Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has unveiled the second of three Embraer A-29B Super Tucano aircraft for US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) in a special heritage colour scheme.
SNC released images of the aircraft – serial 20-2102 – on March 29, showing it painted in the heritage colour scheme of the P-51 Mustangs and P-47 Thunderbolts flown by US Army Air Forces during World War Two combat operations in the China, Burma and India campaigns around 1944. It had arrived at SNC’s modification facilities in Centennial, Colorado, on February 23 from the Embraer Defense & Security final assembly line in Jacksonville, Florida.
![AFSOC A-29B [SNC]](https://fullfatthings-keyaero.b-cdn.net/sites/keyaero/files/inline-images/SNC-Embraer%20A-29B%20Super%20Tucano%20%5BSNC%5D%201.jpeg)
AFSOC will use the A-29Bs for training US-allied pilots through the Combat Aviation Advisor (CAA) programme, which helps build international partner capacity. A contract for the first two was awarded to SNC on February 26, 2020. The company announced on May 11, 2020, that it had been contracted to provide a third aircraft. SNC is also contracted to provide ground support equipment, pilot training, including difference training and instructor pilot upgrade training, contractor logistics support, spares, and sustainment.
Both the first aircraft – serial 20-2101 – and the second are currently undergoing modification in SNC’s facilities in Centennial. Final production and assembly of the third is now underway at Embraer´s facilities in Jacksonville, Florida. Final delivery of all three aircraft will take place this year, with training and support activities continuing through to 2024.
