Brazil marks 50 years of C-95 Bandeirante ops

The Brazilian Air Force’s (FAB’s) airlift community marked a major milestone on February 9, when the air arm’s fleet of Embraer C-95 Bandeirante light transport/liaison aircraft celebrated 50 years of operational service.

Considered to be one of the greatest aircraft successes of Brazilian civil and military aviation, the development of the Bandeirante began as a project carried out by the Research and Development Institute (IPD) of Brazil’s Aerospace Technical Center (CTA) in São José dos Campos, which was authorised by the Ministry of the Air Force in 1965. The FAB placed an initial order for 80 examples of the C-95A – which is known more widely as the EMB-110 in non-Brazilian military service – from Embraer, with the first of these aircraft being delivered to the air arm on February 9, 1973.

A modernised Embraer C-95CM Bandeirante light transport in flight over the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro on February 8, 2012. The FAB received its first C-95A on February 9, 1973.
A modernised Embraer C-95CM Bandeirante light transport in flight over the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro on February 8, 2012. The FAB received its first C-95A on February 9, 1973. FAB/Sgt Simo

In 1978, the FAB acquired another 20 examples of the type, growing the number of C-95s ordered by the Brazilian air arm to 100 aircraft. Brazil now employs many different variants of the Bandeirante to support several different mission sets. These remaining subvariants include the C-95A/B/BM/C/CM, which are primarily used to carry out light transport and paradrop operations; the EC-95BM/C and IC-95C, which are used to conduct communication/liaison missions; and the P-95A/B/BM, which is charged with carrying out maritime patrol operations.

The FAB also operated five SC-95Bs in a search and rescue role until 2014, when this subvariant was withdrawn from use. In addition, two XC-95Bs were used for experimental/research purposes until 2013.

Commenting on the Bandeirante and its performance in Brazilian military service for the past 50 years, Air Lt Brig Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno – Commander of the FAB – said: “The Bandeirante symbolises a great milestone for Brazilian aviation. Born from the dreams of visionaries like Ozires Silva, it played a fundamental role in the integration of Brazil and, year after year, it proved to be a versatile, safe twin-engine [aircraft] capable of operating in all regions of our immense country. This model expresses much more than just an aircraft that has been successfully used by the [FAB] for 50 years. It represents a victorious partnership that gave rise to the largest company in our aeronautical industry, a source of pride for all Brazilians.”

This specially modified variant of the C-95 family, the P-95BM Bandeirante, is configured to carry out maritime patrol operations.
This specially modified variant of the C-95 family, the P-95BM Bandeirante, is configured to carry out maritime patrol operations. FAB/Sgt Bianca

Modernisation is required to maintain the technological relevance of a military aircraft fleet for more than 50 years, and the FAB’s S-95 fleet has been through that exact process. At the end of 2012, the FAB’s Primeiro Esquadrão do Quinto Grupo de Aviação (1º/5º GAv; 1st Squadron of the 5th Aviation Group) ‘Esquadrão Rumba’ received the air arm’s first upgraded C-95M.

This modernised version of the C-95 features a new glass cockpit and advanced navigation instruments, which enhanced both the Bandeirante’s operational capabilities and the situational awareness of the crews that fly them. The airframe of each aircraft to undergo the process has also been strengthen to enable the platform to continue flying for another 25 years (from when the upgrade occurred).