Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has delivered the third and final A-29C Super Tucano aircraft to US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).
The aircraft are intended for AFSOC’s Combat Aviation Advisor (CAA) mission which is designed to build international partner capacity. The first two A-29Cs, delivered earlier this month, are already conducting training operations with AFSOC at Hurlburt Air Force Base.
A-29C is built in the US by SNC and its partner, Embraer Defense & Security. SNC is also contracted to deliver ground support equipment, pilot training, contractor logistics support, spares and sustainment for the program.
“SNC is incredibly proud to partner with the US Air Force to support this critical global mission,” said Ed Topps, senior vice president tactical aircraft systems and programs for SNC’s ISR, Aviation, and Security (IAS) business area. “With an active production line and low lifecycle costs, the A-29C can easily transition into the field to enhance warfighter support and provide long-overdue capabilities to those on the ground.”
Specific to the CAA mission, the A-29C provides AFSOC with capabilities for the purposes of assessing, training, advising, assisting and accompanying partner nation aviation forces in airpower employment, sustainment and force integration.
CAA are air commandos responsible for special operations activities by, with, and through foreign aviation forces. The operators are trained in a wide range of specialized skills that they use to carry out SOF mobility, ISR, precision strike and agile combat support.
