Embraer today delivered the seventh and final modernized A-4 Skyhawk fighter jet (locally designated AF-1) to the Brazilian Navy.
The ceremony was held at Embraer’s industrial unit in Gavião Peixoto, in São Paulo state. Under the AF-1 program (the Navy designation for the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk), seven subsonic fighter jets were modernized – five single-seater AF-1Bs and two two-seaters AF-1Cs.
These aircraft were designated A-4KU and TA-4KU and were originally purchased from Kuwait, which used them extensively during the Gulf War, operating from bases located in Saudi Arabia.
#NOTÍCIA | #Embraer entrega último caça #AF1B modernizado à @marmilbr. Leia a notícia completa: https://t.co/7ruyc1poBK #EmbraerStories #WeAreEmbraer pic.twitter.com/qE6LP02UxI
— Embraer (@embraer) April 20, 2022
These Skyhawks should have been the main offensive asset of the embarked combat air wing of the aircraft carrier NAe São Paulo (A-12), purchased second-hand from France, where it served from 1963 to 2001 as the Foch (R-99).
Budget cuts and heavy deterioration of the ship forced the Brazilian Navy to decommission it in 2017, leading to a reduction of the AF-1 order from Embraer.
AF-1, the Skyhawk modernized by Embraer
The AF-1 is an intercept and attack aircraft operated from airfields or aircraft carriers as a vector for the fleet’s air defense. The Brazilian Navy’s modernized aircraft received new navigation, weapons, power generation, computers, tactical communication, and sensor systems, including a state-of-the-art multi-mode radar and a new operating system. In addition to the modernization, the revitalization of the cell was carried out, increasing the aircraft’s useful life.
Modernization provides pilots a situational awareness and familiarity with modern combat aircraft systems operations—essential and relevant criteria for the current combat scenario.
As part of the modernization program carried out by Embraer, a high-fidelity flight simulator was developed permitting the Brazilian Navy to carry out pilot training, thus increasing safety in its operations.
Briefing and debriefing stations used in the training and proficiency of pilots were also provided to improve their use, to reduce costs and to bring greater effectiveness to mission planning and execution.
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