Brasilian Air Force R-99AThe Embraer R-99 and P-99 are a conversion of the ERJ 145 civil regional jet airliner, for military purposes. Both variations were designed by the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) and Raytheon. The R-99 series are equipped with Rolls-Royce AE 3007 engines, though are modified to provide 20% more thrust than the civil version. The first flight was in 1999.
The R-99A is an Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft, equipped with the Erieye airborne radar from Ericsson AB 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 some other nations.
The R-99B is an 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.
The P-99 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 under-wing hard points, 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 R-99A and R-99B are based in Anapolis AFB. Five R-99As and three R-99Bs are operated by the Air Force as part of the SIVAM program.
Picture added on 09 September 2007
