Newly Acquired Super Tucano Aircraft Undergoes Test Flight Operation

The Presidency has said that the newly acquired Super Tucano combat aircraft preordered by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is undergoing test flight operation.

Gistlover reports that the Federal Government had ordered some fighter jets for the air force to use in its fight against Boko Haram insurgency and banditry.

But in a tweet via his Twitter handle on Tuesday, presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, shared a video of the test flight of the aircraft.

Garba noted that six of the 12 aircraft will arrive in mid-June, adding that the remaining six would arrive shortly after.

Test flight operations for @NigAirForce newly acquired Super Tucano combat aircraft.

Video Credit: Sierra Nevada Corporation via https://twitter.com/i/status/1381964743330648065

— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) April 13, 2021

Recall that the Vice-President of tactical aircraft systems and programs for SNC, Edd Topp, had said 14 Nigerian pilots are currently training in Georgia ahead of the delivery.

The jets are being produced by Embraer Defense & Security and Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC).

He had said: “The aircraft met or exceeded all the requirements and we are very pleased with the successful flight.”

He added that “SNC and our partner, Embraer, are certain the Nigerian Air Force will be pleased with these aircraft.”

According to the manufacturers, the aircraft is the most reliable and cost-effective solution for basic and advanced flight and combat training, close air support operations, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), armed over-watch, counter-insurgency and irregular warfare scenarios.