Alenia/Aermacchi/Embraer AMX

Summary

Category	Combat aircraft
Origin country	🇧🇷 Brazil 🇮🇹 Italy
First flight	15 May 1984
Year of introduction	1989
Number produced	200 units
Average unit price	$13 million

Description

The AMX is an original and almost unique case of cooperation between Europe and an emerging country in the field of aeronautics. Specifically, it was developed jointly by Italy and Brazil, with Embraer being associated with 30% of the program. Initially, it was a response to a request from the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana) to supplement its ground attack capabilities at a lower cost and support its recently deployed Tornado aircraft. In the spring of 1978, Aeritalia and Aermacchi teamed up to work on the project called Aeritalia Macchi Experimental (AMX). They were joined in 1981 by the Brazilian company Embraer, pushed by the Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira) which was in search for a similar aircraft. After the first flight of an Italian prototype in May 1984, followed by the Brazilian prototype in October 1985, production began in 1986, with the first aircraft entering service in the Italian Air Force in 1988 and the Brazilian Air Force in late 1999. The program, however, suffered from budget restrictions: Brazil initially requested 144 aircraft, then reduced it to 79, and finally received 56. It is worth noting that the AMX is designated as the A-1 in Brazil.

The AMX is of similar size and weight to the more recent South Korean Golden Eagle. It resembles many modern fighters, with a swept tail and wings, the latter equipped with drooping slats and double-slotted flaps that provide the AMX with short takeoff and landing capabilities. To maximize weight reduction, the builders extensively used aluminum and composite materials. The tricycle landing gear was strengthened and equipped with low-pressure tires to operate easily on rough terrain. The AMX is powered by a single Rolls-Royce Spey engine with 5,000 kilograms of thrust, giving it a slightly supersonic speed. However, this does not hinder the aircraft's capabilities, especially since it is fuel-efficient. The aerodynamics have been developed to increase the rate of climb. Special attention has been given to the avionics. The cockpit, protected by a two-piece canopy, houses a head-up display, HOTAS controls, and an Alenia multifunction display for navigation, target search, and acquisition. The instrumentation is also compatible with the use of night vision goggles, although the AMX is primarily a daytime attack aircraft. The rest of the onboard equipment includes a Lutton LN-39 inertial navigation system and a radar rangefinder, either an Elta EL/M-2001B for the Italian aircraft or a Tecnasa/SMA SCP-01 for those of the Brazilian Air Force. It should be noted that the Brazilian aircraft are equipped with an aerial refueling probe and a simplified navigation system.

The Italian aircraft are equipped with a single Breda M-61 Vulcan 20mm cannon produced under license, while the Brazilian aircraft, which could not obtain the Vulcan as they were not from an NATO member country, were fitted with two 30mm DEFA 554 cannons. The AMX can carry nearly 3.5 tons of armament on its five hardpoints (four under the wings, one under the fuselage), which can be replaced by additional 1,600 liters of fuel stored in additional tanks under each wing (the ventral hardpoint cannot carry a tank). The wingtips are configured to carry two AIM-9L Sidewinder or Piranha self-defense missiles. The transportable armament is highly diversified. The AMX can drop conventional or guided bombs (including Israeli-made Opher or Paveway GBU-16), as well as launch rockets (Brazilian aircraft are equipped with 70mm SBAT rockets) or air-to-surface missiles like the AGM-65 Maverick. Trials have also been conducted to integrate anti-ship missiles, particularly the AM-39 Exocet in Brazil, but they were not successful. Some Brazilian aircraft are equipped with a Vicon 57 reconnaissance pod.

A few versions were developed, but without success:

AMX-T: Twin-seat trainer
AMX-ATA: Twin-seat aircraft equipped with an Elta EL/M-2032 multi-mode radar and a FLIR pod
AMX-E: Twin-seat aircraft for electronic warfare and attack on radar sites and anti-aircraft defenses, equipped with a multi-mode radar, jamming pods under the ventral hardpoint, and AGM-88 HARM missiles

Both Brazil and Italy have considered modernizing their fleets. In Italy, the ACOL program equipped the AMX aircraft with GPS equipment, a color multifunction display in the cockpit, and new communication systems. In total, 55 aircraft were retrofitted starting in 2005. In Brazil, a program launched in 2004 with Embraer and the collaboration of the Israeli company Elbit was temporarily suspended but resumed in mid-2007. It aims to upgrade the Brazilian A-1 aircraft to the A-1M standard, by incorporating a laser designator, new GPS-guided bombs provided by Avibras, a new data link, and night vision goggles. This extensive program is expected to cover 53 aircraft.

The AMX-T replaced the Aeritalia G.91T and the F-104G in the Italian Air Force, as well as the AT-26 Xavante in the Brazilian Air Force. Only these two air forces have deployed the AMX. An order for 8 aircraft from Venezuela was never fulfilled due to the US embargo after the coup by Hugo Chavez. However, Thailand canceled an order for 38 aircraft in 1992, citing budgetary reasons.

In total, the Italian Air Force received 110 single-seat and 26 twin-seat aircraft, while the Brazilian Air Force received 45 single-seat and 11 twin-seat aircraft.

Technical specifications

Version: AMX
Crew	1 pilot
Operational range	550 km (342 mi)
Maximum speed	1160 km/h (721 mph)
Wing area	68.9 m² (741.5 sqft)
Wingspan	8.8 m (29.0 ft)
Height	4.6 m (14.9 ft)
Length	13.6 m (44.6 ft)
Service ceiling	13000 m (42651 ft)
Empty weight	6730 kg (14837 lbs)
Max. takeoff weight	13000 kg (28660 lbs)
Climb rate	52.0 m/s (170.6 ft/s)
Powerplant	1 × turbofan Rolls-Royce RB.168 Spey Mk 807 delivering 5003 kgp
Ejection seat	Martin-Baker Mk 10