Embraer ALX

Type (Muster)
Light strike and weapons trainer (leichtes Angriffsflugzeug und Waffentrainer)

Country (Land)
Brazil (Brasilien)

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Embraer
Avenia Brig. Faria Lima 2170
12227-901 Sao José dos Campos
Brazil

Phone:0055-12/345-1311
Fax: 0055-12/345-2411

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1 or 2, on Martin-Baker zero-zero ejection seats

Weapons (Beaffnung): The ALX has two wing-mounted 12,7 mm machine guns. On its five external stations and can carry a wide variety of weapons, including:

Mk.81 or Mk.82 low drag bombs
BLG-252 cluster bombs
IR air-to-air missiles like Sidewinder or MAA-1 Piranha
unguided rockets
20-mm gun-pod on ventral station (GIAT NC621)
FLIR pod

Power plant (Antrieb): 1 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68/1
Power (Leistung): 1193 kW (1600 shp)
Propeller: Hartzell five-blade, diameter 2,39 m

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 11,30 m
Height (Höhe): 3,97 m
Span (Spannweite): 11,14 m
Wing area (Flügelfläche): 19,4 sq m

Weights (Massen)
Operating weight empty (Einsatz-Leermasse): 2420 kg
Max. weapons load (max. Waffenzuladung): 1500 kg
Max. fuel (max. Kraftstoff): 538 kg
Max. zero-fuel weight (max. Masse ohne Kraftstoff): 2670 kg
Normal take-off weight (normale Startmasse): 3160 kg
Max. take-off weight (Max. Startmasse): 4918 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Maximum level speed (Höchstgeschwindigkeit): 557 km/h
Max. cruise speed (max. Marschgeschw.): 530 km/h
Economical cruise speed (wirtschaftliche Reisegeschwindigkeit): 422 km/h
Max. rate of climb (Max. Steigrate): 24 m/s
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 10670 m (35000 ft)
Take-off run (Startrollstrecke): 350 m
Landing distance from 15 m (Landestrecke über 15-m-Hindernis): 860 m
Landing run (Landerollstrecke): 550 m
Range (Reichweite): 1568 km with 30 min reserves or 2770 km with underwing tanks
Endurance (Flugdauer): 6 h 30 min
g-limits: + 7/- 3,5 or + 4/-2.2 with external stores

Costs (Kosten)
Price of the ALX is around 5 million US-Dollars.
Development contract was valued at 50 million US-Dollars in 1995.

Customers (Kunden)
The Brazilian air force has expressed a need for 99 ALX, of which 50 will be two-seaters (designated AT-29) for both training (around 30) and operational roles. Embraer also hopes for exports.

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
Pilatus PC-9(M)

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The ALX is a special version of Embraers EMB-314 Super Tucano, to fulfill a Brazilian Air Force requirement for a light strike aircraft for counter-insurgency missions and border surveillance. The ALX will be used for operational missions in the Amazon region as part of the SIVAM program and also for advanced training, replacing a number of jets. Its main features are:

high-power Pratt & Whitney engine
stretched fuselage (compared to EMB-312), with 0,37 m plug in front of cockpit and 1 m behind
strenthened airframe throughout
Head-up-display and multi-function liquid crystal displays
HOTAS-configured cockpit, fully night-vision compatible
Kevlar cockpit armour
wing-mounted guns
five stores stations

Development of more powerful variants of the EMB-312 turboprop trainer began in January 1991, at first revealed under the designation EMB-312H. A first testbed flew on 9 September 1991 and later was promoted together with Northrop for the US JPATS competition. For this purpose, two full prototypes flew in May and October 1993. The bid was unsuccesful.
In 1994, the Brazilian air force finalized the specification for a patrol aircraft to be used under the SIVAM (Sistema de Vigilancia da Amazona) programme, and Embraer made preliminary tests with its Super Tucanos for this mission. A 50 million US-Dollar development contract was then signed on 18 August 1995 for two prototypes (one single seat).
These prototypes were built from the Super Tucanos and flew in May 1996 and early in 1997. They tested the external stores compatibility as well as the new weapons system, which is supplied by Elbit of Israel.
The first production ALX was rolled-out on 28 May 1999 at Sao José dos Campos, during an official ceremony at which the EMB-145SA was also unveiled. First flight took place on 2nd June, 1999.
In Brazilian air force service, the ALX is designated AT-29 (two-seater) and A-29 (single-seater). Deliveries will begin with the trainer version, while the fully-equipped aircraft are to follow in 2001. Possible users are

2/5 Grupo in Natal (trainer)
1/3 Grupo at Boa Vista (two-seat night ops)
2/3 Grupo at Porto Velho (two-seat night ops)

Last updated 6. July 1999

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