| EMB 312 Tucano | |
|---|---|
| Esquadrilha da Fumaça EMB 312 | |
| Role | Trainer aircraft, with small light attack capabilities |
| Manufacturer | Embraer |
| First flight | 16 August 1980 |
| Introduction | September, 1983 |
| Status | Active |
| Primary users | Brazilian Air Force Egyptian Air Force Argentine Air Force Peruvian Air Force French Air Force |
| Produced | 1980 |
| Number built | 504 |
| Variants | Short Tucano |
| Developed into | Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano |
The Embraer EMB 312 Tucano is a two seat turboprop basic trainer developed in Brazil. The prototype first flew in 1980 and initial production units were delivered in 1983. The Tucano family of aircraft became one of Embraer's first international marketing successes, with 600 units produced. An improved variant was licence-produced as the Short Tucano for the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force.
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In 1977 a request for proposals was issed by the Brazilian Ministry of Defence for a propeller-driven trainer to replace the Cessna T-37 Tweet with the Brazilian Air Force. Two companies responded, Neiva with a variant of the Neiva Universal and the Brazilian state owned aircraft manufacturer Embraer with the Lycoming TIO-541 powered EMB-301 basic trainer and a PT6 powered EMB-311 a higher performance trainer. None of the designs was acceptable to the Air Force but they liked the idea of the higher performance EMB-311 that could also be used for light attack missions. Embraer re-designed the 311 to produce the EMB-312 mainly with a more powerful PT6A engine and the rear seat was raised more. The rival Neiva YT-27B had already flown but when Embraer purchased the company it left the EMB-312 as the only contender.
Embraer received a contract for two prototypes and two test airframes in December that year. The first prototype flew on 16 August 1980, with the second flying for the first time on 10 December 1980.[1] The type was designed the T-27 by the Brazilian Air Force and the name Tucano was selected in October 1981. The Brazilian Air Force ordered 118 T-27 trainers and 50 AT-27 light attack variants.
The EMB-312 is designated T-27 in Brazilian Air Force (FAB) service. It is the aerobatic demonstration aircraft of the Brazilian Air Force Demonstration Squadron, the "Smoke Squadron" (Esquadrilha da Fumaça). The FAB purchased 133 AT-27 light attack versions. First exported to Honduras in 1984, the EMB-312 proved successful.
The upgraded EMB-312H "Super Tucano" was a losing contender in the USA's Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) aircraft selection of the 1990s. Among the seven designs to enter, the Raytheon/Pilatus entry won, which became the T-6 Texan II. Embraer worked with Northrop, which merged with Grumman part way through the competition to become Northrop Grumman. The EMB-312H's design later served as a starting point for the EMB-314, dubbed the ALX, and adopted by the Brazilian Air Force as the A-29.
The French Air Force operated 50 EMB 312F from 1993 to 2009. These aircraft replaced the Fouga Magister in the training role, and were based at Salon-de-Provence. The EMB 312F differed in having a ventral airbrake, a de-icing engine air intake and French avionics.
The French Tucano fleet was retired in 2009 as a cost-saving measure, despite the fact that most aircraft had only reached half of their potential operational life.
The Peruvian Air Force used the AT-27 for night bombing missions during the Cenepa War in 1995.[2]
On 27 November 1992, the aircraft were widely used by mutinied officers who staged a coup d'état against former President Carlos Andrés Pérez. The rebels dropped bombs and launched rockets against Police and government buildings in Caracas. Several aircraft, along with North American OV-10 Broncos were shot down during the uprising by F-16s flown by loyalist pilots.[3]
The aircraft, along with the Cessna A-37 Dragonfly, has been widely used for drug-busting operations in Central and South America.[4]
Data from Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide, Fifth Edition[12]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
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