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)

Lebanese Army receives first two A-29 Super Tucano at Hamat AFB

The Lebanese Army officially announced the delivery of two A-29B Super Tucano at Hamat Air Foce base (Ref). These two aircraft (15-2021 and 15-2022) were spotted on their way to Lebanon in different locations in Europe, details and photos here.


These two are the first batch of six A-29 Super Tucano with Hellfire capability ordered in 2015. This article details all the specifications & capabilities of the Lebanese variant.

We are expecting the official photos from the LAF and will update this article. An official hand-over ceremony has not been announced either.

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

First batch of A-29 Super Tucano on its way to Lebanon

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)
 
Two Lebanese Air Force A-29 Super Tucano were spotted yesterday at Prestwick airport as they were conducting a ferry flight on their way to Lebanon.
Photographer David Townsend took these beautiful photos for the 15-2021 and 15-2022 as they were landing.

 

View full size on airplane-pictures.net.

 

View full size on airplane-pictures.net.

The two aircraft were later spotted on an unplanned stop due to weather conditions (Ref) at Munich Airport by Munich Aviation Spotter while they were on their way to Venice Marco Polo airport; more photos can be found here.

Source: Munich Aircraft Spotter

These two aircraft along to others were spotted in the past few months around Moody AFB; more info here. Lebanon acquired six A-29 Super Tucano with Hellfire capability for $462 millions back in 2015. This article details all the specifications & capabilities of the Lebanese variant.

It is a matter of few days before these aircraft arrive to their final home base, and we are all so excited!

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

Jordan to provide Lebanese Army with 20 additional M60 tanks

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)
 
At least two Lebanese media outlets reported today (Ref 1, 2) that Jordan will be supplying Lebanon with additional M60 main battle tanks which would bring the total up to 30 (10 already delivered in 2009). The information comes as the LAF commander is currently on an official visit to Jordan.

No details on the delivery time-frame or variants are confirmed, but the 10 already delivered were A3 IFCS & TTS variants.

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

Lebanese Army is replenishing its stock of TOW and Hellfire Missiles

Within two weeks, three orders were placed to procure TOW II and Hellfire II missiles as part of larger contracts to supply other countries. The Lebanese army already effectively use these two missiles for some years now, and were used recently in the Fajr al-Jurud operation against ISIS.

1. September 18/28 2017: Two orders for an unspecified number of TOW II missiles with completion date in 2018 and 2020 respectively.
   Contract 1
   

   Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a $292,436,322 modification (PZ0055) to foreign military sales (Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Thailand, Bahrain, and Morocco) contract W31P4Q-12-C-0265 for Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wireless-guided missiles. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona; and Farmington, New Mexico, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2018. Fiscal 2010 foreign military sales funds in the amount of $292,436,322 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

   Contract 2
   

   Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a $300,088,180 fixed-price-incentive domestic and foreign military sales (Lebanon, Jordon and Morocco) contract for Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wireless-guided missiles for the Army, Marine Corps and foreign military sales customers. Bids were solicited via the Internet with one received. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona; and Farmington, New Mexico, with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2020. Fiscal 2010, 2015, 2016 and 2017 other procurement (Army); foreign military sales; and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds in the combined amount of $300,088,180 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-17-C-0194).

    
2. September 28, 2017: Order for an unspecified number of Hellfire II missiles with expected completion in 2020.
   

   Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Florida, has been awarded a $103,287,296 modification (P00060) to foreign military sales (Croatia, Lebanon, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates) contract W31P4Q-15-C-0151 for Hellfire II missile production. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2020. Fiscal 2015, 2016 and 2017 other procurement (Army) and other funds in the combined amount of $103,287,296 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

Contracts information quoted from https://www.defense.gov/

It is worth noting that these, and previously ordered/delivered TOW missiles are wirelessly guided to the contrary of what some military experts still describe the TWO missile as "wire-guided". Besides, while we do not know how many Hellfire missiles the LAF has used so far since the first delivery, but its arsenal of Hellfire missile seems to have been growing over the past few years thanks to multiple deliveries/contracts.

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

Lebanese Army is procuring $5 million Datron Communication systems

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

Datron World Communication Inc. has been awarded a $5.1 million order to supply Lebanon with Datron equipment by January 2018 (Ref). The published award does not detail the equipment involved, but Datron manufactures a range of HF and VHF military voice & data communication systems.

Datron previously supplied the Afghan Army with PRC-1077 man-pack VHF radio, HH7700 VHF handheld radio, RT-7000 long-range HF radio, and PRC-1099 man-portable HF radio. We would expect that the contract of the Lebanese Army involves some of these models.

The Lebanese Army has been bolstering its communication capabilities for years now with several contracts with other suppliers such as Harris Corporation, most notably of which is a recent contract to supply comprehensive in-field tactical networks systems.

This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

LAF to receive $69K worth of NVG accessories by October 2017

The LAF is set to receive $69.4K worth of night vision devices accessories early October 2017 as part of a larger indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity support contract for the US Department of Defense.

The contract was awarded to Aviation Specialties Unlimited, Inc. in June 2017. The company does not strictly manufacture aviation NVG however, despite what its name implies. It is unclear what accessories have been ordered, but the company offers a full range of accessories.
Source: https://govtribe.com
This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)