any doubt.

1. General
1. The Sierra Nevada A-29 Super Tucano is not equal (not the same) to the Embrarer EMB-314 Super Tucano. The A-29 is a further advancement of the original EMB-314 which includes changes in the ISR capability, cockpit, supported arms, engine, and additional armor.
2. The Super Tucano primary goal and role is not to be a trainer. It was made to be light-attack aircraft designed for counter-insurgency, close air support, and aerial reconnaissance. It is not a trainer with arms.
2. Survivability
1. The aircraft has advanced counter-measure systems against surface-to-air-missiles (short range and MANPADs). The MILDS F missile warning system and ALE-47 counter-measure dispenser in fact are used in some of the advanced aircraft and jet fighters, such as F-15, F-16, and F/A-18.
2. The MILDS F detects the incoming missiles, and the ALE-47 automatically releases the flare or chaff counter-measures accordingly.  
3. The A-29 adds up armor plates to those of the original Embrarer EMB-314 Super
   Tucano. Cockpit, fuel system and engine components all have armor plates by TenCate.
4. The A-29 can fly up to 35,000 feet and can engage targets from ~26,000 feet (Using Hellfire), a common 23 mm anti-aircraft (AA) gun max altitude is 6,500 feet, and a 35 mm AA gun is ~13,000 feet.
3. Electronics


1. The MX-15 camera/sensor is used on fixed-wing, rotary-wing, UAV, and aerostat all around the world. It is an advanced ISR and SAR camera with ability to see day/night, in poor weather, and from altitudes of 10,000 to 30,000 feet. Watch it in action.
   
2. The cockpit is equivalent to those on 4th and 5th generation aircraft.
3. Has advanced avionics and communications that are similar to those of 4th and 5th generation aircraft. 
4. Has ballistic computer to perform computations such as impact point which would then be displayed on a head-up display.
   
   
   

   

   SNC A-29 Super Tucano Pilot Cockpit
   Credit: SNC/Embrarer

   
   
4. Armament



Credit: SNC

1. Hellfire missile: no need to explain much about this infamous missile. One of the most advanced, top attack, air-to-surface missiles used on the AH-64 Apache, MQ-1 Predator UAV etc...
2. Hydra with APKWS: 70mm missiles with laser guidance improving accuracy to +93% hit rate.
3. GBU-12 Paveway II: The Paveway II is a laser guidance kit for bombs used by A-10, B-52, F-111, F-117, F-15, F- 16, F/A-18.
4. GBU-58 Paveway II: The Paveway II is a laser guidance kit for bombs used by A-10, B-52, F-111, F-117, F-15, F- 16, F/A-18.
5. The aircraft can also support other types of precision guided bombs, air-to-ground missiles, and air-to-air missiles.
5. Operation Effectiveness
1. To the contrary of a jet fighter, the A-29 can loiter (fly over) the battlefield for up to 8.5 hours (with external fuel tanks); this is compared to 2-3 hours with close-air support jets.
2. The A-29 can take off from virtually any flat surface that is long enough, it doesn't strictly require a true runway. 
6. Operation Cost
1. Thanks to its turbo-propeller engine, the cost-per-flight-hour to fly these compared to a typical jet fighter is fraction of the cost.
2.  Operation cost also involves consumable parts, and air-frame degradation, both of which come at a lower cost than a modern jet.

Frequent Statements and Questions:

1. This is a left over by the US Air Force
   Absolutely no. These are manufactured for the Lebanese Air Force. In fact, the US AF is currently evaluating this aircraft in order to obtain it for its counter insurgency operations. Read more here.
2. This aircraft is very old (or from WWII era) & no longer used because it is turbo-propeller.
   The original EMB 314 was introduce in 2003, so no it is not an "old" aircraft. The aircraft is used by major armies across the world for the specific mission it was made for. Some are probably surprised to see such an advanced cockpit (check up).
3. An AA gun can bring it down
   No, unless it is flying within range of the AA gun. Check the info about altitudes mentioned up. In reality, it is most likely that a non-radar AA gun (commonly operated by insurgents) would be taken out before the operator can even see or hear the aircraft.
4. Instead of advancing we are going back in time. Who uses propeller aircraft anymore?
   Wrong. Air forces with some of the most advanced jets over there are turning to turbo-propeller aircraft for their counter-insurgency and close air support operations. The market is growing with solution such as the Super Tucano, Cessna AC-208B, Air Tractor AT-802, and AT-6 Beechcraft.
5. This is a slow aircraft
   The aircraft is fast and agile. It can reach a maximum speed of 590 km/h. In fact, it has the speed for the mission it is intended for.
6. Only jet fighters like F-16 or F-35 can be effective for the LAF operations
   Sending an aircraft that is expensive to procure and to operate to counter-insurgency proved to be very costly. Consuming the air frame life, expensive spare parts, and expensive jet fuel, have led armies, including the US, to consider aircraft such as the A-29.
7. The A-29 is a toy or joke
   All the details above prove this is not true.
8. This does not stop the Israeli airspace violations
   These aircraft were not procured for this mission. The LAF is battling on different fronts. This aircraft has a specific mission, for which the LAF does not have an option beyond the less heavy Cessna AC-208B. The Israeli airspace violations should have other alternatives.
9. We could have acquired second hand older generation jets
   The technology advancement in the A-29 surpasses any old jet capability.
10. We should have acquired F-16
    If the LAF can afford to procure (buy, train, build facilities, transport etc...) and operate an aircraft such as the F-16, then this point can be discussed. For now, that's a far reach. Beyond, the A-29 would remain the aircraft preferred for the mission it is made for.
11. It took too long to receive them, ISIS is not anymore in Lebanon
    Procuring aircraft is not shopping a car. Moreover, these aircraft are made to order, and those who placed their orders first, have the priority. The real problem is all the causes that lead the LAF to take too long to place an order, on top of which is financing.
12. Propeller aircraft are in general an old technology
    Many modern military (and civil) aircraft still use propellers especially where speed isn't the main concern. Whether a military transport, UAV, or light-attack, turbo/propeller are still providing the power & safety needed for these aircraft to conduct their designed missions. Jet is not equal to modern, like turbo-propeller is not equal to old.

Further reading: Full specs of the Lebanese A-29 Super Tucano variant 

Recommended explanation video to watch:

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)