BRASILIA, Nov. 26 (Xinhua)
Brazilian Vice President Michel Temer and his Nigerian counterpart Namadi Sambo met here Tuesday for strategic bilateral talks to bolster ties.
At a press conference following the first session of their bilateral mechanism of strategic talks, the two leaders announced the creation of working groups to strengthen bilateral relations in security and defense, among other areas. They said they will sign an agreement to share intelligence, particularly on drug-related crimes.
They also discussed the possible
repatriation of 377 Nigerian prisoners
convicted of a variety of crimes in Brazil, including drug trafficking. The two countries also hope to boost cooperation in the areas of trade and
investment, agriculture and food security, consular and legal matters, mining, culture and energy.
Sambo expressed Nigeria’s interest in
purchasing Brazilian-made Super Tucano airplanes, a move that would reduce Brazil’s 5-billion-U.S. dollar trade deficit with the African nation.
“Nigeria is Brazil’s main trade partner on the African continent,” Temer said, noting their two-way trade grew from 1.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2002 to 9.1 billion dollars in 2012. “At today’s meeting, Nigeria offered opportunities to several Brazilian infrastructure and energy companies to work there,” said Temer.
Brazil is considering opening an office of Brazil’s National Bank for Economic and Social Development in Nigeria to increase Brazilian investment there. The Brazil-Nigeria mechanism for strategic talks was launched during Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff’s two-day visit to the African country in February.
Beegeagle's Blog 
Elsewhere 2 YEARS AGO, BEEGEAGLE WROTE:
Burkinabe Air Force EMB 314 Super Tucano – three units delivered in 2011
Panoply of Super Tucano armaments
You know,gentlemen, some years back when we found ourselves discussing the prospective acquisition of new platforms (Chinese F-7s and Czech L-59 ALCAs) by the NAF, some of my fellow discussants joined me in saying that whereas fabulous fighter jets (such as the SU-30MK) were very desirable for the NAF, there is also the need for “special aircraft” adapted to the kinds of military engagements which Nigerian forces frequently get up to(such as the LBR/SLR wars, the engagements with the Taliban in Panshekara and the Mandara Mountains, the Islamist insurgency in the Far North and the Niger Delta conflict.
We did point out the fact that during the Chad-Libya War over the Aouzou Strip, the ease of maintenance, endurance and operational ruggedness required for the theatre of operations meant that the Libyans, by and large, used a rough-and-ready basic trainer-type aircraft which had been specially adapted for combat with cannons, rockets and bombs….that was the Italian-built SIAI Marchetti SF260W. The Libyans used those airframes in the desert far more than they fielded MiGs,Tupolevs, Mirages or Sukhois
In addition to our clamour for 4G+ jets Mi-24V/Mi-35P attack helicopters, Harbin Z-9WA armed utility helicopters and Mi-171Sh Terminator assault helicopters, we feel the need to draw attention to a unique airframe based on its versatility in COIN and CAS-BAI missions.
We have sometimes wondered if the NAF knew that it could similarly put to use, some of its large fleet of SIXTY Air Beetle basic trainers in many COIN/CASBAI roles for which gunships are normally deployed.
That was what the Biafran Air Force did with her Minicons(Biafran Babies) during the Civil War, it is what the Tamil Tigers are using the Czech Zlin basic trainers for in the ongoing Sri Lankan Civil War and as has been stated, it was used by the Libyans in the battle for Chad’s Aouzou Strip. Such aircraft as the Marchetti,Zlin,Tucano,Beetle,Pilatus etc, can be very useful in ‘irregular warfare'(bush wars, unconventional and guerrilla warfare) because they can be fitted with bombs, cannons, machine guns and rockets pods (like gunships) they typically have great flight endurance, can operate out of short runways/dirt tracks,can be easily/quickly refuelled and are very nimble.
One VERY, VERY important advantage is that they feature low IR signature (perhaps lower signatures than gunships) and this makes them difficult to hit by heat-seeking missiles. Does anyone remember that similar Tamil Tiger Zlin aircraft shot down early in 2009 during an attack on Colombo were brought down by anti-aircraft artillery…NOT heat-seeking missiles?
Now, the Americans quite rightly want the Brazilian Tucano turboprops for counter-insurgency operations. There are PRICELESS lessons for the Nigerian Armed. Forces to take away from all of this, if you ask me.
U.S. Eyes Super Tucano For SpecOps Work
(NSI News Source Info) March 14, 2009:
The U.S. Navy’s new Irregular Warfare office has been looking at an agile Brazilian observation and ground-attack turboprop to provide an “organic” close air support aircraft for special operations forces.
The Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, also named ALX or A-29 is a turboprop aircraft designed for light attack, counter insurgency (COIN) and pilot training missions, incorporating modern avionics and weapons systems. It is currently in service with the air forces of Brazil, and Colombia, and has been ordered by Chile and the Dominican Republic. Embraer has plans to sell it to other countries in Asia and the Middle East. Besides pilot training, it is heavily employed in monitoring operations in the Amazon region.
Under the classified “Imminent Fury” program, the Navy has already leased, tested and armed at least one Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano, according to Capt. Mark Mullins, a naval special warfare officer serving as the deputy director of the Navy Irregular Warfare Office at the Pentagon.
“This is a close air support, manned aircraft with a pilot and sensor operator. The idea here is that SOF needs an organic capability that can stick with them while they’re doing their mission,” Mullins said. “We’re not buying them; we’re leasing them right now. That’s an important point.”
Speaking March 12 at an exposition on expeditionary warfare in Virginia Beach, Va., Mullins said the intent is to put four of the single-engine aircraft into the fight as quickly as possible.
“Now we’re in an operational pause, trying to figure out how to get to Phase II. We need about $44 million,” he said. “Back to the method of venture capitalism, we’re working with the Air Force and Marine Corps, socializing it with those guys to see if we can get money invested and get to Phase II, where we’re taking four aircraft into theater.”
The EMB-314 is flown by the military forces of Brazil and Colombia, according to Christine Manna,communications director at Embraer’s office for North America in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
As well, Manna said, Chile bought 12 planes and the Dominican Republic bought eight, but the planes have not been delivered yet.
The Super Tucano has a flight endurance of more than six hours, carries several sensors, can be armed with a heavy machine gun in each wing and has mounts for bombs, cannon and rocket pods, according to Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft 2008-9
Calling it a”fascinating piece of kit,” Mullins said “the proof of concept” is complete after a year of testing. But he described Imminent Fury as his new office’s “most contentious project,” mostly due to wariness from naval aviation.”You can imagine the SOF guys and Marines really love this,” he said. “The challenge here, and why it’s so contentious, is it falls into the seam where it’s really not clear whose bailiwick it is. It’s not a marinized aircraft. It doesn’t fly off the carrier.”
Mullins said the Super Tucano can be landed on an unimproved airstrip such as a road, refueled in minutes and sent right back into the fray. A briefing slide on the Imminent Fury project obtained by Defense News sister publication Navy Times identifies the need for a “tactical fixed wing [intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance] platform to provide expeditionary, organic Find/Fix/Finish operations for SOF Forces in a maneuverable, long range, low heat signature platform.”
The project began following a visit by Navy Secretary Donald Winter with naval special warfare task forces in the Central Command area in October 2007, according to a similar brief.”It’s not about flying in from 1,000 miles away, dropping some thousand-pound bombs and leaving,” Mullins said.
“It’s about working with [the ground force], doing the intelligence preparation of the battlespace, doing a [communication] relay, close air support, eyes on target and if there’s squirters leaving the target, keeping up with them and tracking them down and doing [bomb damage assessment] at the end.”
Although Mullins said the project is awaiting funding to move forward, a slide in Mullins’ presentation indicated it’s sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Naval Air Systems Command and the Navy.”Imminent Fury is a classified Navy initiative to address urgent warfighter needs,” said Lt. Sean Robertson, a Navy spokesman at the Pentagon.
“Initial developmental testing has been promising, and the Navy is currently conducting discussions with our Joint partners on various courses of action as this initiative moves forward.”Mullins delivered an unclassified brief, but details of Imminent Fury remain classified, Robertson said.
The Irregular Warfare office, part of the Navy staff at the Pentagon, was established in July under the direction of Adm. Gary Roughead, the chief of naval operations. It’s headed by Rear Adm. Mark Kenny, a submariner.
“Our goal is to rapidly deliver capabilities and effects,” Mullins said. “And we are the CNO’s lead for irregular warfare.”
EMBRAER EMB-314 SUPER TUCANO:
wingspan 11.14 meters
wing area 19.4 sq.mtrs
length 11.42 meters
height 3.9 meters
empty weight 2,420 kg
MTO weight 3,190 kg
max speed(alt) 555kph
take-off run 350 mtrs
landing run 550 meters
service ceiling 10,670m
range, internal fuel 1,570 kilometers
Oga beeg
You have got mail
Excellent choice for COIN ops, I will prefer that they be shared between the Airforce and the Army SFs
The NA, NN and NAF all have special forces units and also have trained aviators. If joint operations is the goal which you have in mind, nothing stops them from having an Assymetric Operations Command at DHQ level.
Each service would then contribute pilots and a company of SF commandos each; with the Army and Airforce additionally contributing a mixed company-strong contingent of anti-aircraft gunners (we could use Vulcan 20mm and ZU-23-2 23mm cannons to fortify strongholds and the Command’s battle positions held by troops deployed in platoon-sized contingents) and four companies of highland warfare, jungle warfare, amphibious warfare and desert warfare specialists.
If you ask me, the FG should reach for a cool 16 units in the first instance. A tiny Dominican Republic grabbed eight units for goodness sake. So no token gestures which would end up having little or no impact on combat operations.
One has already pointed out the fact that the combined land area of the three NE states under emergency rule is equal to the total LAND AREA of Sierra Leone and Liberia put together. The land area of Borno is comparable to that of Sierra Leone, Yobe’s is roughly equal in size to Togo. So work it out and tell me what else gives if not enough assets to saturate the area if our troops are expected to make a dent out there.
The said Command could also do with six units of Mi-24V/35P attack helics and six units of Mi-17s which, if acquired from the huge surplus stocks in Russia, would cost no more than US$40-50 million for that haul of twelve airframes.
This Command would be the composite triservice punching arm of DHQ, rapidly deployable to aid regular and special forces units wherever deployed on combat operations. A veritable and cohesive tip-of-the-spear unit.
It should be a 1,250-man force of SF commandos, specialists, pilots and aircraft engineers+technicians to be commanded by an Air Commodore who should either be a pilot who has participated in all three air combat operations listed – ECOMOG/Niger Delta/Boko Haram Insurgency. The Commander should be deputised by a naval Captain selected from the SBS and an army Colonel who should ideally be a combat-seasoned veteran of any two of the following three major operational epochs that are the ECOMOG era/Gunboat War in the Niger Delta/Northern Insurgency.
Should be tђe logical thing to do….. But they won’t give navy SF fixed wings….though I would prefer if I was a navy SF to have my fellow brother that I know personally protecting me from above…… That why I said it should be shared between airforce regular units and army specialised unit, for our NN to get to fly those plane,I don’t think it will happen.
The Tucano is the ideal choice for COIN/ IS ops.
I second, third and fourth this.
I would suggest 5 squadrons with a training squadron. Sokoto, Yola, Maiduguri, Calabar and Benin
I would also suggest that certain sections of Federal highway be straightened and strengthen so they can be used as emergency landing strips.
The deal must also include technology transfer, with local assembly and using Nigeria as a maintenance centre
Haba Peccavi..five squadrons! Naija nor get dat kind big heart. 12-16 airframe squadrons would mean 60-80 units. Nigeria is the only country trying so hard to shrink so that nobody feels threatened by such a big and potentially powerful nation. We like to do it small 🙂
Anyway, I like the spread of the airframes. As you well know, I have always deployed my imaginary aircraft around four strategic corridors at our peripheral territories – LAGOS facing coastal West Africa, SOKOTO facing sahelian West Africa; MDGR facing sahelian West and Central Africa and CALABAR facing our Central African neighbourhood in the Gulf of Guinea. So that sits well with me. For a Super Tucano with a combat radius of nearly 1,000 miles (will go deeper with drop tanks), it is clear that we could have attacked the BH terrorists and their Malian allies right at Gao and direct from Sokoto.
On another note, because of lower rainfall, better drainage and the open plains, we have better and straight stretches of paved highways in the Far North which can be used for emergency landings. The Police only need to appear with Hilux vans, “ROAD CLOSED” banners and wailing sirens in tow to block of a kilometre-long stretch of paved highway and these airframes can take off and land…even as they are built to operate from unpaved surface (dirt tracks)
Oga, if I say 5 maybe them go manage give us 3 at least.
But I was thinking of a 12 plane squadron structure, with 6 pairs of aircraft, meaning you can have 2 pairs on patrol, 2 on ground support, one reserve and one uncommitted pair you can use for unforseen taskings.
Hmn..the justification nuh bad at all. I just have learnt to keep my expectations modest since we appear to do stuff on the acquisition front, almost grudgingly
The Super Tucano would definitely be a good choice for operations in the NE. It is a welcome if not belated development, which I have always hoped the NAF would consider.
I cannot see our stingy politicians going for more that a squadron of say 12 aircraft (the usual failure to look at the bigger picture).
Regarding the USAF’s interest in this excellent aircraft, Hawker Beechcraft with their AT-6 blocked the purchase back in 2012 and I am not sure what the current status is with their spec ops plans.
A deal with the Brazilians would make better sense as we are likely to get technology transfer and possible off-set deals.
Now MOD, enough with the showing interest and talking, go for it.
Indeed, bro. Like we say in Naija, “the earlier, the better” 🙂
Na wah o! oga Beeg, the L159 and Aerostar MIG 21 upgrades spring to mind. I fear it will be all talk, but hope springs eternal.
Correction: L159 planned purchase.
I think we have let that opportunity slip. But I do not rue that as a loss. The Czechs initially placed an order for 72 units of L159s, then they later had to declare 24 units to be surplus to requirements in the wake of budget cutbacks. Those 24 surplus units, brand-new, were on offer for 25 million apiece. That was way too pricey, if you ask me.
With the competing L15 Falcon and Yak-130 jets priced in the US$10-15 million range, it was always going to be a mountain to climb for the L159.
Stemming from my doubts that we shall seriously be looking for any Western-made jets anytime soon (since they come as stripped down and laden with implications), I believe that the L15 Falcon which can be used as Lead-In Fighter Trainer for the JF17 Thunder, J10 and J11/Su-30 will almost certainly be the AT/LA jet which the NAF shall be getting.
The NAF appear to have struck a useful training support partnership with the Pakistanis and China are all too willing to deliver jets which are nearly full options packages on a simple buy-and-fly-away basis sans political grandstanding of any sort. They also have China EXIM Bank ready to provide Preferential Buyers’ Credit to back up such transactions.
While my favorite fighter jet is the Sukhoi Su-30, I have a strong belief that a Nigeria which tries too hard to advertise her innocuous intentions albeit needlessly so, shall ultimately settle for L15 Falcon and JF17 Thunder jets. Nigeria want to be right in everybody’s books (enough already..it is not working)and that wimpy inclination is no way to build a strong nation.
Look to Syria for the meaning of “might is right”. They spared no expense in fortifying their nation as a matter of life and death. The traditional campaign of calumny in the international media which has dethroned many governments elsewhere has failed completely in Syria and haven chosen non-dithering partners such as China and Russia without flip-flopping like a yoyo, there shall be no forced regime change in Syria. As we speak, the Syrian government retains the battlefield initiative over the Free Syrian Army who can only now upload videos to Youtube…dubious videos which the supposedly unbiased global media have sought to rely on in the manner of eternal truths and against the grain of journalistic ethics.
Nigeria must never be afraid of asserting herself when it is imperative that we do so. On this mortal sphere, men tread on sand and not on egg shells, so there is nothing wrong with stamping one’s feet on the ground. We need not under-serve the military to please anybody who will only be too glad to see us crouching.
I don’t rue the missed opportunity regarding the L159 for the reasons you have pointed out oga Beeg. It is the tendency to let the opportunities slip by that is a concern. There doesn’t appear to be any urgency regarding procurement of needed platforms. It is as if they hope the problems will all go away and they won’t have to spend the money.
Well, not on the military anyway. Very frustrating.
NAF PROMOTES 15 AIR VICE MARSHALS,
92 OTHERS
November 27, 2013
Abuja, Nov. 27, 2013 (NAN)
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Wednesday announced the promotion of 107 senior officers, including 15 Air Vice Marshals. This is contained in a statement in Abuja and signed by Air Commodore Dele Alonge, on behalf of the Director, Public Relations and Information.
According to the statement, the officers
affected are 15 Air Vice Marshals, 39 Air
Commodores, 31 Group Captains and 22
Wing Commanders.
Those promoted to the rank of Air Vice
Marshals are Elam Nzokala, Christopher
Gudi, Suleiman Dambo, Victor Udoh,
Chukwuma Mojekwu, Emmanuel Akogu,
Eche Agwungwu, Muhammadu
Muhammed and Uko Ebong. Others are Ibrahim Umaru, Benjamin Nweze, Sani Ahmed, Rufus Ojuawo, Lawal Alao and Stephen Onuh.
The officers elevated to the rank of Air
Commodore include Oluwole Akinsanya,
Isiaka Amao, Ayuba Lassa, Christopher
Umolu, Abdulganiyu Olabisi, Danladi
Bausa, Ibukun Ojeyemi, Remigius Ekeh
and Christopher Dola. Others in the rank are Lazarus Mshelia, Aliyu Pani, Dahiru Sanda, Mahmud Madi, Usman Suleiman, Charles Ohwo,Mohammed Yakubu, Emmanuel Wonah, Idi Lubo and Akugbe Iyamu.
According to the statement, others promoted to the same rank are Morgan
Idonibo, Dauda Prayero, John Ochomma,
Sonny Ohemu, Paul Jemitola, Sambo
Usman, Emenike Umeoka, Chinwedu
Onyike, Taofiki Oladega. Musa Tanko, Hyacinth Eze, Ayodele Dudusola, Nelson Camday, Christopher Egwoba, Abdullahi Kassimu, lliyasu Yahaya, Olatokunbo Adesanya, Dele Alonge, Ado Inuwa and Emmanuel Akinbayo were also elevated as Air Commodores.
The newly promoted Group Captains
include Anthony Ekpe, Ikechukwu
Ogbodo, Gideon Bako, Okey Ezeanyagu,
Anthony Martins, Esen Efanga, Ndubuisi
Okoro, Micheal Ekwueme, Chidiebere
Obiabaka and Simon Peter. Others promoted to the rank are Mohammed Yusuf, Ayo Famuyiwa, Henry Yurkusi, Ademuyiwa Adedoyin, John Laoye, Jibril Usman, Abdullahi Bello, Abdulrasheed Kotun, Felix Uwakara, Abubakar Sule, Olufemi Odeyinde.
Gbolahan Oremosu, Olasunkanmi Abu,
Loveday Wariboko, Mohammed Ibrahim,
Luther Kamat, Sylvanus Ojo, Razaq
Olarenwaju, John Opara, Wapkerem
Maigida and Zayyan Usman also got
promoted as Group Captains.
The statement, however, did not state the list of those promoted as Wing
Commanders.
Wow, I’m beginning to see a well balanced Nigerian military. More grease to their elbows
I JUST PRAY THAT VP SAMBO has the authority not just to express intrest but to go ahead and start the groundwork for acquiring these planes.
SORRY interest.
The Tucano would be a good aircraft for NAF CT COIN OPs.It would be economical for advanced pilot training.
@Gen Beeg,I beg to differ on the suggestion that these Brazilian Tucanoes should be flown by the three armed services.Suffice it to say that, the 3 armed services(army,navy and air force) all have their unique and respective core competencies.A situation where the core competency of the NAF would be diluted by allowing the army or navy in Nigeria to own fixed- wing attack planes,reduces the NAF as a mere support unit instead of a full fledged combat service!
Hence the NAF should be the only service to fly the Tucanoe if it would ever come to Nigeria.
Air Marshal Gbash10, that was rather vehement 🙂 ?
Haba wingman, NO WAY that anyone can usurp the NAF’s role now. Sole ownership of all jet aircraft – L39, A-Jet, Aermacchi, F-7NI AirGuard, G222, C130-H30. Not even the the USN’s ownership of F14s threatened the lustre of the USAF. We are talking COIN airframes here..would anyone say that Su-25 Frogfoot or the beast that is the Flanker be acquired for the NA or NN?
The essential NAF signature is there for all to see..reason why we suggested that a NAF one-star general heads the command. The triservice element would chiefly manifest in ground operations and in the NA air defence arty+NAF air defence corps collabo.
Your thoughts again?
The Tucano is a great aircraft. Another very good option is the Air Tractor® AT-802U (www.802u.com) bellow is information about it. NB: I work with the Nigerian company that is the representative of the manufacturer.
A True Irregular Warfare Aircraft
The Air Tractor® AT-802U is an economical single engine turboprop aircraft designed for surveillance, precision strike, and rugged dirt strip utility missions. The AT-802U combines an 8,000-lb. (3,629 kg) payload and 10-hour ISR mission capability with the flexibility and responsiveness of a manned weapon system – for a fraction of the cost of unmanned aerial vehicle systems.
» Real-time eye in the sky for ground troop support
» Integrated fire control system
» Training-focused force support
» Small logistics footprint
AT-802U: For COIN / CAS Operations
Particularly well suited for force application and situational awareness roles in asymmetrical warfare theatres of operation, the AT-802U is both economical and effective. Like a truck, the aircraft is utilitarian in nature: tough, powerful, and configurable to simply get the job done. It can maintain very long endurance over target and can employ a wide range of weapons simultaneously, with a high degree of accuracy to minimize collateral damage.
With its balloon tires and rugged landing gear, the AT-802U is built to land and operate off unimproved airstrips – even dirt roads – providing unprecedented direct support and coordination with ground troops. The AT-802U can fly in extreme heat and dust conditions and with its massive fuel reserves, loiter over target to find, fix and finish when other fighters have to return to the tanker.
Force Application
The AT-802U brings firepower in close where it is needed and at the best speed for maximum effect. Capable of employing a large arsenal of weaponry, the aircraft has been built to employ dual .50 cal. GAU-19/A three-barrel Gatling guns, dual M260 7-tube rocket launchers, and 500 lb. Mk-82 bombs on nine wing and fuselage hard points (expandable to 15 hard points). The AT-802U is also configurable for more advanced systems depending on customer requirements. Laser guided ordnance, helmet mounted displays, fire control systems, survivability systems, and sensor payloads could all be incorporated into this robust aircraft.
With ground-to-air communication so vital in close air support missions, the AT-802U has been equipped with the Wulfsberg Flexcomm tactical modular multi-band airborne FM/AM/UHF radio communications system. This enables the aircrew to maintain radio communication with practically any radio system utilized by ground units.
Flying where others would not dare, the AT-802U protects aircrews with specially designed cockpit and engine armor, ballistic glass, and self-sealing fuel tanks. It also has mounting provisions for an optional AAR-47/ALE-47 survivability system.
The AT-802 is combat-proven in counter-drug operations in the USSOUTHCOM AOR by the U.S. Department of State. Despite taking more than 200 bullet strikes, AT-802 aircrews have maintained a 100% safety record with no loss of life or injury.
Force Application
The AT-802U brings firepower in close where it is needed and at the best speed for maximum effect. Capable of employing a large arsenal of weaponry, the aircraft has been built to employ dual .50 cal. GAU-19/A three-barrel Gatling guns, dual M260 7-tube rocket launchers, and 500 lb. Mk-82 bombs on nine wing and fuselage hard points (expandable to 15 hard points). The AT-802U is also configurable for more advanced systems depending on customer requirements. Laser guided ordnance, helmet mounted displays, fire control systems, survivability systems, and sensor payloads could all be incorporated into this robust aircraft.
With ground-to-air communication so vital in close air support missions, the AT-802U has been equipped with the Wulfsberg Flexcomm tactical modular multi-band airborne FM/AM/UHF radio communications system. This enables the aircrew to maintain radio communication with practically any radio system utilized by ground units.
Flying where others would not dare, the AT-802U protects aircrews with specially designed cockpit and engine armor, ballistic glass, and self-sealing fuel tanks. It also has mounting provisions for an optional AAR-47/ALE-47 survivability system.
The AT-802 is combat-proven in counter-drug operations in the USSOUTHCOM AOR by the U.S. Department of State. Despite taking more than 200 bullet strikes, AT-802 aircrews have maintained a 100% safety record with no loss of life or injury.
Situational Awareness
The AT-802U performs exceptionally well in an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance role at low altitudes. Its retractable L3 Wescam MX-15Di sensor turret system and optional Compact Multi-Channel Data Link (CMDL) system allows commanders to see the battle space in real time. CMDL is ROVER compatible and allows transmission of live video feed to other aircraft, air operations centers, or joint terminal attack controllers on the ground.
The 2-man AT-802U crew commands a level of situational awareness that unmanned aircraft, with “soda straw” sensor views, simply cannot match. NVG compatible lighting permits unconstrained AT-802U night ops. Ample fuselage and wing space for integration of sensors, datalinks and weapon systems make the AT-802U an ideal communications gateway platform for instant command and control with ground forces or other air assets.
Massive fuel tanks and the very efficient Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67F turbine engine allow for mission durations of 10 hours. The cockpit-forward payload area is configurable for a mission-extending fuselage fuel tank. Additionally, drop tanks can be added to wing/fuselage hard points to further extend loiter time.
Economical Operations
An effective military force knows that training makes the difference when
lives and victory are at stake. Configured with a tandem seat cockpit
and dual controls, the AT-802U is ideal for flight and weapons training
to develop tactics, techniques, and procedures. Coupled with a total
package maintenance and flight training program, operators can quickly
transition into the airframe and get to work.
With more than 340 successful deliveries of AT-802 agricultural and firefighting aircraft worldwide, AT-802 production costs and timelines are well established.
A simple rugged design, reliable flight systems, robust electrical system, minimal ground support equipment, and the proven Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67F turbine engine give the AT-802U impressive performance with a very low operation cost. In fact, in counter-drug operations U.S. Department of State maintenance statistics show the AT-802 has an average of 1.7 maintenance man hours per flight hour.
Standard AT-802U features
» Ballistic glass and cockpit/engine armor
» Self-sealing fuel tanks & emergency fuel tank shut-off
» AMSAFE Inflatable Restraint system integrated with a 5-point harness and crash
seat
» Crash-worthy airframe
» Air conditioner
» Large and reconfigurable fuel system
» Rough strip off-airfield landing gear
» Lightning protection
» High dust environment air induction system
Also note that a tatical advantage it has a long range of Range: 1,841 miles; 2,963 km .Longer than the tucano.
And can land anywhere there is a flat surface
@Gabriel Morka,bros,nice to hear from you.I believe the AT-802U Tractor is a US-built aircraft,how come did the US military choose to buy the Tucanoe instead of the AT-802U Tractor?Please shed more light on this,no offence!
@gbash10
Air Tractor originally developed the weaponized crop-duster derived turboprop in the hopes of selling it to the U.S. Air Force, which was looking for a light, armed reconnaissance plane for the Afghan military to use in combating insurgents in remote regions. But Brazilian manufacturer Embraer’s Super Tucano, developed from a plane used to train pilots, was the ultimate winner of that contract.
Rather than scrap the militarized plane, Air Tractor searched for buyers overseas.
The UAE Air Force and Air Defence received an initial batch of 10 Air Tractor AT-802Us between November 2010 and May 2011, and further aircraft are now being delivered.
The new AT-802Us are, however, not going to the regular air force, but to a shadowy new Special Forces air support unit being established as part of the UAE’s Special Operations Command. They are based at a new airport at Falaj Hazza camp on the outskirts of Al Ain.
While the USAF requirement stimulated the development of the AT-802U, it was always clear that there was a growing export requirement for such a light irregular warfare aircraft, and the AT-802U demonstrator was, therefore, displayed at the 2008 Paris Air Show.
In 2010, Lee Jackson, the chief designer at Air Tractor, announced that the company had launched production of the AT-802U surveillance, precision strike and utility aircraft for an undisclosed foreign customer. It was subsequently revealed that the UAE had become the first military buyer.
The AT-802U is a dedicated two-seat (tandem) military version of the basic Air Tractor agricultural aircraft, which has been built in a large number of sub-types, with more than 340 delivered to date.
The AT-802 is said to be the largest agricultural aircraft in production and in its AT-802F/AT-802AF and amphibious Fire Boss forms, the aircraft is claimed to be the world’s most successful single-engine fire-fighting aircraft.
Like its agricultural forebears, the AT-802U was built to be operated from unimproved airfields, dirt roads, and even farm fields and to be maintained from the back of a truck. As such, it is able to provide direct support to ground troops operating close to the frontline, and can fly in extreme heat and dust conditions.
The aircraft’s payload capability and the space conferred by the former ‘hopper’ provide massive fuel capacity, which could be further expanded through the use of drop tanks on wing/fuselage hard points. Even without external fuel, the AT-802U can remain on station for up to ten hours, long after other fighters or ground attack aircraft would have had to return to base or go to the tanker.
The airframe has a reinforced wing spar (certified for 12,000 flying hours) and some nine, 11 or even 15 hardpoints under the wings and fuselage for the carriage of up to 8,000 pounds of payload, including 500lb Mk 82 bombs or GBU12 laser-guided bombs, GAU-19/A three-barrel 12.7mm gun pods, M260 seven-round rocket launchers, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles or DAGR laser-guided rockets.
The aircraft also uses the new Moog Mini-Talon GPS/INS precision-guided stand-off glide bomb.
A retractable L3 Wescam MX-15Di sensor turret system is installed under the nose and the aircraft has a militarised, NVG-compatible glass cockpit. An optional ROVER-compatible CMDL allows live video to be streamed from the aircraft to controllers, other aircraft, or an air operations centre. The aircraft is also fitted with a Wulfsberg Flexcomm tactical modular multi-band airborne FM/AM/UHF radio communications system, which allows the pilot to communicate with practically any radio system used by ground units.
Its combat-proven in Department of State Latin American counter-drug operations and in colombia against FARC, where it has taken over 200 bullet strikes with no loss of life, and racked up a miniscule average of 1.7 maintenance man-hours per flight hour.
Hmmmnn..very strong question o.
@ General Beeg
As per your order question has been answere.
I will be sendind pics of the airtractor 802u to your email for you to show us here for we to analyze.
That would be advertising…and you have advertised enough for free already, my man :-).
Anyway, the mention of “TRADE DEFICIT” and the need to even out same to favour Nigeria tells me that like was mooted when I was a kid, barter trade is going to be it.
At the time when the NA where looking to acquire EE-9 Cascavel 90mm AFVs(75), it was meant to be an oil-for-arms barter deal. Perhaps that is what shall suffice here as well. Watch this space.
So finally maybe its going to be the Tucanos, everybody’s favourite subsonic COIN plane. Good that the NAF is finally waking up. This slow moving but modern platform carries enough sensors and attacking firepower to provide the necessary CAS that the special forces need.
Maintenance is going to be an initial problem being prop driven aircraft but with the right strategies this can really work.
yes marshal beeg, that was the proposed barter system of the 80s. the Engesa EE-9 Cascavel and EE-11 Urutu for the army. and 60 tucano aircraft as primary trainers for NAF.
its a shame the tucano aircraft barter deal did not go through. NAF later got some pilatus aircraft as primary trainer.
as for the super tucano, NAF should be the sole user. except in special cases, fixed wing aircraft should be exclusively a NAF turf zone. NA should concentrate on light attack/utility helicopters, and also on UAVs.
NN on the other hand might need some fixed wing aircraft for maritime surveillance and ASM role.
For the multiplier effect and bearing in mind the fact that the NAF’s Alenia Surveyor planes have reportedly shadowed hostile elements during counterpiracy operations on at least 3 occasions since November 2012…never mind the fanstastic bust of August 2013 within the Central Naval Command’s AOR, it might be necessary to RESTATE the fact the USN and the USCG are
offloading the P-3 Orion and the HU-25
Guardian respectively.
The HU-25 Guardian were upgraded before they began to be phased out as they take on CN 235 Ocean Sentry MPAs. Some of the HU-25 Guardian will be airborne through to 2014.
So we can position ourselves to pounce by putting in a request for about four units to take up positions at SOK, MDGR, LAG and CAL. We just might be able
to nick those for US$20 million in total and we can sustain them for another
decade as the nation grows richer and
folkss with more aggressive defence
procurement ideas take up positions in
Abuja.
The carrier airframe is a Falcon 20 and
we know that the NAF through the
instrumentality of the Presidential Air
Fleet are very familiar with FALCON
airframes.
More on the HU-25 GUARDIAN
(note the 3,350km range)
The HU-25 Guardian is a medium-range
surveillance fixed-wing aircraft. Also
referred to as the Coast Guard’s “Falcon”,the aircraft is a military derivative of the Dassault Falcon 20 business jet, of which more than 500 were built for worldwide use.
The HU-25 performs search and rescue, law enforcement such as migrant and drug interdiction, marine environmental protection, and military readiness. The first of 41 HU-25s was delivered in February 1982 and deliveries were complete by December 1983.
The HU-25A and HU-25D are 56ft 3in in length(the HU-25C is 57ft 6in), with a wingspan of 53ft 6in and height of 17ft 7in. The service ceiling is 42,000ft, though current avionics restrict operations to 28,000ft and below. Maximum cruise speed at altitude is 420kts, with a maximum operating speed of .855 Mach. Sea-level maximum airspeed is 350kts.
Key features of the Falcon include its dash speed and capable mission sensors. The three models of the HU-25 (-A, -C, and –D) are distinguished by their sensor complement.
The HU-25A has an APS-127 surface search radar. The HU-25C has an APG-66 air-to-air/surface search radar,electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor,and tactical workstation. The HU-25D has
an APS-143B multi-mode radar, EO/IR and tactical workstation. A sensor upgrade program in 2002-03 improved capabilities in HU-25Cs and reconfigured 6 HU-25As into HU-25Ds. An avionics upgrade in 2005-06 upgraded the navigation system with modern equipment common to the HH-65B.
Most of the HU-25s have been
decommissioned already, with complete
phase-out by 2014. They will be replaced by the HC-144A Ocean Sentry.
Performance
Maximum speed: 862 km/h (465 knots, 536 mph) (max cruise) at6,100 m (20,000 ft)
Cruise speed: 750 km/h (405 knots, 466 mph) (econ cruise) at 12,200m (40,000 ft)
Stall speed: 152 km/h (82 knots, 95 mph)
Range: 3,350 km (1,808 naut mi, 2,080 mi)
Service ceiling: 12,800 m (42,000 ft) (absolute)
II.
PRESIDENTIAL AIR FLEET
– one Boeing 737 BBJ
(Nigerian Air Force 001 or Eagle One)
– one Gulfstream IVSP
– one Gulfstream V
– one Cessna Citation 2 aircraft
– one Hawker Siddley 125-800
– a Gulfstream 550
– Two units of Falcon 7X jets
– Two units of Falcon 900 jets
My sole objection to the Air Tractor is that it is American and would therefore follow that we will not get the advanced systems for the laser guided bombs, helmet mounted displays etc, unless there is a serious change of attitude from the Americans
I still favour the Tucano but the AT-80 has longer range and the wide usage of the civilian vversion means spares will hopefully be cheaper.
If the US would sweeten the deal with technology transfer and local assembly/ licensing for sale and maintenance in Nigeria, plus discounts as per Egypt/ Israel, it would be a reasonable choice.
The lack of HUD etc can be easily rectified as it will be NATO standard that can be bought on the open market, however the Tucano would make more sense in terms of strengthening our ties with BRICs countries.
From an operational point of view they are both the same, but an air force type would be better suited to judge I guess
Due to its open architecture design almost any equipment from any source can be installed.
The NAF can as well get laser guided bombs from any other source apart from the USA and have same installed on the AT-802u.
Super Tucano will be good for present engagements in COIN operations. with a price of about $12m dollars each, a minimum of 20 units will be necessary. However, to develop our local skills, I strongly wish these aircraft are assembled here rather than outright delivery from Brazil. Its high time we strengthen our long awaited local tech advancement.
A fully equiped AT – 802U costs $4M. Thus the FGN can get 4 units for the cost of 1 super tucano
oga beeg is it true dat d FG signed a deal for d brazillian aircraft A-29?
I just pray the NAF will tap Brazilian expertise to create an armed version of the “FARAWA”
This AT80 seems to lack all round good pilot visibility compare to the tucano the cockpit of the tuncan is designed like a modern jet fighter
The AT802 is relatively inexpensive, but doesn’t have 360 degree visibility. Besides, the Tucano is a proven platform. With the number of sales to numerous countries all across the globe, I would recommend not re-inventing the wheel.