A-29 Super Tucano converted into UAV hunter

The A-29 Super Tucano is a light attack aircraft popularized in movies about the Amazon jungle. The Brazilian and Colombian air forces and many other South American countries use this type of aircraft for training and patrol purposes.

Brazilian aerospace group Embraer plans to launch an upgrade package to convert the functionality of this aircraft.

Weapons that can be equipped on an A-29 Super Tucano. Photo: Embraer

Embraer has announced a new concept of operations for the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, expanding the mission portfolio to include counter-drone operations designed to address evolving threats on the battlefield.

According to a press release from Embraer, the new A-29 configuration integrates sensors, data links, and precision weapons to detect, track, and destroy unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in an effective and cost-effective manner. This update leverages the platform’s existing capabilities while introducing specialized systems optimized for counter-UAV missions.

The company said the upgraded A-29 uses dedicated datalinks to receive target coordinates, Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensors to track and designate targets with lasers, and a combination of laser-guided missiles and wing-mounted .50 caliber machine guns to neutralize hostile drones. Embraer noted that the concept of operations (CONOPS) allows current and future A-29 operators to integrate counter-drone missions into their standard mission sets with minimal modifications.

Embraer upgrades A-29 Super Tucano attack aircraft into UAV hunter.

“We continue to expand the capabilities of the A-29 to address the latest challenges facing many countries around the world ,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “The ongoing challenges of modern warfare and recent conflicts around the world have highlighted the urgent need for counter-drone solutions. The A-29 is the ideal tool to counter UAS effectively and at low cost, adding to the aircraft’s already diverse mission set, which includes close air support, armed reconnaissance, advanced training and many others.”

Long prized for its versatility and durability, the A-29 Super Tucano is a turboprop aircraft designed for combat operations and training in harsh environments. Its robust design allows it to operate from unimproved airstrips and forward operating bases, supporting a variety of missions including close air support, air interdiction, border surveillance, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).

Embraer says the aircraft’s combination of versatility, advanced avionics and cost-effectiveness makes it particularly suitable for nations looking for a practical solution to address emerging airborne threats. With more than 600,000 flight hours logged globally, the Super Tucano is currently in service with 22 air forces worldwide, cementing its position as the leading light attack and multi-role aircraft in its class.

Equipped with advanced avionics, a man-machine interface, and an integrated communications suite, the A-29 can conduct precision combat missions with minimal ground support. Its low maintenance requirements and high operational capability continue to make it an attractive option for nations balancing defense readiness with cost constraints.

Embraer's initiative also highlights how mid-range defense manufacturers are responding quickly to the rise of unmanned threats, a trend that increasingly concerns both partner national security cooperation programs and tactical aviation.

Super Tucano squadron in the Paraguayan Air Force.

Embraer Defense & Security

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