Embraer EMB 312 Tucano
| EMB 312 Tucano | |
|---|---|
| A Peruvian AT-27 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Trainer and light attack aircraft |
| National origin | Brazil |
| Manufacturer | Embraer |
| Status | In Service |
| Primary users | Brazilian Air Force |
| Number built | 637 |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1980–1996 |
| Introduction date | September 1983 |
| First flight | 16 August 1980 |
| Variants | Short Tucano |
| Developed into | Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano |
The Embraer EMB 312 Tucano (English: Toucan) is a low-wing, tandem-seat, single-turboprop, basic trainer and light attack aircraft developed and produced by Embraer in Brazil. The Brazilian Air Force sponsored the EMB-312 project at the end of 1978. Design and development work began in 1979 on a low-cost, relatively simple, new basic trainer with innovative features which eventually became the international standard for basic training aircraft. The prototype first flew in 1980, and initial production units were delivered in 1983.
Production was initially supported by a local order for 118 aircraft, with options for an additional 50 units in October 1980. It was later matched by an Egyptian licence-produced purchase in 1993 and subsequently by a variant known as the Short Tucano, which was licence-produced in the United Kingdom. The Tucano made inroads into the military trainer arena and became one of Embraer's first international marketing successes. A total of 637 units were produced (477 by Embraer and 160 by Short Brothers), flying in 18 air forces.