First upgraded Skyhawk jet handed over to Brazil

[Zarvan]

Embraer Defense & Security president Jackson Schneider delivers a model of the first modernised AF-1B to the Brazilian Navy's commander, Admiral Eduardo Bacellar Leal Ferreira. Source: Embraer
The Brazilian Navy took delivery of its first upgraded Douglas AF-1 Skyhawk from aerospace conglomerate Embraer on 26 May under the A-4BR programme.

The single-seat AF-1 has now been redesignated AF-1B and is expected to remain in service until 2028. The upgraded twin-seat aircraft will be redesignated AF-1C.

Nine AF-1 single-seat and three AF-1A twin-seat fighters are scheduled to be upgraded and redelivered to VF-1 naval fighter squadron based at São Pedro da Aldeia as part of a 2009 contract.

Embraer is the main contractor for the A-4BR programme, with Elbit's Brazilian subsidiary AEL Sistemas responsible for a new 'glass' cockpit that will replace the analogue panels. The content of the upgrade includes structural revisions and strengthening, a new Elta EL/M-2032 multi-mode radar, radar warning receiver (RWR), a third VHF radio, new datalink, on-board oxygen generation system (OBOGS), hands-on throttle-and-stick (HOTAS), head-up display (HUD), two colour multi-function displays, tactical air navigation (TACAN), and a radar altimeter.

The AF-1s were originally procured by Kuwait in 1976 as the A-4KU Skyhawk II, with deliveries ending in 1978 and the remaining 23 examples sold to Brazil in 1997.

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First upgraded Skyhawk jet handed over to Brazil - IHS Jane's 360

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Douglas A-4 Skyhawk - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

First flight: 1954!

 

[Skull and Bones]

Damn! That fighter is old, one can even buy that jet in private aviation market for less than 3 million.

 

[C130]

surprise they never acquired any A-6 Intruders

Grumman A-6 Intruder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[SQ8]

surprise they never acquired any A-6 Intruders

Grumman A-6 Intruder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

They have a rather small carrier which would have serious difficulty in handling the aircraft. Additionally, the Intruder is rather single purposed compared to a A-4 which can still try to survive if engaged in Aerial combat.

 

[Penguin]

First flight: 1954!

Damn! That fighter is old, one can even buy that jet in private aviation market for less than 3 million.

In 1974, under a $250 million contract, the government of Kuwait purchased 30 newly manufactured A-4Ms and six TA-4s, along with spare parts and support equipment. The Kuwaiti Skyhawks were designated A-4KU and TA-4KU. Delivery began in 1977. Many of the Kuwaiti Skyhawks, based at Dhahran Air base in Saudi Arabia, were flown on combat missions against Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War. At least two of the Kuwaiti A-4s, one flown by Colonel Mubarak, the commanding officer of the Kuwaiti Skyhawk squadron, were lost to Iraqi ground fire during that war. Colonel Mubarak was one of the Allied POWs. Kept in near-mint condition in storage after their retirement, the remaining Kuwaiti Skyhawks were sold to Brazil in 1997.

AF-1B Skyhawk