"Toucan Class"
At the beginning of 1978 in Brazil, Embraer began designing an aircraft, which later became known as the EMB-312 Tucano. According to the developers, the main purpose of the “Tukano” was to be the training of pilots, as well as use as a light attack aircraft and patrol aircraft in “anti-guerrilla” operations in the absence of resistance from fighters and modern air defense systems. Initially, at the design stage, the task was to minimize costs during the operation and maintenance of the aircraft. Subsequently, the "Tukano" became the hallmark of the Brazilian aviation industry. Being one of the most successful and commercially successful modern combat training aircraft, it received deserved recognition both in Brazil and abroad. It was this aircraft that in many ways became a kind of benchmark for the creators of other TCBs and light multi-purpose combat aircraft with a turboprop engine.
"Tukano" is built on the normal aerodynamic configuration with a low-lying straight wing and resembles piston fighters of the Second World War. Its “heart” is the Pratt-Whitney Canada turboprop engine PT6A-25C with a capacity of 750 l. with. With a three-bladed reversible propeller automatically changeable pitch. Fuel tanks with internal anti-knock coating with a total capacity of 694 liters are located in the wing. The armament was placed on four underwing pylons (up to 250 kg per pylon). It can be four hanging containers with 7,62-mm machine guns (ammunition - 500 cartridges per barrel), bombs, blocks 70-mm NAR.
Rational layout predetermined the success of "Tukano", the plane turned out pretty easy - its dry weight does not exceed 1870 kg. Normal take-off weight is 2550 kg, maximum - 3195 kg. The plane without external suspensions developed the maximum speed of 448 km / h, cruising speed - 411 km / h. Practical range 1840 km. Resource airframe modifications EMB-312F is 10 000 hours.
The first flight of the Tukano took place in August 1980 of the year, and in September of the 1983 of the year, mass-produced aircraft began to flow into the combat units of the Brazilian Air Force. Initially, the Brazilian Air Force ordered an 133 aircraft machine. The Middle Eastern countries, Egypt and Iraq, have shown interest in turboprop trainings. According to the contracts, in Egypt put 54, and in Iraq 80 aircraft. Build "Tukano" for buyers from the Middle East was carried out in Egypt at the company "AOI". Following Egypt and Iraq, EMB-312 purchased for their air forces: Argentina (30 aircraft), Venezuela (31), Honduras (12), Iran (25), Colombia (14), Paraguay (6), Peru (30). In 1993, the French Air Force bought the 50 aircraft EMB-312F. TCB for the French Air Force has a glider with a fatigue life increased to 10 000 hours, the French avionics, as well as a modified fuel filling system, anti-icing system of the propeller and cockpit canopy.
In the second half of 80's, the British firm Short has acquired a license for assembling Tukano, which was a major success for the Brazilian firm Embraer. The modification for the Royal Air Force is characterized by a more powerful engine, Allied Signal TRE331 (1 x 1100 hp). Since July 1987, Short has built the 130 Tukano, which has received the S312 designation in the UK.
Some buyers, such as Venezuela, purchased airplanes in two versions: TC-T-27 and light AT-27 two-seater attack aircraft. Unlike training machines, the assault modification was sent to combat squadrons and had more advanced sights and light cockpit armor protection.
In total, up to 1996, more than 600 aircraft were built. In a number of countries, in addition to training pilots and training flights, Tukano took an active part in combat operations. The aircraft was used to launch bombings and assault attacks in local interstate conflicts, fought irregular rebel formations, made patrol-reconnaissance flights, and stopped drug trafficking. “Tukano” turned out to be quite good in the role of an interceptor fighter in the fight against cocaine delivery, there are not one forcefully planted and shot down light-engined aircraft loaded with drugs loaded into it. During the Iran-Iraq war, the Tukano, operating at low altitudes, launched bombing attacks and were used as reconnaissance spotters. There have been quite effective actions of these light turboprop attack aircraft during the border conflict between Peru and Ecuador in 1995 on the Senep river. Accurate blows NAR "Tukano" supported the promotion of Peruvian "commandos" in the jungle. Using phosphorus ammunition, giving white smoke well visible from the air, they "marked" targets for other, faster and heavier combat aircraft. Thanks to air superiority in this war, Peru managed to take up above Ecuador.
Most of all "Tukano" in battle lost the Air Force of Venezuela. During the anti-government military insurgency in November 1992, the AT-27 insurgents bombed and fired on with unguided rockets the troops remaining loyal to the president. At the same time, several light attack aircraft were shot down over Caracas by anti-aircraft 12,7-mm machine guns and F-16A fighters.
In 2003, the serial construction of the EMB-314 Super Tucano began. The aircraft received the Pratt-Whitney Canada engine PT6A-68C with a power of 1600 hp. and reinforced glider. The weight of an empty aircraft increased to 2420 kg, and the length of almost half a meter. The normal take-off weight is 2890 kg, and the maximum is 3210 kg. The maximum speed increased to 557 km / h. Resource glider is 18 000 hours.
The aircraft is designed to work in conditions of high temperature and humidity, has good take-off and landing characteristics, which allows it to be based on limited length of unpaved runways. The cockpit is covered with Kevlar armor, providing protection against armor-piercing rifle bullets from a distance of 300 meters.
Armament "Super Tukano" became more powerful, in the root of the wings appeared embedded 12,7-mm machine guns with ammunition for 200 ammunition on the barrel. The combat load with a total weight of up to 1550 kg is placed on five suspension nodes, cannon and machine-gun containers, unguided and guided missile and bomb weapons can be placed on them. For the use of guided weapons, a data display system has been installed on the pilot's helmet, integrated into the aircraft’s control equipment. The system is based on the MIL-STD-553B digital bus and operates according to the HOTAS (Hand On Throttle and Stick) standard.
During the patrol flights of the first “Tukano” variants over the jungles of Amazonia, there was revealed the need for special infrared reconnaissance and survey equipment capable of detecting bases and camps of insurgents and drug barons and fixing their coordinates. For the "Super Tukano" there are several options for reconnaissance containers of American and French production, including the compact side-looking radar. In total, the Brazilian Air Force ordered 99 aircraft. In the two-seater A-29 version, 66 airplanes were ordered, the remaining 33 aircraft are single A-29А.
In addition to the combat training double, a purely shock single version was created, designated A-29A. An additional 400-liter retrofit fuel tank was installed in place of the second pilot, which significantly increased the time spent in the air. According to the information provided by the Embraer company, the single “Super Tucano” with a search suspension container fixing thermal radiation, thanks to the increased flight range, has perfectly established itself as a night fighter when intercepting light aircraft of smugglers. Tests have shown that he can also effectively deal with combat helicopters.
3 June 2009, there was a case of forced landing of an aircraft carrying drugs, which received wide publicity. Two Brazilian Super Tukano intercepted Cessna U206G, which transported drugs from Bolivia. The smugglers' cessna was intercepted in the Mori d'Oeste region, but its pilot did not obey the demand to follow the planes of the Brazilian Air Force. Only after the warning lines at the rate of the intruder from the 12,7-mm machine guns, the Cessna landed at Cacoal airport. 176 kg of cocaine was found on its board.
The two-seater A-29B is equipped with various avionics and suspension containers needed to control the battlefield and use guided weapons. Due to the presence of a second crew member, acting as a weapon operator, and a pilot-observer, the double light attack aircraft proved to be optimal for use in operations where patrolling is required, which passes into the shock phase. As a carrier weapons The Super Tucano is used as part of the Amazon SIVAM control system (Sistema para Vigilancia de Amazonas), paired with EMB-145 reconnaissance aircraft.
As of 2014 year, more than 150 Super Tucano attack aircraft have flown more than 314 130 hours, including 000 18 hours in combat missions. According to Embraer, due to its high maneuverability, low thermal visibility and good survivability, the aircraft proved to be excellent during combat missions, and not a single A-000 was lost from anti-aircraft fire. However, in the Super Tukano battle zone they do not always perform shock functions, they are often used as reconnaissance and observation aircraft.
5 August 2011 Brazilian armed forces launched Operation Agata on the border with Colombia. It was attended by more 3000 military personnel and police officers, as well as 35 airplanes and helicopters. The purpose of the operation was to curb illegal mining, trade in wild animals, mining and drug trafficking. During Operation Super Tukano, 500-pounder bombs bombed several illegal runways, making them unsuitable for use.
15 September 2011 was launched in Brazil, on the border with Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay, the operation Agata-2. During its Super Tukano, three airfields in the jungle were destroyed and, together with the F-5Tiger II fighter jets, intercepted 33 aircraft carrying drugs. Brazilian security forces seized 62 tons of drugs, made 3000 arrests and seized more than 650 tons of weapons and explosives.
On November 2, 2011, Operation Agatha-3 started. Its purpose was to restore order on the border with Bolivia, Peru and Paraguay. The special operation was attended by 6500 military and police personnel, 10 boats, 200 cars and 70 aircraft. Agatha-3 became the largest Brazilian special operation involving the army, fleet and the Air Force to combat trafficking in persons and organized crime in the border zone. In addition to the Super Tucano, combat operations by the AMX, F-5 Tiger II, AWACS and UAVs took part in the operation from the Air Force. On December 7, 2011, a spokesman for the Brazilian Ministry of Defense announced that drug seizures had increased by 1319% over the past six months from the previous period.
The two-seater light attack aircraft A-29B were very actively used in Colombia. In January 2007, Colombian Air Force planes launched a missile and bomb attack on a rebel camp of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. In 2011, operating in reconnaissance and combat pairs on the strongholds of the leftist rebels, the Super Tucano first used laser-guided high-precision Griffin ammunition. Thanks to advanced reconnaissance and strike systems supplied by the United States, the effectiveness of combat missions against insurgents and drug trafficking has increased significantly. As a result of airstrikes using high-precision aviation ammunition managed to eliminate a number of rebel commanders. In this regard, the activity of armed detachments operating in the jungle has significantly decreased. Observers note that the number of heavy weapons (mortars, machine guns and RPGs) has decreased in the Colombian illegal formations, as well as in numbers.
The Dominican Republic also uses its “Super Tucano” to combat drug trafficking. After this country received the first turboprop aircraft at the end of 2009 and successfully intercepted several light aircraft carrying a load of drugs, smugglers began to avoid flying into the airspace of the Dominican Republic. It has been reported that Dominican A-29B also patrol over Haiti.
Interest in acquiring A-29B Super Tucano was expressed by the US Special Operations Command. In February, the United States and the Brazilian Embraer signed an agreement in February, according to which the Super Tukano, in a slightly modified form, will be built in the United States at the Embraer plant in Jacksonville, Florida. The task of these machines, equipped with sophisticated radio-electronic equipment, will be aviation support of special units, reconnaissance and surveillance during anti-terrorist operations. Part of the aircraft built in the United States, is intended as a military aid to Iraq and Afghanistan. In January 2013, the first four A-2016s arrived in Afghanistan. Before that, Afghan pilots were trained in the United States at the Moody Air Force Base in Georgia.
In 1978, five years earlier than the Brazilian Tukano, mass production of the Swiss Pilatus PC-7 began. In the same year, the first deliveries to Bolivia and Burma began. A double training monoplane with a low wing and retractable three-bearing landing gear was a success with the flight and technical staff, in total more than 600 aircraft were built. The design of the Pilatus PC-7 has a lot in common with the piston Pilatus PC-3. It is symbolic that the Tukano and Pilatus used a very successful turboprop engine of the same model Pratt Whitney Canada PT6A-25With 750 power.
PC-7 initially had a purely civilian purpose. Swiss legislation has serious restrictions on the supply of arms abroad. Therefore, “Pilatusy”, received by foreign customers, were finished already in place in accordance with their own preferences and capabilities. Armed with the PC-7 can carry up to a ton of combat load on the 6 external suspension nodes. It can be machine-gun containers, NAR, bombs and incendiary tanks. Before the advent of the EMB-312 Tucano, the Pilatus PC-7 had almost no competitors and it was a huge success on the global arms market. Everyone was pleased, the Swiss were selling it as a purely peaceful TCB, and after a little refinement, customers received an effective and inexpensive counterguerrilla attack aircraft. Unlike the Brazilian company Embraer, which advertises its cars as lightweight anti-guerrilla attack aircraft, the Swiss Pilatus Aircraft sells its aircraft as training aircraft, and avoids mention of their participation in hostilities. For this reason, despite the fact that the career of “Pilatusov” is full of combat episodes, there is little information in open sources about this. The most large-scale armed conflict, where they fought, was the Iran-Iraq war. Turboprop "Pilatus" Iraqi Air Force provided direct aviation support to small units and corrected artillery fire. It is known that from several machines mustard gas was sprayed in areas densely populated by Kurds. The use of chemical weapons with PC-7 has led to the tightening of control by the Swiss government over the export of TCB, which in many ways paved the way for Brazilian Tukano.
Beginning in 1982, the PC-7 of the Guatemalan Air Force launched strikes against rebel camps in the jungle. One plane was shot down with a return fire from the ground, and at least one that received serious damage had to be written off. Guatemalan Pilatuses were actively used on combat missions until the end of the conflict in 1996.
Angola’s RS-7 air force played a key role in the liquidation of the UNITA Angolan opposition movement. Armed with light phosphorus bombs and NAR turboprop attack aircraft piloted by mercenaries of the South African firm Executive Automs, invited by the Angolan government. Pilatus pilots, flying over the jungle at low altitudes, opened up the facilities, and the UNITA front lines fired upon them at the NAR and marked them with phosphorous ammunition. After that, the MiG-23 and the An-26 and An-12 "bombers" entered the scene. Such tactics have repeatedly increased the accuracy and effectiveness of the bombing.
In 1994, PC-7, the Mexican Air Force launched rocket attacks on the camps of the Zapatist National Liberation Army (SANO). Human rights organizations cited evidence that many civilians were injured in the process, which eventually resulted in a ban imposed by the Swiss government on the sale of training aircraft to Mexico.
In the second half of 90, the private military company Executive Outcomes used several PC-7 to provide direct air support for combat operations in Sierra Leone.
Pilatus PC-7 and Pilatus PC-9 have become evolutionary development options for Pilatus PC-21. Serial production of PC-9 began in 1985 year, the first customer was the Air Force of Saudi Arabia. From the PC-7, the TCB PC-9 was distinguished by the Pratt-Whitney Canada engine of the PT6-62 X-horsepower 1150, a more durable glider, improved aerodynamics and ejection seats. The combat load remained the same.
PC-9 was ordered mainly by countries that had operating experience with PC-7. Due to restrictions on sales to countries involved in armed conflicts or having problems with separatists, as well as competition with Embraer EMB-312 Tucano, sales of Pilatus PC-9 did not exceed 250 units.
It is known that PC-9 of the Air Force of Chad participated in the fighting on the border with Sudan, and the Air Force of Myanmar used them to fight the rebels. Aircraft of this type were also available in Angola, Oman and Saudi Arabia. These countries with a high degree of probability could use aircraft in combat as scouts and light attack aircraft, but there are no reliable details.
PC-9 is manufactured in the USA under license from Beechcraft Corporation under the designation T-6A Texan II. The American version differs from the PC-9 in the shape of the cockpit lantern. The number of US-built TCBs surpassed the Swiss original many times and exceeded 700 units.
On the basis of TCB T-6A created several combat options. T-6A Texan II NTA is designed to use unguided weapons - machine gun containers and NAR. The aircraft differs from the base TCB by the presence of suspension units and the simplest sight. At the modernized T-6B Texan II with the same composition of weapons installed "glass cabin" with LCD displays and more advanced sighting equipment. On the T-6C Texan II added additional nodes suspension arms, it is intended for export sales. T-6D Texan II based on T-6B and T-6C is the latest modification of the multipurpose training center for the US Air Force.
Designed specifically to perform the shock functions of the AT-6B, the Wolverine is capable of carrying a wide range of guided aircraft weapons and various reconnaissance equipment on seven suspension points. AT-6B can be used for solving various tasks: direct aviation support, advanced aviation guidance, application of point strikes by guided munitions, observation and reconnaissance with the possibility of high-precision coordinate registration, streaming video and data transmission. Compared with earlier versions, the AT-6B has a strengthened airframe design and introduced a number of additional technical solutions to increase survivability. The aircraft has a missile attack warning system, an electronic warfare control system ALQ-213, and a radio communications equipment ARC-210. Engine power increased to 1600 HP
It is reported that in the course of "testing" in a number of missions, in providing direct support to the Special Forces, AT-6B proved better than the A-10 attack aircraft.
Turboprop T-6 aircraft of various modifications were delivered to Canada, Greece, Iraq, Israel, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand and the UK. Widespread T-6 as a light attack aircraft prevents its high price. So, without weapons, armor, and reconnaissance and guidance equipment, the cost of the T-6 is about 500 000 $. The EMB-314 Super Tucano costs about the same, but already armed. In addition, in a number of sources it was mentioned that the “Super Tucano” is simpler and cheaper to maintain. An indirect confirmation of this is that the Special Operations Forces of the United States and the Afghan Air Force chose the Brazilian aircraft as a light attack aircraft.
Since 2008, Pilatus PC-21 has been supplied to customers. When creating a new TCB, the Pilatus designers relied on the experience gained in the PC family of machines. The management of the Swiss Pilatus Aircraft announced that PC-21 was created in order to capture at least 50% of the global TCB market. In reality, today sold a little more than 130 aircraft.
Best aerodynamic performance, Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68B 1600 hp engine and the new wing give the PC-21 a higher roll and top speed than the PC-9. The aircraft is equipped with a very advanced avionics and has the ability to adapt flight data for specific requirements.
In addition to the Swiss Air Force, PC-21 was shipped to Australia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. As an option on the plane, it is possible to place five external suspension units, with a total capacity of 1150 kg. However, in the current situation, PC-21 cannot compete with Brazilian and American vehicles as a light "counterguerrilla" attack aircraft.
Common to all aircraft mentioned in this publication is the use of very successful turboprop engines of various modifications of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A family. According to their weight and size characteristics, power and specific fuel consumption, these turbine engines are the best suited for training aircraft and light attack aircraft. Historically, turboprop TCBs were in great demand as "anti-insurgency" aircraft. Initially, they carried only unguided weapons: machine guns, NAR, free-fall bombs and incendiary tanks. However, the desire to improve the accuracy of air strikes, reduce vulnerability to fire from the ground and make light attack aircraft all day long led to the fact that these machines began to carry very sophisticated and sophisticated search and targeting systems and high-precision guided aircraft ammunition. So, the cost of sighting and navigation equipment and weapons of the American AT-6B Wolverine is comparable to the cost of the aircraft itself. The combat experience gained in a number of local conflicts and anti-terrorist campaigns has shown that a modern "anti-partisan" aircraft must have the following characteristics:
1. The maximum speed is no more than 700 km / h, and the working one is no more than 300-400 km / h. Otherwise, the pilot will experience a shortage of time for aiming, which, in general, it turned out during the Second World War and was confirmed in Korea and Vietnam.
2. "Anti-guerrilla" aircraft should have cockpit body armor and the most important parts of small arms and modern means of countering MANPADS.
3. Depending on the task, the aircraft should be able to use a wide range of guided and unguided weapons, to operate day and night, for which a set of optoelectronic and radar suspension and embedded systems is necessary. When performing "anti-terrorist" tasks and providing direct air support for a combat load of 1000-1500 kg, it is quite enough.
Comparing the Tukan class aircraft with the Su-25 and A-10 jet fighters in service in the Air Force, it can be noted that with the “working” speed of 500-600 km / h, there is often not enough time for visual detection of the target, taking into account the pilot's response. Jet attack aircraft capable of carrying a large "payload" created to combat armored vehicles in a "big war", acting against all sorts of insurgents, often spend it irrationally.
Combat helicopters are better suited to perform "special tasks", their combat load is comparable to that capable of carrying turboprop attack aircraft. But it should be recognized that, due to the design features, both at a lower speed and at a higher cost, the helicopter is an easier target for anti-aircraft fire than a Tukan class combat aircraft. In addition, the residence time of a turboprop attack aircraft in the target area due to significantly lower specific fuel consumption can be several times longer than that of a helicopter. An important factor, especially for the Third World countries, is that the cost of the flight hour of a turboprop “anti-rebel” attack aircraft may be several times less than that of a combat helicopter or a jet combat aircraft when performing the same task.
In various "hot spots" around the world, UAVs have been widely used in the last decade, giving rise to a real "unmanned boom". On the "Military Review" in a number of comments, the opinion was repeatedly expressed that light attack aircraft, or as they were even called "under-aircraft" in the near future, will be replaced by remotely piloted aircraft. But reality shows the opposite trend - interest in light universal turboprop combat aircraft is only growing. For all their merits, RPVs are more of a means of reconnaissance and surveillance, and in terms of their strike potential they cannot yet be compared with manned aircraft. The experience of using American armed drones the medium-class MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper demonstrated that these devices, capable of hanging in the air for hours, are great for single point strikes, such as the elimination of militant leaders. But due to the limited carrying capacity, drones, as a rule, are not able to provide effective fire support during special operations or “press fire” on attacking militants.
The undeniable advantages of RPVs compared to manned aircraft are lower operating costs and the absence of the risk of death or capture of pilots in the event of equipment failure or an aircraft or helicopter being hit by anti-aircraft weapons. However, in general, the situation with drones is not so favorable due to their high accident rate. According to data published in the American media, during the campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, as of 2010, more than 70 RPVs were lost. The cost of the crashed and downed drones amounted to almost $300 million. As a result, the money saved on lower operating costs went to replenish the UAV fleet. It turned out that the communication channels and data transmission of drones were vulnerable to interference and interception of the information they broadcast. The extremely lightweight design and the inability of strike and reconnaissance UAVs to perform sharp anti-aircraft maneuvers, combined with a narrow camera field of view and a significant response time to commands, makes them very vulnerable even in the event of minor damage. In addition, modern drones and control centers contain “critical technologies” and software that Americans are extremely reluctant to share. In this regard, the United States offers its allies in the "anti-terrorist war" more flexible in the use of turboprop "counter-guerrilla" attack aircraft with a wide range of guided and unguided weapons.
To date, the Tukan class aircraft have competitors in the face of light combat aircraft created on the basis of agricultural vehicles (for more information on "agricultural attack aircraft", read here: Combat Agricultural Aviation). This once again confirms the increased interest in light strike aircraft. But in terms of the range of tasks they perform and the flight data, the “agricultural attack aircraft” cannot compete with the “tukan class” aircraft.
Based on:
http://defense.txtav.com/en/at-6
http://www.pwc.ca/en/engines/pt6a
http://freepages.military.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~otranto/fab/tucano_t27.htm
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