Brazil receives last modernised Skyhawk jet

The Brazilian Navy was operating two modernised Skyhawks by the end of May 2018. An AF-1B single-seat variant is shown here. (Embraer)

The Brazilian Navy is in the process of receiving its seventh and final modernised Skyhawk fighter jet.

The acceptance of the AF-1B jet, tail number N-1004, was initiated on 7 March and is expected to take three to four weeks, the navy told Janes on 21 March.

Five AF-1 single-seat and two AF-1A twin-seat aircraft from Squadron Falcão based at the Naval Air Base of São Pedro da Aldeia were modernised to the AF-1B and AF-1C standard, respectively, since 2015. One AF-1B crashed in July 2016.

Embraer was awarded a USD106 million contract in April 2009 to modernise nine AF-1 and three AF-1A aircraft (formerly Kuwait's A-4KU and TA-4KU fighters); however, the programme was later downsized.

Brazil's Skyhawk modernisation programme (sometimes called AF-1M) included overhauling the airframe and engine, as well as installing an AEL Sistemas glass cockpit, an ELTA Systems ELM-2032 radar, onboard oxygen-generation system, Rohde & Schwarz radios, navigation equipment, Elbit Systems radar warning receiver, and mission computer.