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.
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December 2020 - The Brazilian Air Force has taken delivery of its first modernized R-99 in E-99M form.
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Special-Mission: Airborne Early Warning (AEW)
Specially-equipped platform providing over-battlefield Command and Control (C2) capability for allied aerial elements.
✓Special-Mission: Electronic Warfare (EW)
Equipped to actively deny adversaries the ElectroMagnetic (EM) spectrum and protect said spectrum for allied forces.
Length
98.0 ft (29.87 m)
Width/Span
65.8 ft (20.05 m)
Height
22.1 ft (6.75 m)
MTOW
53,131 lb (24,100 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the Embraer R-99 production variant)
Installed:
2 x AE 3007-A1E non-afterburning turbofan engines developing 8,917lb of thrust.
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the Embraer R-99 production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
None.
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
R-99 - Base Series Designation.
R-99A
R-99B
P-99
E-99M
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
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Brazil; Greece; Mexico; India
