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Embraer R-99 / E-99

Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWAC) Aircraft (2001)

Built atop the framework of the Embraer ERJ145 regional jet, the R-99 AWACs platform has found a few customers around the world.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 12/02/2020 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

The Embraer R-99 is a dedicated Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) platform built atop the proven framework of the Brazilian-originated Embraer ERJ145 series passenger regional jet. The airframe offers excellent performance and range, making it an ideal conversion subject which led the aircraft maker Embraer to develop a military-minded, special-mission model. A first-flight of the prototype was had in 1999 and service entry followed in 2001. A few iterations of the base design have become available and all are based in the variants offered within the ERJ145 family line.

The Brazilian Air Force remains one of the more prominent operators of the series - the service flies both the R-99 (3) and E-99 (5) variants. The "E-99" designation was added in 2008 and a modernized form now exists as the "E-99M".

While the R-99 retains the general form of the ERJ145 passenger jet, changes to the design are apparent: over the dorsal spine of the fuselage is suspended a powerful rectangular-shaped radar assembly crucial to the AEW&C role. Small antenna protrusions are set all about the aircraft including under each wing, running along the ventral and dorsal fuselage lines, and at the horizontal tailplanes of the "T-style" tailplane arrangement. The engines, with more powerful versions being featured, are supported on short wingstubs seated towards the rear of the aircraft. The flight crew of two is seated aft of the nosecone in a typical side-by-side configuration while specialists are positioned at workstations throughout the tubular fuselage.

Aboard the R-99A (EMB-145 AEW&C) aircraft is the Saab (Ericsson) "ERIEYE" Active, Electronically-Scanned Array radar system which provides exceptional "eye-in-the-sky" range needed for the role. The R-99B (becoming the "E-99B" in 2008) variant carries a multi-spectral scanner, synthetic aperture radar, and Forward-Looking InfraRed (FLIR) capabilities and is also known as the EMB-145 "Multi-Intel". The proposed "P-99" (EMB-145MP - Maritime Patrol) was to be a dedicated Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) variant born from the ERJ145MP ("Maritime Patrol") model and is further differentiated by the inclusion of four underwing hardpoints (two per wing) for the carrying of air-launched ordnance.

The Brazilian Air Forces E-99 fleet of five aircraft is being modernized to the E-99M standard with more modern equipment and, therefore, enhanced mission capabilities. The Hellenic Air Force of Greece currently (2020) operates four EMD-145-H models with ERIEYE radar while the Mexican Air Force has a single EMB-145-SA ("Surveillance Aircraft") and a pair of EMB-145-MP aircraft at its disposal. The Indian Air Force is working on enhancing its own AEW&C inventory by modifications to the EMB-145-I airframe with local industry playing a large role in the work.

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