The A-29 Super Tucano is getting a new counter-drone upgrade as Embraer teams up with Valkyrie Aero to bring the Gunslinger system to the aircraft. The goal is to give military operators a more practical and lower-cost way to deal with unmanned threats, especially at a time when drones are becoming harder to ignore on the battlefield.
At the center of the partnership is Valkyrie’s Gunslinger AI suite, which is designed to support real-time counter unmanned aerial systems work. In simple terms, it helps crews detect, track, and respond to drone threats faster. Embraer says this will add to the A-29’s current counter-drone capability, which already uses existing onboard sensors.
The move also reflects a wider problem many air forces now face. High-end fighter jets can stop drones, but doing that often comes with a very high cost per mission. That is why aircraft like the A-29 are getting more attention. They can stay in the air longer, fly at speeds that better match smaller aerial threats, and carry weapons that are more suitable for this kind of mission.
Why the A-29 is being used for this role
The A-29 Super Tucano has already built a strong track record in light attack and surveillance work. Embraer says the aircraft has logged more than 60,000 combat flight hours, and that experience matters when adapting it for new missions.
Its tandem cockpit, long loiter time, and agility make it a good fit for counter-drone work. One of its practical strengths is that it can safely match the speed of one-way attack drones more closely than faster fighter aircraft can. That creates a more stable platform for using guns, guided rockets, and other effectors against airborne threats.
“We are proud to partner with Valkyrie to further enhance the A-29 C-UAS mission capabilities. With over 60,000 combat flight hours, the A-29 Super Tucano is the gold standard for light attack globally, and the ideal platform for manned C-UAS operations,” said Marcio Monteiro, Market Intelligence Vice-President of Embraer Defense & Security.
A lower-cost answer to a growing drone threat
The partnership also shows how the counter-drone mission is changing. Air forces are no longer looking only at speed and raw power. Cost, endurance, and mission flexibility now matter just as much, especially when the threat comes from smaller drones that can appear in large numbers.
Valkyrie says Gunslinger was built with direct input from frontline needs. That matters because the drone threat keeps changing, and systems meant to stop it need to adapt just as quickly. Embraer and Valkyrie are positioning the A-29 as a platform that can meet that demand without relying on much more expensive frontline fighters for every mission.
“Valkyrie is excited to partner with Embraer to deliver Gunslinger on the A-29 platform for customers worldwide. Gunslinger is born from the immediate needs of the frontline warfighter, whom Valkyrie trains and engages with every day,” said Chris Turner, Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy of Valkyrie Aero.
This gives the A-29 another layer of relevance in today’s market, where air forces want aircraft that can do more than one job and do it at a cost they can sustain.
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