Embraer R-99
The
Embraer R-99 and P-99 are a conversion of the
ERJ 145 civil
regional jet airliner, for military purposes. Both variations were designed by the
Brazilian Air Force and
Raytheon. The R-99 series are equipped with
Rolls-Royce AE 3007 engines, though are modified to provide 20% more thrust than the civil version. The first flight was in
1999.
The
R-99A is an
Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft, equipped with the
Erieye airborne
radar from
Ericsson AB of
Sweden. The FAB claims that it has 95% of the capability of the larger
AWACS aircraft which are in service in the
air forces of some other nations.
The
R-99B is an
remote sensing aircraft. It employs a
synthetic aperture radar, combination electro-optical and
FLIR systems as well as a multi-spectral scanner. The aircraft also possesses signal intelligence and C3I capabilities.
The
P-99 is the maritime patrol version of the R-99. It shares much of the same sensor suite as the R-99B, but most visibly, lacks the multi-spectral scanner and the side-looking radar. It retains many of the
C3I and
ELINT capabilities of the R-99B. The P-99 also carries four under-wing hard points, which can be mounted with a variety of torpedoes and/or anti-ship missiles.
Mexico was the launch customer for this variant.
In
Brazilian service, the R-99A and R-99B are based in
Anapolis AFB. Five R-99As and three R-99Bs are operated by the Air Force as part of the
SIVAM program.
Greece and more recently
India are also customers of the R-99A.
Operators
* Brazil, Greece, India, Mexico.
