AMX A-1A (Brasil) for VII rank as Premium

BR_Skyguy1939 · January 29, 2024, 4:17am

Would you like to see this in-game (as premium rank VII?

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The AMX A-1 is a fighter-bomber for air-surface attack missions, such as interdiction, close air support and aerial reconnaissance. It was developed by the international consortium AMX International, formed by the companies Aeritalia (later Alenia Aeronautica), Aermacchi and Embraer. The project originated in 1973, when the Italian Air Force requested an aircraft to replace its Aeritalia G.91 and complement the Panavia Tornado. In 1981, the Italian government and the Brazilian government signed an agreement of joint requirements for the aircraft, and Embraer was invited to join the programme. The first prototype flew on 15 May 1984¹².

A-1M 5506 and 5520

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) acquired 45 A-1 AMX aircraft, of which 33 were single-seaters (A-1A) and 12 were two-seaters (A-1B). The production was divided among the three companies of the consortium, with Embraer being responsible for 29.7% of the manufacturing. The FAB received the first A-1 on 13 October 1989, at the Santa Cruz Air Base, in Rio de Janeiro. The aircraft was assigned to the 1°/16° GAv (Adelphi Squadron), which honours the veterans of the 1st Fighter Group who fought in Italy in the Second World War. Later, two other squadrons of the FAB started to operate the A-1: the 3°/10° GAv (Centauro Squadron) and the 1°/10° GAv (Poker Squadron)³⁴⁵.

A-1A cockpit

The Brazilian version of the A-1 has some differences from the Italian version, mainly in the armament and electronic systems. The Brazilian A-1 has two DEFA 554 30 mm cannons on the sides of the fuselage, while the Italian AMX has a M61 Vulcan 20 mm cannon on the left side. The A-1 can also carry a pair of air-to-air missiles AIM-9 Sidewinder or MAA-1 Piranha, as well as conventional bombs, laser-guided or GPS-guided bombs, anti-radar missiles MAR-1 and rockets for ground attack. The A-1 also has a multimode radar FIAR Grifo-F, an inertial/GPS navigation system, a radar warning system, an electronic countermeasures system and an optical/infrared reconnaissance pod. The Brazilian A-1 also has a refuelling probe, which increases its autonomy and range⁶ .

Armaments. Caption and references on the last link

The specifications of the Brazilian version of the A-1 are as follows⁵:

Length: 13.57 m
Wingspan: 8.87 m
Height: 4.57 m
Wing area: 21 m²
Empty weight: 6,000 kg
Maximum take-off weight: 11,500 kg
Engine: a turbofan Rolls-Royce Spey Mk 807, without afterburner, with 5,003 kg of thrust
Maximum speed: 1,160 km/h
Rate of climb: 3,840 m/min
Service ceiling: 13,000 m
Range: 3,150 km (with two external tanks of 1,100 L)
Role: fighter-bomber, training, tactical reconnaissance

The white/grey camouflage adopted in 1989 until 2001 replaced by green/gray scheme.

Feature	Italian version	Brazilian version
Cannon	1 x M61 Vulcan 20 mm	2 x DEFA 554 30 mm
Air-to-air missiles	AIM-9 Sidewinder or Aspide	AIM-9 Sidewinder or MAA-1 Piranha
Anti-radar missiles	AGM-88 HARM	MAR-1
Radar	FIAR Grifo-F or Grifo-346	FIAR Grifo-F
Reconnaissance pod	Rafael Reccelite	Orbisat R-99
Refuelling probe	Retractable	Fixed

In 1994, during the Operation Tiger I, six AMX and six F-5E fighters of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) faced the F-16A/B Block 15 ADF of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard (ANG/USAF). The AMX was the star of this operation, achieving a 100% hit rate on its targets and shooting down the defending F-16s. The AMX also won two dogfights against the F-16s, using its smaller turning radius and surprising the enemy. Impressed, the Americans nicknamed the AMX “Bee”, because it is small but stings lethally if provoked²⁴ ²⁵ ²⁶ ²⁷. Video in the 28th link.