Close Air Support Aircraft (CASA) Acquisition

The EMB-314 Super Tucano was developed from the Tucano trainer, operational in the air forces of 15 countries. www.airforce-technology.com

Finally! After several failed bidding our Close Air Support Aircraft (CASA) acquisition project, do finally have a sole (possible) contender, after the last two remaining contenders failed the bidding process for the said acquisition project, and after the Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano was declared as the lowest bidder that makes the Embraer's EMB 314 Super Tucano as the winning bidder for our Close Air Support Aircraft (CASA) acquisition project. Congrats to the Philippine Air Force!

The EMB 314 Super Tucano would replace our aging fleets of Close Air Support Aircraft (CASA) like the OV10 and the SF-260 in due time, that is why the Department of National Defense (DND), and the government acquire six brand new Close Air Support Aircraft (CASA), I am glad that the Philippine Air Force is adopting into the 21st century by acquiring those brand new, modern, and sophisticated Close Air Support Aircraft (CASA), because if we compare the cabin of the EMB 314 Super Tucano to our current fleet of Close Air Support Aircraft (CASA), you could be able to spot the big difference.

Here is the specifications of the Embraer's EMB 314 Super Tucano Close Air Support Aircraft; 

Cockpit

"The all-glass cockpit is fully night vision goggle compatible. Brazilian AF ALX aircraft are equipped with avionics systems from Elbit Systems of Haifa, Israel, including a head-up display (HUD), advanced mission computer, navigation system and two 6in x 8in colour liquid crystal multi-function displays." www.airforce-technology.com 

"The head-up display with 24° field of view and the advanced weapon delivery system are integrated through a MIL-STD-1553B data bus. The pilot is provided with a hands-on throttle and stick (HOTAS) control. The pilot is protected with Kevlar armour and provided with a zero/zero ejection seat. The clamshell canopy, hinged at the front and rear and electrically activated, is fitted with a de-icing system and features a windshield capable of withstanding, at 300kt, the impact of a 4lb bird. A Northrop Grumman onboard oxygen generation system (OBOGS) is installed." www.airforce-technology.com

Weapons

"The aircraft is fitted with two central mission computers. The integrated weapon system includes software for weapon aiming, weapon management, mission planning and mission rehearsal. On board recording is used for post mission analysis. The aircraft has five hardpoints for carrying weapons, and is capable of carrying a maximum external load of 1,500kg. The aircraft is armed with two wing-mounted 12.7mm machine guns with a rate of fire of 1,100 rounds a minute and is capable of carrying general-purpose bombs and guided air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles." www.airforce-technology.com

"The SAFIRE thermal imaging system supplied by FLIR Systems is for targeting, navigation and target tracking. The system allows the aircraft to carry out night surveillance and attack missions. In July 2012, Embraer and Boeing signed a cooperation agreement to add new weapons integration capacity on the A-29 Super Tucano to satisfy the requirements of the US Air Force LAS programme". www.airforce-technology.com 

Super Tucano in pole position to meet Philippine AiForce requirement

"The Philippine Air Force’s (PAF’s) longstanding requirement to procure a new close-air support (CAS) aircraft has finally progressed, with the Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano having been selected by the Department of National Defense (DND) as the programme’s single lowest bidder."www.janes.com

"Speaking to Jane’s on 16 June, Arsenio Andolong, the DND’s chief of public affairs, said the Super Tucano was recently selected ahead of another unidentified platform. “There were two bidders,” he said, “and after going through the process as mandated by law, Embraer was declared the ‘lowest calculated bidder’.” "He said the bid now proceeds to the next phase, which is post-qualification evaluation." www.janes.com 

Watch a video about the Embraer's EMB 314 Super Tucano Close Air Support Aircraft.

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