Summary: The A-29 Super Tucano, a propeller-driven light attack aircraft built by Brazil's Embraer, is praised for its close air support (CAS) capabilities, especially by the United States Special Forces. Its slower speed relative to jets allows for precise operations near ground forces and extended loiter times over battlefields.

-Despite its effectiveness and lower cost, there are debates about replacing the aging A-10 Warthog with the A-29.

-While the Super Tucano is capable, carrying .50-caliber machine guns and up to 3,714 pounds of external weapons, it lacks the heavy armor and firepower of the A-10, including the iconic Gatlin gun. The suggestion that the A-29 could replace the A-10 is seen by some as impractical, given the significant differences in speed, armor, and payload capacity.

Is the A-29 Super Tucano a Viable Replacement for the A-10 Warthog?

The A-29 Super Tucano is a unique bird. It is built by the Brazilian aerospace firm, Embraer. The bird itself is used by the Air Force to conduct close-in air support (CAS) missions: bringing massive firepower against enemy ground forces which are fighting precariously close to friendly forces on the ground. 

What makes this warplane even more interesting is that it is a propeller-driven craft. Because of this, it is a cheaper alternative to other jet-powered systems that most observers are familiar with.

The fact is that the A-29 is a prop plane and is, therefore, relatively slow (when compared to other birds in America’s air fleet). Many people might consider that a weakness. Given its mission of CAS, this allows for the bird to attack the enemy from very close distances and to loiter over a battlefield, providing critical air support. The United States Special Forces community loves this bird because of the way that it assists in their various missions. 

Could it actually replace the A-10 Warthog? 

The A-29 Super Tucano Specs

In fact, the A-29 Super Tucano has occasionally been floated as more cost-effective alternative to the aging A-10 Warthog (although this author believes getting rid of the A-10 at all is a short-sighted decision).

The Super Tucano has a maximum airspeed of just 367 miles per hour and a range of about 1,900 miles (with additional external-mounted fuel pods). It has more than 500,000 total flight hours logged in its long and illustrious service with an additional 60,000 combat hours.

Despite being a mere prop plane, the A-29 can pack an outsized punch. The main weapon for the A-29 are its twin M3P .50-caliber machine guns which carry 250 rounds of ammunition each (so a total of 500 rounds between the two of them). 

What’s more, the A-29 Super Tucano carry a combined weight of 3,714 pounds of external weapons—including precision-guided munitions. 

The A-29 is classified as a “light attack” aircraft, meaning that, while it’s a highly maneuverable bird, it is lightly armored and can be destroyed much easier than other planes that perform CAS missions for the Air Force. 

Let’s go back to the suggestion that this author has heard from some people who wanted to abandon the A-10 Warthog program. Back when I worked in government, as the debate over the A-10 program was raging, some were suggesting the A-29 replace the A-10 as a cheaper alternative.

Certainly, the A-29 is an amazing plane that has helped keep America safe. There’s a reason that multiple other nations, including US partners, such as Colombia, love the A-29 (beyond its relatively affordability).

Not a Worthy Replacement for the A-10

It's an irresponsible—insane, even—suggestion that the A-29 Super Tucano should replace the A-10 Warthog. 

For starters, the A-10 is a jet-powered bird surrounded in a blanket of heavy armor. So, the A-10 is not only better armored than the A-29, but it travels at around 420 miles per hour, making it significantly faster than the A-29. Plus, the A-10 can carry up to 16,000 pounds of ordnance into combat. Oh, and don’t forget the A-10’s most iconic feature, it’s 30mm, hydraulically driven, seven-barrel Gatlin gun that makes minced meat of enemies below.

The A-29 lacks even the Gatlin gun that has made the A-10 such a pivotal component in combat for the United States. Therefore, it’d probably take three or four A-29s to do the work of a single A-10. 

Super Tucanos are phenomenal warplanes that have a role in America’s fleet. But to expect it to replace the jet-powered A-10 is just bad policy.

About the Author 

Brandon J. Weichert, a National Interest national security analyst, is a former Congressional staffer and geopolitical analyst who is a contributor at The Washington Times, the Asia Times, and The-Pipeline. He is the author of Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His next book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine, is due October 22 from Encounter Books. Weichert can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.

All images are Creative Commons.