Embraer R-99

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R-99A/B P-99
Brazilian Air Force R-99A
Role	Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) (R-99A) Remote sensing (R-99B) Maritime patrol (P-99)
National origin	Brazil
Manufacturer	Embraer
First flight	1999
Introduction	1999
Status	Active
Primary users	Brazilian Air Force (R-99A/B) Hellenic Air Force (R-99A) Mexican Air Force (R-99A/P-99)
Produced	1999–
Number built	11 (2 on order / 7 options) (R-99A) 3 (R-99B) 2 (P-99)
Unit cost	~US$80 million $2,000/hour (Operational Cost)[1]
Developed from	Embraer ERJ-145

The Embraer R-99 and P-99 are military versions of the ERJ 145 civil regional jet. The R-99 series are equipped with Rolls-Royce AE 3007 turbofan engines. The military versions provide 20% more thrust than the civil version. The first flight was in 1999.

Variants[edit]

The R-99A/E-99/EMB 145 AEW&C is an Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft, equipped with the Erieye airborne active electronically scanned array radar from Saab Microwave Systems (formerly Ericsson Microwave Systems) 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 other nations. In 2008 the FAB redesignated the R-99A as the E-99, the local name for the Embraer EMB-145SA (Surveillance Aircraft), a special military conversion of the passenger version of the Embraer ERJ-145LR.

The R-99B/R-99/EMB 145 MULTI INTEL is a 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. In 2008 the FAB redesignated the R-99B as the R-99, the local name for the Embraer EMB-145RS (Remote Sensing), a special military conversion of the passenger version of the Embraer ERJ-145LR.

The P-99/EMB 145 MP 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 underwing hardpoints, 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 E-99 and R-99 are based in Anapolis AFB. Five E-99s and three R-99s are operated by the Air Force as part of the SIVAM program.

Operational History[edit]

A Greek R-99 was deployed to perform AEW missions in the framework of the enforcement of no-fly zone over Libyan Civil War (2011).^[2]

Operators[edit]

 Brazil

• Brazilian Air Force – 5 E-99s (will undergo modernization to E-99M),^[3][4][5] 3 R-99s

 Greece

• Hellenic Air Force – 4 R-99A (HAF designation is "Erieye EMB-145H AEW&C")^[6]

 Mexico

• Mexican Air Force – 1 R-99 (FAM designation EMB-145AEW&C), 2 P-99s

 India

• Indian Air Force –Platform Only- 3 EMB-145SA (IAF designation EMB-145I) to be fitted Indian w/LRDE developed AESA radar array, datalinks, IFF, RWR, MWR. First aircraft delivered on 16 August 2012.^[7] The Air Force has option to buy another seven aircraft.^[8]

Specifications (ERJ 140)[edit]

R-99B in 2013

Cockpit of a R-99 airplane of the Brazilian Air Force

Data from Suppositions according to EMB 145 family specifications.^{[citation needed]}

General characteristics

• Crew: 3; pilot, co-pilot, flight attendant
• Capacity: 44 passengers
• Length: 28.45 m (93 ft 4 in)
• Wingspan: 20.04 m (65 ft 9 in)
• Height: 6.76 m (22 ft 2 in)
• Wing area: 51.2 m² (551 ft²)
• Empty weight: 11,740 kg (25,900 lb)
• Loaded weight: 17,100 kg (37,700 lb)
• Max. takeoff weight: 21,100 kg (46,500 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce AE 3007A turbofan, 33.0 kN (7,420 lb_f) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 834+ km/h (518+ mph, Mach 0.78+)
• Range: 3,019 km + internal tanks (1,876 miles + internal tanks)
• Service ceiling: 11,278+ m (37,000+ ft)
• Rate of climb: 780+ m/min (2,560+ ft/min)
• Wing loading: 334+ kg/m² (68+ lb/ft²)

Gallery[edit]

• 

  An Embraer R-99A AEW&C of the Mexican Air Force at Santa Lucia AFB.

• 

  An Embraer R-99A (EMB-145H AEW&C) of the Hellenic Air Force during delivery tests at Elefsis AB, Greece.

• 

  An Embraer R-99A of the Brazilian Air Force on display at RAF Fairford, England, during an airshow.

• 

  Embraer R-99A AEW&C during trials in Halmstad, Sweden, before delivery to the Brazilian Air Force.

See also[edit]

	Aviation portal
	Brazil portal

Related development

• Embraer ERJ 145 family
• DRDO AEW&CS

References[edit]

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Embraer R-99A Erieye.

• ERJ Family official site