Full specs of the Lebanese A-29 Super Tucano variant
Lebanon sealed a deal for 6 A-29 Super Tucano close air support aircraft at $462 millions back in 2015. The announcement of the deal confirmed some parts of the expected specifications & armaments, but also raised questions about other much required capabilities (i.e. will it support Hellfire?) and about the higher cost compared to other A-29 deals (Ex. Nigeria and Afghanistan). As per the announcement, the aircraft will be equipped with ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispensing Systems, AN/AAR-60(V)2 Missile Launch Detection Systems, and non-SAASM Embedded Global Positioning System/Initial Navigation System (EGIs). Besides they will support the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS).
A record in the [US] Federal Register however gives clear details on the complete specifications. The Lebanese variant will be equipped with MX–15 Electro-Optical Infrared (EO/IR) Laser sensor suite (same as those on the AC-208B Combat Caravan) and will be capable of employing the following systems mounted on its six external hard points:
- AGM–114M3, N3, & R5 Hellfire missiles
- M3 is blast fragmentation variant
- N3 is thermometric variant
- R5 is a variant of Hellfire Romeo - multi-function warhead
- 2.75′′ rockets (MK4, MK40, MK 66, Hydra 70)
- GBU-12 Paveway II - Mk 82 500 lb (227 kg) bomb
- GBU-58 Paveway II - Mk 81 250 lb (113.4 kg) bomb
- APKWS II
- FN HMP-400 .50 caliber gun pods
In addition "critical cockpit, fuel system and engine components" will have aircraft armor (probably from TenCate) able to withstand small arms fire.
With the AGM-114 Hellfire support, the Lebanese variant could be considered the most advanced variant of the A-29 Super Tucano as this capability was not previously supported. Providing this capability is most likely part of the higher cost reported.
.GIF "Syrian Arab Republic (Syria)"){kind=small}
