Embraer EMB 312 Tucano

The Embraer EMB 312 Tucano ( pronunciation) is a low-wing tandem-seat single-turboprop basic trainer with counter-insurgency capability developed in Brazil. The Brazilian Air Force sponsored the EMB-312 project at the end of 1978, design and development work began in 1979 on a low cost relatively simple new basic trainer with innovative features which ended up becoming the international standard for basic training aircraft. The prototype first flew in 1980 and initial production units were delivered in 1983.

Initially supported by a local order for 118 aircraft with options for an additional 50 units in October 1980, later matched by an Egyptian licence-produced purchase in 1993 and subsequently by an improved variant as the Short Tucano licence-produced in the United Kingdom. Tucano made inroads into military trainer arena, became one of Embraer's first international marketing successes, 664 units produced (504 by Embraer and 160 by Short Brothers) flying 16 air forces over five continents.