Afghan Air Force A-29 Super Tucanos used laser-guided bombs in 2018, including strikes against Taliban targets after the capability entered combat use in March 2018.
Role detailsAircraft & UAVs
A-29 Super Tucano
Also known as
- A-29
- EMB 314 Super Tucano
- EMB-314 Super Tucano
- Super Tucano
The A-29 Super Tucano is an Embraer-designed turboprop light attack, armed reconnaissance, and advanced-training aircraft built for counter-insurgency and austere-base operations. Documented combat use includes Afghan laser-guided bomb strikes against Taliban targets, Colombian counter-FARC precision strikes, Burkinabe counter-terror air operations in the Sahel, and Nigerian close air support against Boko Haram and ISWAP.
Role in Conflicts
Colombian Air Force A-29B/Super Tucanos were used in counter-FARC precision-strike operations, including Operation Fenix in 2008 and later targeted strikes against FARC leadership and camps.
- Side
- Sahelian governments and partner forces
Burkina Faso used Super Tucano light attack aircraft in counter-terror air operations, including September 2018 strikes and clearance operations in the Pama and Gayeri areas and a December 2019 joint air operation with French Mirage 2000D aircraft near Arbinda.
Nigerian Air Force A-29s were inducted in 2021 and used in Operation Hadin Kai, including reported August 2022 strikes against Boko Haram encampments in the Sambisa Forest area.
Profile / Specs
Profile
- Origin
- Brazil / United States
- Type
- Turboprop light attack and armed reconnaissance aircraft
- Service note
- Introduced in 2003; conflict use documented in Afghanistan, Colombia, the Sahel, and Nigeria
- Designer
- Embraer
- Designed
- 1990s
- Unit cost
- Part of an approximately $500 million Nigerian Foreign Military Sales package
- Produced
- 2003-present
Specifications
- Crew
- Two
- Powerplant
- One Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68C turboprop rated around 1,600 shp
- Dimensions
- 36.5 ft wingspan; 37.3 ft length; 13 ft height
- Maximum takeoff weight
- 11,905 lb
- Speed
- About 368 mph
- Range
- About 1,900 miles with wing-mounted external tanks
- Service ceiling
- 35,000 ft
- Armament
- Two internal .50-caliber machine guns plus up to 3,714 lb of external stores on five stations
- Sensors
- EO/IR targeting sensor options with laser-designation capability; Nigerian FMS aircraft included AN/AAQ-22F EO/IR sensors and laser designators
- Stores
- Five external stations for rockets, Mk 81/Mk 82 bombs, GBU-12/GBU-58 laser-guided bombs, APKWS-class guided rockets, EO/IR sensors, external tanks, and training stores
- Mission set
- Light attack, armed reconnaissance, close air support, air interdiction, JTAC/FAC(A) training, air patrol, border surveillance, and escort missions
Sensors, Stores, And Protection
The A-29 combines internal guns, external stores, electro-optical targeting, and self-protection features in a rugged turboprop airframe built for counter-insurgency and armed-reconnaissance work.
Targeting
EO/IR sensor options provide day and night imaging plus laser designation for precision-guided weapons.
Weapons
Internal .50-caliber machine guns leave five external stations available for bombs, rockets, sensors, tanks, and training stores.
Protection
The design emphasizes rugged unpaved-runway operation, active and passive survivability features, and low operating burden for austere deployments.
Variants
A-29 designations cover the baseline Super Tucano export and light-attack family plus later mission-configured versions for NATO and U.S. test or training use.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| A-29B Super Tucano | Two-seat light attack and advanced-training configuration | The common export and training configuration is used for light attack, armed reconnaissance, close air support, and pilot instruction. Sources: AFCENT Afghan Air Force receives first four A-29 attack aircraft, A-29 Super Tucano |
| A-29N Super Tucano | NATO-configured variant | Embraer launched the A-29N in 2023 with NATO-oriented equipment including datalink and single-pilot-operation features; Portugal became the first operator. Sources: Embraer A-29N NATO Configuration Launch, Embraer First A-29N Delivery to Portugal |
| A-29C Super Tucano | U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School configuration | Air Force Materiel Command identifies three A-29C aircraft integrated into the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School curriculum for spins, sensors, mission systems, and research. |
Carried Munitions
Military.com and the associated public-domain footage document an Afghan A-29 Super Tucano carrying and dropping a GBU-58 in combat. Embraer's brochure lists Mk 81 and Mk 82 general-purpose bombs plus guided Mk 82-class stores among the A-29 Super Tucano's external weapons.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Laser-guided bomb | Military.com reported an Afghan A-29 squadron using a GBU-58 in combat, and the associated footage shows the aircraft dropping the munition on a Taliban compound in March 2018. Sources: Afghan A-29 drops first laser-guided bomb on Taliban |
 | 500-pound unguided bomb | Embraer's A-29 brochure lists the Mk-82 500-pound general-purpose bomb among the aircraft's external stores, showing the A-29 is configured to carry it. Sources: A-29 Super Tucano brochure |
 | 500-pound guided bomb | Embraer's A-29 brochure lists GBU-12, GBU-58, and Lizard IV guided Mk 82-class stores among the aircraft's external weapons, showing the A-29 carries Mk 82 bombs fitted with Paveway- or Lizard-series guidance kits. Sources: A-29 Super Tucano brochure |
 | 250-pound unguided bomb | Embraer's A-29 brochure lists the Mk-81 general-purpose bomb among the aircraft's external weapons, showing the A-29 is configured to carry it. Sources: A-29 Super Tucano brochure |
Carried Training Stores
Embraer lists the SUU-20 training bomb dispenser among the A-29 Super Tucano's external stores.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Training bomb dispenser | Embraer's A-29 brochure lists the SUU-20 among the aircraft's external stores as a training bomb dispenser. Sources: A-29 Super Tucano brochure |
Carried Rocket Launchers
Thales Belgium says the EMB314 Super Tucano armaments suite can include up to two metallic 7-tube LAU32 rocket launchers.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | 7-tube 70 mm rocket launcher | Thales Belgium states that the EMB314 Super Tucano armaments suite can include up to two metallic 7-tube LAU32 rocket launchers. Sources: EMB314 Super Tucano |
Timeline
A-29 Super Tucano Key Events
Super Tucano first flight
Air & Space Forces Magazine records the A-29 Super Tucano first flight on June 2, 1999.
Sources: A-29 Super Tucano
First Afghan Air Force A-29s delivered
U.S. Air Forces Central reported delivery of the first four A-29 Super Tucanos to the Afghan Air Force at Hamid Karzai International Airport.
Sources: AFCENT Afghan Air Force receives first four A-29 attack aircraft
Nigeria A-29 FMS notification delivered
The Nigerian package notified to Congress covered 12 A-29 aircraft, EO/IR sensors, precision weapons, training, spares, and infrastructure for operations against Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa.
Sources: Federal Register Nigeria A-29 Arms Sales Notification
Nigerian A-29s inducted
U.S. Africa Command reported the formal induction of Nigerian Air Force A-29 Super Tucanos for counter-violent-extremist operations.
Sources: U.S.-made A-29 Super Tucano aircraft inducted into Nigerian Air Force
A-29N launched
Embraer launched the A-29N NATO configuration with features including a new datalink and single-pilot operation.
Sources: Embraer A-29N NATO Configuration Launch
A-29C begins Test Pilot School operations
Air Force Materiel Command said the A-29C fleet had begun formal integration into the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School curriculum.
Sources: AFMC A-29C Test Pilot School Operations
Media
A-29 Super Tucano Videos
Related Weapon Systems
Sources
U.S.-made A-29 Super Tucano aircraft inducted into Nigerian Air ForcePublisher: United States Africa Command | Note: Supports 2009 Boko Haram Insurgency context that A-29 Super Tucanos were supplied to and fielded by the Nigerian Air Force for counter-violent-extremist operations including ISWAP, with ISR and precision strike roles. | Accessed: 2026-06-21Insurgents Scatter as Nigeria Rules AirPublisher: Africa Defense Forum | Note: Supports 2009 Boko Haram Insurgency direct-use claim that A-29 Super Tucanos were used by Nigerian forces in Operation Hadin Kai airstrikes against Boko Haram encampments in August 2022. | Accessed: 2026-06-21A-29 Super Tucano brochurePublisher: Embraer | Note: Supports manufacturer background, aircraft mission set, protection features, propulsion, sensors, and weapons-system details. | Accessed: 2026-06-21A-29 Super TucanoPublisher: Air & Space Forces Magazine | Note: Supports general A-29 specifications, Embraer design origin, Sierra Nevada licensed production, and Nigerian training context. | Accessed: 2026-06-21AFCENT Afghan Air Force receives first four A-29 attack aircraftPublisher: U.S. Air Forces Central | Note: Supports January 2016 delivery of four A-29s to the Afghan Air Force and official descriptions of close air support, armed overwatch, aerial escort, interdiction, rugged terrain, and precision-guided munition capability. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Laser Guided Bombs enhance Afghan Air Force Strike CapabilityPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports 2001 War in Afghanistan direct-use claim that Afghan Air Force A-29 Super Tucano pilots used laser-guided bombs against enemy targets and supported Afghan ground missions after March 22, 2018. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Colombian Air Force: Innovation in Counter-InsurgencyPublisher: Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses | Note: Supports 1964 Colombian Armed Conflict direct-use claim that Colombian Air Force A-29B/Super Tucanos were used in counter-FARC strike operations, including Operation Fenix and later leadership-targeting strikes. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Burkina Faso appoints new armed forces chief as militant attacks continuePublisher: The Defense Post | Note: Supports 2012 Sahel Insurgency direct-use claim that Burkina Faso used Super Tucano light attack aircraft in air strikes and clearance operations in Pama and Gayeri against terrorist bases. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Burkina Faso Super Tucano conducts first joint air op with French Mirage 2000 jetsPublisher: The Defense Post | Note: Supports 2012 Sahel Insurgency direct-use claim that a Burkina Faso EMB 314 Super Tucano operated with French Mirage 2000D aircraft near Arbinda after a militant attack, with French crews guiding the Burkinabe Tucano toward a target. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Federal Register Nigeria A-29 Arms Sales NotificationPublisher: Federal Register / Defense Security Cooperation Agency | Note: Supports 2009 Boko Haram Insurgency transfer context: 12 A-29s, EO/IR laser designators, GBU-12/GBU-58, APKWS, Hydra 70 rockets, .50-caliber ammunition, training, and infrastructure were supplied to Nigeria for operations against Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Embraer A-29N NATO Configuration LaunchPublisher: Embraer | Note: Supports A-29N launch date, NATO-oriented configuration, new datalink, single-pilot operation, JTAC training applicability, and broader mission set. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Embraer First A-29N Delivery to PortugalPublisher: Embraer | Note: Supports Portugal as first A-29N operator, the first five A-29N aircraft delivered in 2025, the 12-aircraft order, and NATO configuration context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04AFMC A-29C Test Pilot School OperationsPublisher: U.S. Air Force Materiel Command | Note: Supports A-29C designation, three-aircraft USAF Test Pilot School integration, sensor and mission-systems training, MX-15, Link 16, VORTEX, lased-weapon references, and five weapon stations. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Nigerian Air Force A-29 Super Tucano aircraft depart U.S. for final deliveryPublisher: Sierra Nevada Corporation | Note: Supports manufacturer and delivery context for the 12 Nigerian Air Force A-29 light attack aircraft built by Sierra Nevada Corporation with Embraer Defense & Security. | Accessed: 2026-06-21USAF Nigerian A-29 fleet facilities reportPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports Nigerian A-29 fleet sustainment, the 12-aircraft Foreign Military Sales package, and the Kainji Air Base support infrastructure. | Accessed: 2026-06-21EMB314 Super TucanoPublisher: Thales Belgium | Note: Supports the EMB314 Super Tucano armaments suite describing up to two metallic 7-tube LAU32 rocket launchers. | Accessed: 2026-06-23Nigerian Air Force A-29 Super Tucano aircraft pilot fires two .50-caliber machine gunsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and public-domain licensing page for the primary Nigerian Air Force A-29 training image. | Accessed: 2026-06-21Nigerian Air Force set for training on A-29 Super TucanoPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and CC BY 2.0 licensing page for a Nigerian Air Force A-29 training image originally posted by USAFRICOM. | Accessed: 2026-06-21Nigerian Air Force set for training on A-29 Super Tucano - 49897209066Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and CC BY 2.0 licensing page for a second Nigerian Air Force A-29 training image originally posted by USAFRICOM. | Accessed: 2026-06-21Nigerian Air Force receives new facilities for A-29 Super Tucano fleetPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and public-domain U.S. Army photo context for Kainji Air Base facilities supporting Nigerian A-29 operations. | Accessed: 2026-06-21Afghan A-29 drops first laser-guided bomb on TalibanPublisher: Military.com | Note: Supports 2001 War in Afghanistan direct-use claim that an Afghan A-29 Super Tucano used a GBU-58 laser-guided bomb against a Taliban compound in Farah on March 22, 2018. | Accessed: 2026-07-04