The Super Tucano light attack and advanced training turboprop was certified by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), last week. This specific certification by the U.S.'s principal aviation regulatory authority allows the beginning of a demo tour to American military bases, and it will open new business opportunities for Embraer Defense and Security in the world's largest defense market.

"This certification of the Super Tucano by the FAA could have a very positive impact on the market development of this proven aircraft in the United States, and is a highly relevant triumph for Embraer Defense and Security," said Luiz Carlos Aguiar, President of Embraer Defense and Security. "The Super Tucano is the technologically most advanced airplane in its category, with proven experience in all of the countries where it already operates, and we have seen growing interest expressed by armed forces."

One Super Tucano is in operation in the United States with Tactical Air Defense Services, Inc., a defense and aerospace contractor, specialized in providing military training, aerial refueling operations, and aircraft maintenance for the U.S. Armed Forces. The aircraft was acquired from Tactical Air Support, Inc. (TacAir), via a leasing contract. TacAir was founded in 2005 by veteran instructors from the U. S. Weapons Schools of the Navy, Marines, and Air Force, test pilots, and maintenance professionals, offers consulting services for tactical military training, and has provided a number of services for the U.S. Department of Defense.

The Super Tucano has been in operation for over seven years, is used by the armed forces of five nations, and will soon go into action in Indonesia. Currently, there are more than 150 of these aircraft flying with excellent performance records: over 130,000 flight hours, and more than 18,000 combat hours, without a single loss.

Designed to operate in harsh environments, under rigorous conditions, with little support infrastructure, the Super Tucano is the ideal aircraft for performing advanced training and counter-insurgency missions. It is capable of flying over operational theaters for more than four hours, while performing reconnaissance and support missions for troops on the ground, and offers more than 130 proven and operational weapons configurations. In the United States, the Super Tucano will be used for training teams specialized in providing Close Air Support for ground troops.