Embraer R-99
Embraer · Brazil · first flew 1999 · transport aircraft
The Embraer R-99 is a family of Brazilian Air Force surveillance and patrol aircraft based on the ERJ 145 regional jet platform. It encompasses airborne early warning, reconnaissance, and maritime patrol variants.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Large surveillance radar or SLAR antenna on upper fuselage |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Militarised ERJ 145 with AEW&C or maritime patrol mission systems
- Rear-mounted engines flanking T-tail
- Large surveillance radar or SLAR antenna on upper fuselage
Externally similar to the ERJ 145 but distinguished by mission system antennas, a dorsal AEW radome (on R-99A), or SLAR pods. The rear-mounted twin engines and T-tail remain the primary airframe identifiers.
Specifications
- The Embraer R-99 has a length of 29.87 m (98 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 20.04 m (66 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 834 km/h (518 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 pilots + mission crew.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed in the late 1990s under Brazil's Sistema de Vigilância da Amazônia (SIVAM) programme, the R-99 first flew in 1999. Embraer partnered with Raytheon to integrate the mission systems. The Brazilian Air Force received several R-99A (AEW&C) and R-99B (remote sensing) aircraft.
Variants
The R-99A is the airborne early warning and control variant with a dorsal AEW radar; the R-99B is the ground-surveillance and remote-sensing variant. The P-99 is the maritime patrol derivative. Export interest from other South American nations existed but limited sales materialised.
Where you'll see it
Operated exclusively by the Brazilian Air Force for Amazon basin surveillance, air defence control, and maritime patrol. The aircraft have played a central role in Brazil's SIVAM/CENSIPAM national security monitoring programmes.
Related aircraft
- EMB-314 Super Tucano
- Embraer A-29 Super Tucano
- ERJ-135
- ERJ-140
- Alenia C-27J Spartan
- Boeing C-40 Clipper
- Cessna Citation CJ2
- Be-200 Altair
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.