On Tuesday, November 11, 2025, the Brazilian company Embraer announced that it is expanding the mission portfolio of its A-29 Super Tucano light turboprop attack aircraft to include the ability to effectively and cost-efficiently counter modern threats posed by unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS).
Image: Embraer
Building on the current capabilities of the A-29 platform and new sensors, including dedicated data links for receiving initial target coordinates and prioritizing them, an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor for tracking and laser designation, as well as laser-guided rockets and wing-mounted 12.7 mm machine guns for neutralizing designated drones, the operational concept (CONOPS, Concept of Operations) defined by Embraer will allow current and future A-29 users to integrate C-UAS capabilities into their operational profiles at any time.
“We continue to expand the A-29’s capabilities to address the most recent challenges faced by many nations worldwide,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “The continued challenges in modern warfare and the recent conflicts worldwide have shown the urgent need for solutions to fight drones. The A-29 is the ideal tool to counter UAS effectively and at low cost, adding to the aircraft’s already extensive mission set that includes close air support, armed reconnaissance, advanced training, and many others.”
The A-29 Super Tucano is already equipped with a precision target identification system, weapon systems, and a comprehensive communications suite. Its capabilities are further enhanced by advanced HMI avionics integrated into a robust airframe capable of operating from unprepared runways, in harsh conditions, and without infrastructure. Moreover, the aircraft features a simple maintenance concept that ensures a high level of reliability, availability, and structural integrity, all at low life-cycle costs.
Orders for the A-29 Super Tucano exceed 290 aircraft, which have accumulated more than 600,000 flight hours, including 60,000 in combat operations. The list of current and future operators includes 22 countries, among them the following disclosed users: Afghanistan, Angola, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ghana, Honduras, Indonesia, Colombia, Lebanon, the Philippines, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, the United States, and more recently Uruguay, Paraguay, Portugal (the A-29N variant for European NATO member states), and Panama. In the past, Ukraine also showed interest in the aircraft (the Embraer A-29 Super Tucano for Sierra Nevada Corporation).
NEWS | Embraer to expand A-29 Super Tucano capabilities to counter Unmanned Aerial Systems. Read full news: https://t.co/OHtfJ5g6Y0 pic.twitter.com/AhVWdMeV0y
— Embraer (@embraer) November 11, 2025
