According to Embraer, its A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft possesses the capability to shoot down drones, generating significant interest among existing customers and potential users. Utilizing propeller-driven light attack aircraft for drone hunting missions has recently become an emerging trend. This is largely due to the combat-proven Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) laser-guided 70mm rocket, which has demonstrated exceptional performance in countering unmanned aerial vehicles.

  In a press release, Embraer outlined the potential of the A-29 as an aerial "drone killer." The A-29 is a twin-seat, single-engine turboprop aircraft widely used globally, serving both as a trainer and a light attack aircraft. The aircraft's standard configuration includes two 12.7mm machine guns, one on each wing. Furthermore, the aircraft can carry various guided and unguided munitions, or other external stores such as fuel tanks, via four underwing hardpoints and one centerline hardpoint under the fuselage. The A-29 can also be fitted with various sensors under the forward fuselage, including electro-optical and infrared cameras, as well as laser trackers or designators.

  Leveraging the A-29's operational characteristics and new sensors – including electro-optical/infrared sensors for receiving initial target coordinates and dedicated datalinks, for laser tracking and designation, laser-guided rockets, and the wing-mounted 12.7mm caliber machine guns for destroying target drone systems – Embraer defines the A-29's operational concept as a mission aircraft for an optional counter-unmanned aircraft system.

  Jackson Schneider, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, stated in a declaration that the persistent challenges of modern warfare and recent conflicts worldwide indicate a pressing current need for solutions to counter drones. The A-29 is an effective and low-cost tool ideally suited for countering drone systems, further expanding the aircraft's already broad mission set, which includes close air support, armed reconnaissance, advanced training, and more.

  Laser-guided rockets are central to the A-29's counter-drone concept. The APKWS II rocket, developed by BAE Systems, is becoming a leader in this field. The APKWS II rocket primarily consists of three main components: a 70mm rocket motor, a variety of standard warheads, and a laser guidance section.

  This counter-drone rocket has now become a primary weapon for the U.S. Air Force against drones. Compared to traditional air-to-air missiles, the APKWS II rocket offers significant advantages in both cost and loadout capacity. According to comparisons, the unit cost of an APKWS II rocket is only tens of thousands of U.S. dollars, whereas the unit costs of comparable AIM-9X Sidewinder and AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles are approximately $500,000 and $1,000,000 respectively. Regarding loadout capacity, a hardpoint that could originally carry only one AIM-9X or AIM-120 missile can now carry one or multiple 7-round APKWS II rocket pods instead; for example, a single hardpoint on an F-15 can carry three APKWS II rocket pods.

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Post time:Sep-25-2020