HOTAS , an acronym of hands on throttle-and-stick , is the concept of placing buttons and switches on the throttle lever and flight control stick in an aircraft cockpit . By adopting such an arrangement, pilots are capable of performing all vital functions as well as flying the aircraft without having to remove their hands from the controls.
91-564: The Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano (English: Super Toucan ), also named ALX or A-29 , is a Brazilian turboprop light attack aircraft designed and built by Embraer as a development of the Embraer EMB 312 Tucano . The A-29 Super Tucano carries a wide variety of weapons, including precision-guided munitions , and was designed to be a low-cost system operated in low-threat environments. In addition to its manufacture in Brazil, Embraer has set up
182-692: A Cessna U206G inbound from Bolivia in the region of Alta Floresta d'Oeste ; after exhausting all procedures, one of the A-29s fired a warning shot from its 12.7 mm machine guns, after which the Cessna followed the A-29s to Cacoal airport. This incident was the first use of powers granted under the Shoot-Down Act, which was enacted in October 2004 to legislate for the downing of illegal flights. A total of 176 kg of pure cocaine base paste , enough to produce almost
273-572: A FLIR Safire III infrared turret for border surveillance operations. In November 2013, Nigeria showed interest in acquiring twelve new Super Tucanos. Three aircraft were bought from the Brazilian Air Force inventory in 2017. In April 2017, the United States indicated that it would be moving forward with a deal to sell up to 12 of the aircraft for up to US$ 600 million, ending delays that had been caused by human-rights concerns. In August 2017,
364-548: A ton of cocaine, was discovered on board the Cessna; the two occupants attempted a ground escape but were arrested by federal police in Pimenta Bueno . On 5 August 2011, Brazil started Operation Ágata, part of a major "Frontiers Strategic Plan" launched in June, with almost 30 continuous days of rigorous military activity in the region of Brazil's border with Colombia; it mobilized 35 aircraft and more than 3,000 military personnel of
455-630: A $ 270 million contract, Ecuador announced a reduction in its order from 24 to 18 Super Tucanos to release funds to buy some used South African Air Force Denel Cheetah C fighters. By cutting its order for the EMB-314, the Defence Ministry says the accrued savings would better allow it to bolster the air force's flagging air defence component. On 3 September 2011, the head of the Honduran Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Hondureña, or FAH), said that Honduras
546-569: A 450-km-range radar capable of detecting low-flying aircraft, and R-99 , remote sensing and surveillance . On 7 December 2011, Brazilian Ministry of Defence informed that drug seizures were up by 1,319% over the last six months, compared to prior six months. In August 2008, the Chilean Air Force signed a contract valued at $ 120 million for 12 A-29Bs. The contract includes a broad integrated logistic support package and an advanced training and operation support system (TOSS), covering not only
637-511: A car with digital precision. In April 2023, the manufacturer announced the A-29N, a variant intended for NATO nations. The A-29N will include NATO-required equipment, data link communications and be fitted for single-pilot operation. Available simulators used for training will incorporate virtual reality , augmented reality and mixed reality technology. In 2011, the Super Tucano was declared
728-491: A computer simulation; an aviation mission planning station, which uses the three-dimensional (3D) visuals to practice planned missions and to check intervisibility between aircraft and from aircraft and other entities; a mission debriefing station employing real aircraft data to play back missions for review and analysis; and a flight simulator . MPS and MDS was enhanced with MAK's 3D visualization solution to support airforces pre-existing data, including GIS , Web-based servers and
819-514: A further four due before the end of 2016. Combat-ready Afghan A-29 pilots graduated from training at Moody Air Force Base , Georgia , and returned to Afghanistan to represent the first of 30 pilots trained by the 81st Fighter Squadron at Moody AFB. A fleet of 20 A-29s would be in place by 2018, according to a senior U.S. defense official. The Pentagon purchased the Super Tucanos in a $ 427 million contract with Sierra Nevada Corp. and Embraer, with
910-602: A memorandum of understanding with Embraer at the Indo Defense 2010 exhibition in Jakarta. Indonesia initially ordered eight Super Tucanos, including ground-support stations and a logistics package, with an option for another eight on the same terms; the first were scheduled to arrive in 2012. Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro added that state aircraft maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia would perform maintenance work, and may also manufacture some components. While Indonesia could have made
1001-416: A night-vision goggle-compatible "glass cockpit" with hands-on-throttle-and-stick ( HOTAS ) controls; provision for a datalink; a video camera and recorder; an embedded mission-planning capability; forward-looking infrared; chaff/flare dispensers; missile approach warning receiver systems and radar warning receivers; and zero-zero ejection seats. The structure is corrosion-protected and the side-hinged canopy has
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#17328834222281092-673: A particularly large fruiting tree. Toucans often spend time sparring with their bills, tag-chasing, and calling during the long time it takes for fruit to digest. These behaviours may be related to maintenance of the pair bond or establishing dominance hierarchies, but the time required to digest fruit, which can be up to 75 minutes and during which the toucan can not feed, provides this time for socializing. Toucans are primarily frugivorous (fruit eating), but are opportunistically omnivorous and will take prey such as insects , smaller birds , and small lizards . Captive toucans have been reported to hunt insects actively in their cages, and it
1183-512: A plug-in for custom terrain formats. In 2012, Boeing Defense, Space & Security was selected to integrate the Joint Direct Attack Munition and Small Diameter Bomb to the Super Tucano. In 2013, Embraer Defense and Security disclosed that its subsidiary, OrbiSat, was developing a new radar for the Super Tucano. A Colombian general disclosed that the side-looking airborne radar will be able to locate ground targets smaller than
1274-604: A production line in Portugal through the company OGMA and in the United States in conjunction with Sierra Nevada Corporation for the manufacture of A-29s to export customers. During the mid-1980s, Embraer was working on the Short Tucano alongside a new version designated the EMB-312G1, carrying the same Garrett engine. The EMB-312G1 prototype flew for the first time in July 1986. However,
1365-627: A strengthened airframe to sustain higher g loads and increase fatigue life to 8,000–12,000 hours in operational environments; a reinforced landing gear to handle greater takeoff weights and heavier stores load, up to 1,550 kilograms (3,420 lb); Kevlar armour protection; two internal, wing-mounted .50 cal. machine guns (with 200 rounds of ammunition each); capacity to carry various ordnance on five weapon hardpoints including Giat NC621 20 mm cannon pods, Mk 81/82 bombs, MAA-1 Piranha air-to-air missiles (AAMs), BLG-252 cluster bombs, and SBAT-70/19 or LAU-68A/G rocket pods on its underwing stations; and has
1456-399: A subsidiary of Blackwater Worldwide , an American private military contractor . It lacked the normal wing-mounted machine guns. In 2012, that aircraft was sold on to Tactical Air Support, Inc. , of Reno, Nevada. In 2008, the U.S. Navy began testing the Super Tucano at the behest of the U.S. Special Operations Command for its potential use to support special warfare operations, giving it
1547-562: A total of 33 aircraft during Operation Ágata 2 in this area. Brazilian forces seized 62 tons of narcotics, made 3,000 arrests, and destroyed three illicit airstrips, while over 650 tons of weapons and explosives have been seized. On 22 November 2011, Brazil launched the Operation Ágata 3 on the borders with Bolivia, Peru , and Paraguay. It involved 6,500 personnel, backed by 10 ships and 200 land patrol vehicles, in addition to 70 aircraft, including fighter, transport, and reconnaissance aircraft; it
1638-624: A toucan is the mascot of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party ; its party members are called tucanos for this reason. Toucans have also been used in popular media. They have been used as the principal characters in Toucan Tecs , a 1992 UK television cartoon about two detectives named Zippi and Zac. In Dora the Explorer , the character Señor Túcan is a Spanish-speaking toucan who occasionally gives Dora and her friends advice. Tuca,
1729-401: A unified choice to replace its OV-10 light attack and BAE Hawk Mk.53 trainer fleets with a multirole jet, the demands of forward air control and counterinsurgency wars give slower and more stable platforms an advantage. On 10 July 2012, Indonesia ordered a second set of eight Super Tucanos, along with a full flight simulator, bringing their order total to 16. In August 2012, Indonesia received
1820-496: A week. The AAF had a record high in October with more than 80 missions in a single week. By March 2018, the AAF had 12 A-29s in service. On 22 March 2018, the AAF deployed a GBU-58 Paveway II 250 lb (113.4 kg) bomb from an A-29 in combat, marking the first time the service had dropped a laser-guided weapon against the Taliban . In August 2021, during the 2021 Taliban offensive and
1911-535: A windshield able to withstand bird strike impacts up to 270 kn (500 km/h; 310 mph). In 1996, Embraer selected the Israeli firm Elbit Systems to supply the mission avionics for the ALX. For this contract, Elbit was chosen over GEC-Marconi and Sextant Avionique. The Israeli company supplies such equipment as the mission computer, head-up displays, and navigation and stores management systems. On 13 October 2010,
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#17328834222282002-523: Is derived from the Tupi word tukana or the Guaraní word tukã , via Portuguese . The family includes toucans, aracaris and toucanets; more distant relatives include various families of barbets and woodpeckers in the suborder Pici . The phylogenetic relationship between the toucans and the eight other families in the order Piciformes is shown in the cladogram below. The number of species in each family
2093-424: Is known that they eat mostly fruit. Researchers have discovered that the large bill of the toucan is a highly efficient thermoregulation system, though its size may still be advantageous in other ways. It does aid in their feeding behavior (as they sit in one spot and reach for all fruit in range, thereby reducing energy expenditure), and it has also been theorized that the bill may intimidate smaller birds, so that
2184-410: Is often combined with several other input systems, such as direct voice input and helmet-mounted display , to further reduce workload upon pilots as well as the need to divide their attention between the primary controls and other systems. Apart from the cockpit, the ground control stations (GCS) used by drone operators also commonly have HOTAS principles. HOTAS is a shorthand term which refers to
2275-572: Is possible to keep toucans on an insect-only diet. They also plunder nests of smaller birds, taking eggs and nestlings. This probably provides a crucial addition of protein to their diet. Certainly, apart from being systematically predatory as well as frugivorous, like many omnivorous birds, they particularly prefer animal food for feeding their chicks. However, in their range, toucans are the dominant frugivores, and as such, play an extremely important ecological role as vectors for seed dispersal of fruiting trees. Toucans nest in cavities in trees, and
2366-656: Is taken from the list maintained by Frank Gill , Pamela C. Rasmussen and David Donsker on behalf of the International Ornithological Committee (IOC). Galbulidae – jacamars (18 species) Bucconidae – puffbirds (38 species) Indicatoridae – honeyguides (16 species) Picidae – woodpeckers (240 species) Megalaimidae – Asian barbets (35 species) Lybiidae – African barbets (42 species) Capitonidae – New World barbets (15 species) Semnornithidae – toucan barbets (2 species) Ramphastidae – toucans (43 species) Toucans range in size from
2457-556: Is unique, having been designed specific to mission requirements, equipment fitout, performance capabilities, and general airframe configuration of that aircraft. For instance, the F-15E Strike Eagle throttle incorporates the ability to interact with an onboard FLIR sensor. The HOTAS concept was initially pioneered by the Royal Air Force during the 1950s. The newly-developed supersonic point-defense interceptor aircraft ,
2548-574: The Brazilian Army , Brazilian Navy , and Brazilian Air Force surveillance against drug trafficking, illegal mining and logging, and trafficking of wild animals. A-29s of 1 / 3º Aviation Group (GAV), Squadron Scorpion, launched a strike upon an illicit airstrip, deploying eight 230 kg (500 lb) computer-guided Mk 82 bombs to render the airstrip unusable. Multiple RQ-450 UAVs and several E-99s were assigned for night operations to locate remote jungle airstrips used by drug smuggling gangs along
2639-624: The English Electric Lightning , was furnished with the Ferranti AIRPASS radar and gunsight control system, giving its pilots an earlier implementation of the practice. By 1960, Ferranti were reportedly developing such fire control systems for foreign aircraft as well. HOTAS controls have become commonplace amongst the fighter aircraft of various nations. Various aircraft flown by the United States Air Force , including
2730-659: The Fall of Kabul , some Afghan pilots fled the country, taking an unknown number of aircraft, including A-29s, with them. An Afghan Air Force A-29 crashed in Uzbekistan's Surxondaryo Region ; two pilots ejected and landed with parachutes. Initially it was reported shot down by Uzbekistan air defenses, then the Prosecutor General's office in Uzbekistan issued a statement saying that an Afghan military plane had collided mid-air with an Uzbekistan Air Force MiG-29 , finally it retracted
2821-609: The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon and the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II , feature such control systems. Numerous cockpits of modern military aircraft have seen the HOTAS concept combined or enhanced by the use of further control technologies. One such example is the use of direct voice input ; the combination of Voice and HOTAS control schemes has sometimes been referred to as
Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano - Misplaced Pages Continue
2912-686: The T-35 Pillán (basic trainer) and the F-16 . In 2018, six additional A-29B, along with ground support equipment, arrived; four more units were received two years later. A total of 25 Super Tucanos (variant AT-29B) were purchased by the Colombian Air Force in a US$ 234 million deal, purchased directly from Embraer. On 14 December 2006, the first three aircraft arrived to the military airfield of CATAM in Bogotá ; two more were delivered later that month, ten more in
3003-523: The lettered aracari ( Pteroglossus inscriptus ), at 130 g (4.6 oz) and 29 cm (11 in), to the toco toucan ( Ramphastos toco ), at 680 g (1.50 lb) and 63 cm (25 in). Their bodies are short (of comparable size to a crow's ) and compact. The tail is rounded and varies in length, from half the length to the whole length of the body. The neck is short and thick. The wings are small, as they are forest-dwelling birds who only need to travel short distances, and are often of about
3094-467: The road vehicle design and gaming industries. HOTAS was originally applied to military aircraft, starting with the British interceptor aircraft , the English Electric Lightning , in the late 1950s. The concept quickly spread to numerous other aircraft, such as the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon , IAI Super Phantom , Mikoyan MiG-29 , and Eurofighter Typhoon . In more modern implementations, it
3185-718: The "V-TAS" concept. A prominent fighter aircraft to be furnished with a V-TAS cockpit is the Eurofighter Typhoon . Other examples includes the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II , the Dassault Rafale and the Saab JAS 39 Gripen . Another common enhancement has been the combination of helmet mounted display (HMD) systems. These commonly allow the pilot to control various systems using his line of sight, extending even to guiding missiles by simply looking at
3276-512: The 2nd Wing. The final four A-29Bs left Brazil on 15 February 2016, passing through Malta-Luqa International Airport on 21 February and ultimately arriving at Indonesia's Malang Abdul Rachman Saleh Air Force Base on 29 February 2016. One aircraft was lost in a crash on 10 February 2016, and a further two in crashes on 16 November 2023. The Pentagon first proposed to provide to Lebanon a contract for 10 EMB-314s in 2010. Six Tucanos with 2,000 advanced precision-kill weapon systems went to Lebanon via
3367-517: The 7th front's leader of the Public Order Company. On 5 September 2012, "Danilo Garcia", leader of the FARC's 33rd Front, was killed in a bombing raid; Danilo was considered "the right hand of supreme FARC leader alias Timochenko". Intelligence indicated that the bodies of 15 guerrillas may have been buried in the bombing. Eight A-29s carried out an air strike on 27 September during Operación Saturno at
3458-585: The Brazilian Ministry of Aeronautics awarded Embraer a $ 50 million contract for ALX development. Two EMB-312Hs were updated to serve as ALX prototypes. These made their initial flights in their new configuration in 1996 and 1997, respectively. The initial flight of a production-configured ALX, further modified from one of the prototypes, occurred on 2 June 1999. The second prototype was brought up to two-seater configuration and performed its first flight on 22 October 1999. The changes had been so considerable that
3549-488: The Brazilian deal was signed for the aircraft to be upgraded and the other three be made airworthy again. Together with the two newly acquired Super Tucanos, this will boost efforts to maintain security within the country. In January 2010, Indonesian Air Force commander Air Marshal Imam Sufaat stated that Indonesia had split the competition, designating the Super Tucano as their preferred OV-10 replacement. Indonesia signed
3640-863: The Dominican Republic had dropped by over 80 percent." In August 2011, the Dominican Air Force said that since taking delivery of the Super Tucanos in 2009, it has driven away drug flights to the point that they no longer enter the country's airspace. In May 2012, the Dominican president Leonel Fernández gave a cooperative order for the armed forces to support a fleet of Super Tucanos for the antidrug fight on Haiti . The Ecuadorian Air Force operates 18 Super Tucanos; they are established at Manta Air Base in two squadrons: 2313 "Halcones" (used for border surveillance and flight training ) and 2311 "Dragones" (used for counterinsurgency). Ecuadorian Super Tucanos use
3731-712: The FARC's 37th front camp in the northwest of Antioquia Department, resulting in the death of Efrain Gonzales Ruiz, "Pateñame", leader of the 35th and 37th fronts, and 13 others. In April 2013, two Super Tucanos bombarded the FARC's 59th front fort in Serranía del Perijá municipality Barrancas, La Guajira . In August 2001, Embraer announced the signing of a contract with the Dominican Republic for 10 Super Tucanos, to use for pilot training, internal security , border patrol and counter-narcotics trafficking missions. The order
Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano - Misplaced Pages Continue
3822-420: The HOTAS concept into the control systems of their vehicles. In the ordinary consumer market, a wide range of vehicles have had controls integrated into the steering wheel , typically for ancillary functions such as controlling the entertainment system , adjusting its cruise control and interacting with onboard computers and mobile phones . The purpose of such systems is that drivers can keep their hands upon
3913-506: The PAF intends to operate 24 aircraft across two squadrons. 12 aircraft are to be delivered by 2022, and six by 2024, allowing the PAF to operate close air support, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and light attack missions. On 9 December 2021, PAF A-29Bs conducted airstrikes on terrorist encampments as part of Oplan Stinkweed in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat. One Super Tucano was purchased by
4004-535: The PT-6A-68A (1,300 shp) engine. On 23 March 2009, Embraer announced that negotiations over a nine-month-old agreement with the Ecuadorian Air Force had been completed. The deal covers the supply of 24 Super Tucanos to replace Ecuador's aging fleet of Vietnam-era Cessna A-37 Dragonfly strike aircraft, and help reassert control over the country's airspace. In May 2010, after receiving its sixth Super Tucano under
4095-740: The Super Tucano A-29B had passed the mark of 48,000 hours since 21 July 2005 on full-scale wing-fuselage structural fatigue tests , conducted by the Aeronautical Systems Division, part of the Aeronautics and Space Institute at the Structural Testing Laboratory. The tests involve a complex system of hydraulics and tabs that apply pressure to the aircraft structure, simulating air pressure from flying at varying altitudes. The simulation continued for another year to complete
4186-455: The US Department of State approved of the sale of 12 aircraft and associated supplies and weapons. In November 2018, Nigeria purchased 12 Super Tucanos from Sierra Nevada for $ 329 million, all of which can be fitted with forward-looking infrared systems. They were delivered to Nigeria in October 2021. The Philippine Air Force (PAF) considered the acquisition of six Super Tucanos to replace
4277-522: The US LAS program, but financed by Saudi Arabia at US$ 462 million. The first two were delivered in October 2017, with four more in June 2018. Negotiations for the acquisitions of Super Tucanos started in December 2011. On 28 March 2012 at Chile's FIDAE defense and air show, Embraer announced sales of undisclosed numbers of aircraft to Mauritania. On 19 October 2012, Embraer delivered the first EMB-314, fitted with
4368-484: The West Indies. The only non-forest living toucan is the toco toucan, which is found in savannah with forest patches and open woodlands. Toucans are highly social and most species occur in groups of up to 20 or more birds for most of the time. Pairs may retire from the groups during the breeding season, then return with their offspring after the breeding season. Larger groups may form during irruptions, migration or around
4459-645: The aging OV-10 Bronco . In late 2017, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana signed the contract to purchase six for the Close Air Support Aircraft acquisition project as included in the AFP Modernization Program's Horizon 1 phase. On 13 October 2020, six A-29Bs were turned over to the PAF. They were inducted with the 16th Attack Squadron, 15th Strike Wing . Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana was reportedly considering buying six more A-29Bs. By 2024,
4550-567: The aircraft produced at Embraer's facility on the grounds of Jacksonville International Airport in Jacksonville , Florida . The first four aircraft arrived at Hamid Karzai International Airport on 15 January 2016. Prior to the A-29's delivery, the Afghan Air Force lacked close air support aircraft other than attack helicopters. In 2017, the AAF conducted roughly 2,000 airstrike sorties, about 40
4641-449: The aircraft, but also an integrated suite for ground support stations. The FACH's TOSS consists of three systems: a mission planning station in which instructor and student program all phases of flight, setting the various parameters of each phase along with navigation, communications, goals, and simulations; a mission debriefing station empowering students with the ability to review all and each flight aspects and phases, enabling to look at
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#17328834222284732-464: The anthropomorphic title character of the 2019 show Tuca & Bertie is a Toucan, and the companion of the song thrush Bertie. In the 2016 Nintendo 3DS game Pokémon Sun and Moon , the Pokémon Toucannon and its previous evolutions were modeled after a Toco Toucan. HOTAS The HOTAS principle has also been applied outside the aviation sector, and has made a noticeable impact upon both
4823-814: The attack. On 2 October 2010, during Operation Darién, Super Tucanos used infrared cameras to spot and bombard the FARC 57th front in the Chocó Department , just a kilometer away from the Panama border. Five rebels, including several commanders, were killed. On 15 October 2011, Operation Odiseo started with a total of 969 members of the Colombian armed forces . A total of 18 aircraft participated in Operation Odiseo. On 4 November 2011, five Super Tucanos dropped 1000 lb (450 kg) and 250 lb (135 kg) bombs, plus high-precision smart bombs. This operation ended with
4914-527: The bills of female toucans are usually shorter, deeper and sometimes straighter, giving more of a "blocky" impression compared to male bills. The feathers in the genus containing the largest toucans are generally purple, with touches of white, yellow, and scarlet, and black. The underparts of the araçaris (smaller toucans) are yellow, crossed by one or more black or red bands. The toucanets have mostly green plumage with blue markings. The colorful and large bill , which in some large species measures more than half
5005-530: The border. The RQ-450s located targets for the A-29s, allowing them to bomb the airstrips with a high level of accuracy using night vision systems and computer systems calculating the impact points of munitions . On 15 September 2011, Brazil launched the Operation Ágata 2 on the borders with Uruguay , Argentina , and Paraguay . Part of this border is the infamous Triple Frontier . A-29s from Maringá , Dourados , and Campo Grande , and Brazilian upgraded Northrop F-5 Tiger II/F-5EMs from Canoas , intercepted
5096-780: The camp and killing 36 rebels. In late May, Super Tucanos bombarded a National Liberation Army camp located in rural Santa Rosa at Bolívar Department . On 31 May 2012, a bombardment over the Western Front of the ELN at an inhospitable area of the Chocó Department killed seven rebels. On 6 June 2012, during a minute and half bombardment over FARC's 37th front located in northern Antioquia Department , five Super Tucanos dropped 250-kg bombs, killing eight rebels. In September, Super Tucanos provided reconnaissance and close air support during an "Omega" operation, during which seven terrorists were gunned down and four were captured, including "Fredy Cooper",
5187-521: The camp and killing six FARC rebels, including Pedro Alfonso Alvarado (alias "Mapanao"), who was responsible for the Bojayá massacre in 2002, in which 119 civilians were killed. The Espada de Honor War Plan was an aggressive Colombian counterinsurgency strategy that aimed to dismantle FARC's structure, both militarily and financially. It targeted FARC leadership focusing on eliminating the 15 most powerful economic and military fronts. During Operacion Faraón, at
5278-672: The dawn of 21 March 2012, five Super Tucanos bombarded the FARC's 10th Front guerrilla camp in Arauca , near the Venezuelan border, killing 33 rebels. Five days later, in Operation Armagedón, nine Super Tucanos from Apiay Air Base attacked the FARC's 27th front camp in Vista Hermosa, Meta , using coordinates received from a guerrilla informant recruited by the police intelligence, launching 40 guided 500-lb bombs within three minutes, destroying
5369-511: The death of the leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, FARC), Alfonso Cano . It was biggest blow in the history of the guerrilla organization. At dawn of 22 February 2012, EMB-314s identified the camp of FARC's 57th Front, 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Bojayá near the border with Panama. In Operation Frontera, Super Tucanos dropped two high-precision bombs, destroying
5460-443: The eggs hatch, the young emerge completely naked, without any down . Toucans are resident breeders and do not migrate . Toucans are usually found in pairs or small flocks. They sometimes fence with their bills and wrestle, which scientists hypothesize they do to establish dominance hierarchies. In Africa and Asia , hornbills occupy the toucans' ecological niche , an example of convergent evolution . The name of this bird group
5551-470: The engine-fatigue life test and crack-propagation studies for a damage-tolerance analysis program of conducted by Embraer and the Aeronautics and Space Institute. Embraer developed an advanced training and support system suite called Training Operational Support System (TOSS) an integrated computational tool composed of four systems: computer-based training enabling the student to rehearse the next sortie on
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#17328834222285642-472: The errors and correct them for their next mission; and a flight simulator. The first four A-29Bs arrived in December 2009 while further deliveries took place in the following year. They are based at Los Cóndores Air Base (45 km from Iquique ) and are used for tactical instruction at the 1st Air Brigade for the Aviation Group #1, the fully digital cockpit allows students to do a smooth transition between
5733-486: The family. The constellation Tucana , containing most of the Small Magellanic Cloud , is named after the toucan. The family has been used prominently in advertising. During the 1930s and 1940s Guinness beer advertising featured a toucan, as the black and white appearance of the bird mirrored the stout. A cartoon toucan, Toucan Sam , has been used as the mascot of Froot Loops breakfast cereal since 1963, and
5824-415: The first Super Tucano was lost near Jambalo during an anti-FARC operation; rebels claimed they shot it down with a .50 caliber (12.7 mm) machine gun, but the Colombian Air Force challenged the rebel group's claim after inspecting the wreckage. In 2008, during "Operation Phoenix" , a Colombian Air Force Super Tucano used Griffin laser-guided bombs to destroy a guerrilla cell inside Ecuador and kill
5915-440: The first four planes from the initial batch at a ceremony held in its facility in Gavião Peixoto , São Paulo, Brazil. Deliveries of the second batch of Super Tucanos were delayed by over seven months. In September 2014, the second batch left Brazil on their ferry flight to Malang Abdul Rachman Saleh Air Base in East Java; they will be based at the Malang air base on Indonesia's Java island and operated by Skadron Udara 21 as part of
6006-405: The first half of 2007, and the rest in June 2008. On 18 January 2007, a squadron of Colombian Air Force Super Tucanos launched the first-ever combat mission of its type, attacking FARC positions in the jungle with Mark 82 bombs . This attack made use of the Super Tucano's constantly computed impact point capability; the aircraft's performance in action was a reported success. On 11 July 2012,
6097-415: The first time in May 1993 and the third prototype flew in October 1993. The request for a light attack aircraft was part of the Brazilian government's Amazon Surveillance System project. This aircraft would fly with the R-99A and R-99B aircraft then in service and be used to intercept illegal aircraft flights and patrol Brazil's borders. The ALX project was then created by the Brazilian Air Force, which
6188-490: The first time in September 1991. The aircraft features a 1.37 m (4.5 ft) fuselage extension with the addition of sections before and after of the cockpit to restore its center of gravity and stability, a strengthened airframe, cockpit pressurization, and stretched nose to house the more powerful PT6A-67R (1,424 shp or 1,062 kW ) engine. Two new prototypes with the PT6A-68A (1,250 shp or 930 kW) engine were built in 1993. The second prototype flew for
6279-440: The go-ahead for acquiring two new A-29s by the FAH following approval from the country's National Council for Security and Defence. As part of the deal, six of the FAH's surviving EMB-312A Tucanos, acquired in 1984, will be refurbished and upgraded by Embraer. Originally operated only by the Academia Militar de Aviación at Palmerola for training, they have recently been armed for counter-narcotics missions. Just three were airworthy as
6370-406: The length of the body, is the hallmark of toucans. Despite its size, the toucan's bill is very light, being composed of bone struts filled with spongy tissue of keratin between them, which take on the structure of a biofoam . The bill has forward-facing serrations resembling teeth, which historically led naturalists to believe that toucans captured fish and were primarily carnivorous; today it
6461-473: The lowland tropics, but the mountain species from the genus Andigena reach temperate climates at high altitudes in the Andes and can be found up to the tree line . For the most part the toucans are forest species, and restricted to primary forests . They will enter secondary forests to forage, but are limited to forests with large old trees that have holes large enough to breed in. Toucans are poor dispersers, particularly across water, and have not reached
6552-565: The modification of several tail vertebrae . The rear three vertebrae are fused and attached to the spine by a ball and socket joint . Because of this, toucans may snap their tail forward until it touches the head. This is the posture in which they sleep, often appearing simply as a ball of feathers, with the tip of the tail sticking out over the head. Toucans are native to the Neotropics, from Southern Mexico, through Central America, into South America south to northern Argentina. They mostly live in
6643-407: The most popular and well known birds in the world. Across their native range they were hunted for food and also kept as pets, and their plumage and bills were used for decorations. In some places anyone that discovers a nest is deemed its owner and is entitled to sell the birds within. In the western world they were first popularised by John Gould , who devoted two editions to a detailed monograph of
6734-674: The official U.S. designation A-29B . Toucan Toucans ( / ˈ t uː k æ n / , UK : /- k ə n / ) are Neotropical birds in the family Ramphastidae . The Ramphastidae are most closely related to the Toucan barbets . They are brightly marked and have large, often colorful bills . The family includes five genera and over 40 different species . Toucans are arboreal and typically lay two to four white eggs in their nests. They make their nests in tree hollows and holes excavated by other animals such as woodpeckers —the toucan bill has very limited use as an excavation tool. When
6825-601: The other of the aircraft's controls to use another aircraft system, and reduce total time spent doing so. HOTAS enables the pilot to manipulate all the radar's important functions without taking their hands away from the stick or throttle. It is typical for several other functions to be potentially incorporated into this control arrangement; features including a radio communications switch, chaff and flare countermeasure activation, speed brake controls, nose wheel steering, and aerial refueling disconnect may be controlled as such. The precise arrangement of each aircraft's cockpit
6916-515: The presence of suitable trees is a habitat prerequisite for toucans. For the most part toucans don't excavate nesting cavities, although some green toucanets do. Toucans make a variety of sounds. The very name of the bird (from Tupi ) refers to its predominant frog-like croaking call, but toucans also make barking and growling sounds. They also use their bills to make tapping and clattering sounds. Mountain toucans are known for donkey-like braying. The toucans are, due to their unique appearance, among
7007-557: The project was dropped because the Brazilian Air Force was not interested in it. Nonetheless, the lessons from recent combat use of the aircraft in Peru and Venezuela led Embraer to keep up the studies. Besides a trainer, it researched a helicopter attack version designated "helicopter killer" or EMB-312H. The study was stimulated by the unsuccessful bid for the US military Joint Primary Aircraft Training System program. A proof-of-concept prototype flew for
7098-415: The same span as the bill-tip-to-tail-tip measurements of the bird. The legs of the toucan are strong and rather short. Their toes are arranged in pairs with the first and fourth toes turned backward. The majority of toucans do not show any sexual dimorphism in their coloration, the genus Selenidera being the most notable exception to this rule (hence their common name, "dichromatic toucanets"). However,
7189-553: The second-in-command chief of FARC, Raúl Reyes . This event led to a diplomatic break between the two countries. On 21 September 2010, Operation Sodoma in the Meta department began, 120 miles south of the capital Bogotá . FARC commander Mono Jojoy was killed in a massive military operation on 22 September, after 25 EMB-314s launched seven tonnes of explosives on the camp, while some 600 special forces troops descended by rope from helicopters, opposed by 700 guerrillas; 20 guerrillas died in
7280-469: The single-seat A-29 ALX version. The first aircraft was delivered in December 2003. By September 2007, 50 aircraft had entered service. The 99th, and last, aircraft was delivered in June 2012. One of the aircraft's main missions is border patrol under the Sivam programme, particularly to act against drug trafficking activities. On 3 June 2009, two Brazilian Air Force A-29s, guided by an Embraer E-99 , intercepted
7371-607: The statement about the mid-air collision. At least one Super Tucano was captured by the Taliban in the Mazar-i-Sharif International Airport . In August 2001, the Brazilian Air Force awarded Embraer a contract for 76 Super Tucano / ALX aircraft with options for a further 23. A total of 99 aircraft were acquired from a contract estimated to be worth U$ 214.1 million; 66 of these aircraft are two-seater versions, designated A-29B. The remaining 33 aircraft are
7462-642: The target. One such HMD arrangement is the Soviet "Schlem" system, which has been used on both the Mikoyan MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-27 fighter aircraft; another is used on the F-35, which dispenses with a traditional head-up display mounted on the dashboard in favour of displaying such data via the HMD, allowing pilots to see target info regardless of the direction they are facing. Several car manufacturers have opted to integrate
7553-434: The toucan may plunder nests undisturbed (see Diet below). The beak allows the bird to reach deep into tree-holes to access food unavailable to other birds, and also to ransack suspended nests built by smaller birds. A toucan's tongue is long (up to 15 cm or 6 in), narrow, grey, and singularly frayed on each side, adding to its sensitivity as a tasting organ. A structural complex probably unique to toucans involves
7644-555: The type was given a new designation, the EMB-314 Super Tucano. The total cost of the aircraft development was quoted to be between US$ 200 million and US$ 300 million. The aircraft differs from the baseline EMB-312 Tucano trainer aircraft in several respects. It is powered by a more powerful 1,600 shp (1,200 kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 A-68C engine (compared to the EMB-312's 750 shp (560 kW) powerplant); has
7735-652: The typical configuration of the core controls of fighter aircraft. Having all critical switches on the stick and throttle allows the pilot to keep both "hands on throttle-and-stick". Used in combination with a head-up display (HUD), the pilot can focus their attention upon flying the aircraft, manipulating sensors, and engaging targets rather than looking for controls in the cockpit. The goal is to improve pilots' situational awareness , their ability to manipulate switch and button controls in turbulence, under stress, or during high G-force maneuvers, to improve reaction time, to minimize instances when hands must be removed from one or
7826-640: The wheel, removing the need for the driver to look away from the road while still allowing such interactions to be performed. Furthermore, numerous racecars have been produced with steering wheels configured to control various aspects of the car's systems, such as communications and gear shifting . Such vehicles have been frequently used in competitive racing, such as Formula One and the Indy Racing League . Several game controllers have incorporated HOTAS-like control arrangements. Such controllers have been commonly used by flight simulators ; one example
7917-716: The winner of the US Light Air Support contract competition over the Hawker Beechcraft AT-6B Texan II . The contract was cancelled in 2012 citing Hawker Beechcraft's appeal when its proposal was disqualified during the procurement process, but rewon in 2013. Twenty of these light attack aircraft were purchased for the Afghan Air Force (AAF). The first four aircraft arrived in Afghanistan in January 2016, with
8008-488: Was also in need of a military trainer to replace the Embraer EMB 326GB Xavante . The new aircraft was to be suited to the Amazon region (high temperature, moisture, and precipitation; low military threat). The ALX was then specified as a turboprop engine plane with a long range and autonomy, able to operate night and day, in any meteorological conditions, and able to land on short airfields lacking infrastructure. In August 1995,
8099-411: Was reduced to eight aircraft in January 2009, for a total amount of US$ 93 million. The first two aircraft were delivered on 18 December 2009, three arrived in June 2010, and the remaining three in October 2010. In February 2011, Dominican Republic Air Force Chief of Operations Col. Hilton Cabral stated: "since the introduction of the Super Tucano aircraft and ground-based radars, illicit air tracks into
8190-461: Was the largest Brazilian coordinated action involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force against illegal trafficking and organized crime, along a border strip of almost 7,000 km. A-1 (AMX) , Northrop F-5 Tiger II/ F-5EM and A-29s from Tabatinga , Campo Grande , Cuiabá , Vilhena , and Porto Velho were employed in defending air space, supported by airborne early warning and control E-99 , equipped with
8281-587: Was to procure four Super Tucanos. On 7 February 2012, the Honduran government informed the Brazilian Trade Ministry of its interest in acquiring a large number of Super Tucanos. However, due to the economic situation, the government was forced to repair their aging aircraft inventory, instead of purchasing eight EMB-314s. On 17 October 2014, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced
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