In the mid-1980s, Brazil and Italy ed together to develop a new fighter-bomber. The result of the project led by Aeritalia, Aermacchi and Embraer was the AMX, which remains in service with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) and the Aeronautica Militare Italiana (AMI), although already at the end of its operational life.
In addition to investing in the creation of the aircraft – something that was fundamental to Embraer's growth – the Brazilian government acquired a total of 56 A-1s (as the fighter was named by the FAB), even though the initial desire was for 79 units.
The AMX entered service in Brazil in the 1990s with the Adelphi squadron (1st/16th GAv) at Santa Cruz Air Base (RJ), later being handed over to the Poker (1st/10th GAv) and Centauro (3rd/10th GAv) squadrons. GAV) from Santa Maria Air Base (RS). With the deactivation of the Rio unit in 2016, only RS squadrons remained operating the A-1.
Tested in combat in Europe and the Middle East by Italy and acting in missions against mining and trafficking with the FAB, the AMX proved to be an excellent ground attack and tactical reconnaissance platform, taking advantage of its great autonomy and capacity to carry up to 3,8 tons of bombs, missiles and sensors.
And part of this charge was shown in a recent photo by the journalist João Paulo Moralez, from Hunter Press. The image, provided to aeroflap, shows a display of the armaments that equip the FAB's A-1 AMX.
As the author of the image explains in other matter, most of the range of armaments available for the AMX is aimed at hitting targets on the ground.
In the image we see:
- 82 lb Mk.500 bomb (3) The AMX can carry the entire series of Mk.80 general-purpose bombs (81, 83 and 84 of 250, 1000 and 2000 pounds, respectively), developed in the USA;
- BINC-300 Incendiary Bomb (5)
- SUU-20 training pod (11), capable of carrying six BEX-11 or BDU-33 bombs (12) and four more 70mm rockets;
- BLG-252 Grenade Launcher Bomb (6). Also known as a cluster bomb, the BLG carries 248 grenades, each weighing 750 grams; the ammunition has a total weight of 324 kg;
- BAFG-230 bombs with the Lizard II laser guidance kit (7) charged in pairs via the twin carrier pod (16). The BAFG (General Purpose Air Bomb) is the domestic version of the North American Mk.80 series. With the lizard kit (similar to the US Paveway), the BAFG becomes a smart weapon.
- All of this material is laid out on top of a target for air-to-ground job training. (18).
Despite its good autonomy, the A-1 is also commonly seen with underwing tanks like the one in the image (10), 580 liters. The fighter can also use a larger model, with a capacity of 1100 liters.
In of organic armament, the AMX is equipped with the Mk.164 cannon (8) caliber 30mm (9) Manufactured in Brazil by the former Bernardini (the same company responsible for the Tamoyo combat vehicle), the Mk.164 is an Israeli version of the DEFA 554, used in the Dassault Mirage III. The Italian AMX, designated A-11 Ghibli, uses the M61A2 Vulcan 20 mm rotary cannon.
Even though it specializes in land attack, the A-1 is a fighter-bomber and therefore received integration with air-to-air missiles. In Italy, the Ghibli was equipped with the North American AIM-9L Sidewinder. In Brazil, he received the Mectron MAA-1 Piranha (1) national. Both models are short-range, infrared oriented. Although not used in the aircraft, the AIM-9B (2) also appears in the image. Like other planes, the AMX uses chaffs and flares (17) to defend against radar and heat-guided missiles. These are installed on the rear sides of the aircraft.
Next to the SUU-20, the SUU-25 pod (4) for the use of illuminating flares. Unlike the flares used to deceive heat-seeking missiles, these are used to illuminate large areas at night. When fired, a parachute opens and the hanging material burns slowly and intensely, generating a strong light.
Learn more about the history of the aircraft with the book AMX | Brazilian-Italian Fighter-Bomber
To identify targets and guide its smart bombs, the AMX received the Rafael LITENING III pod (13) For tactical reconnaissance missions, Reccelite is used (14) based on Litening. This replaced a number of other pods used by the jet in its career, such as Pallet II and III, Vinten and Vicon. For electronic warfare, the A-1 was integrated with the Rafael Sky Shield electronic attack and jamming pod (15) The Sky Shield was to be used in conjunction with the Mectron MAR-1 anti-radar missiles, but the project was eventually cancelled.
The weapons of the A-1, but in other times
If we now look at the current armaments of the AMX A-1, two other photos show what the FAB attack jet used under its wings almost 30 years ago. The images, from the photographer Rob Schleiffert, show the A-1A 5505 displayed with its armaments at the Santa Cruz Air Base (RJ) in July 1995, next to an Adelphi Squadron (1st/16th GAv) building.
Again, João Paulo helps us identify the fighter-bomber's ordnance, some of which are still seen on modernized aircraft.
- At the tip of the wing, the AIM-9B Sidewinder air-to-air missile (1);
- On the stand, the 1100 liter underwing tank (2) with the 580 liter tank installed on the aircraft;
- The AMX in the photo is loaded with four BINC-300 incendiary bombs (3), installed under the wings, and two other BINC-500 (3) on the fuselage. Both models suspended with the twin carrier pod;
- On the easel next to the tank, again the SUU-20 (4) with six BEX-11 training bombs (8) and 70mm rockets;
- LAU-3 pod with 19 70mm rockets (5) According to Moralez, the LAU-3s were used in the F-5, with the AMX receiving another model, the LM-70/19, manufactured nationally;
- ‘Hidden’ behind the SUU-20, a Mk.82/BAFG-230 bomb(6) and a Mk.83/BAFG-460 (7). The two bombs are painted blue, indicating that they are inert materials;
- The 164mm Mk.30 cannon bay (9) open, with ammunition tapes (10) exposed on the floor;
- In the background, in red, a towed aerial target pod (11) the Equipaer NP-AV-1TAS. This equipment is used in aerial fire training missions;
- Finally, in the second photo, the flare and chaff launchers (12).
Interestingly, both the plane and the squadron were decommissioned. In July 2022, the remains of AMX FAB 5505 were put up for sale as scrap. The Adelphi Squadron, created to deploy the AMX in Brazil, was deactivated in December 2016 in Santa Cruz.
In 2019, the then Air Force Commander, Air Lieutenant General Antonio Carlos Moretti Bermudez, who flew in the unit, confirmed that the Adelphi would be reactivated at Anápolis Air Base with the F-39 Gripen multirole fighters.
The modernization, which included only 11 of the 44 planes originally planned, gave Brazil's main attack aircraft a nice lifespan. Even so, the lights for the small but powerful AMX are already going out. Its operation with FAB is approaching its end, with the model expected to retire between 2025 and 2028.
