# Air Force divests its A-29 fleet, Breaking Defense reports Breaking Defense reports the Air Force plans to store its three Super Tucanos with SNC after the aircraft did not meet test pilot school needs. Published 2026-11-04 by TGOs. Canonical: https://tgos.io/news/2026/11/04/air-force-divests-its-a-29-fleet-breaking-defense/ The Air Force has divested its three A-29 Super Tucanos at Edwards Air Force Base, the service’s only examples of the Embraer-made turboprop, Breaking Defense reported.[1] An Edwards spokesperson told the outlet that the aircraft had been thoroughly evaluated but did not meet the intended use for the Air Force Test Pilot School.[1] Air Force Special Operations Command originally bought the aircraft, then relinquished them after mission requirements changed, the outlet reported, citing a 2024 Air Force release.[1] The test pilot school subsequently took them to assess whether they could meet its test needs.[1] An Oct. 29 Air Force notice outlined plans for a sole-source contract with SNC to store the aircraft.[1] The planned contract would have one base year and two option years.[1] The notice said the aircraft were not expected to return to flight for Air Force use.[1] Embraer assembles A-29s in Jacksonville, Florida, where SNC installs mission equipment for U.S. and specific foreign military sales customers.[1] Embraer officials have said that the Jacksonville line could be at risk without sufficient demand; the company also operates a separate Super Tucano production facility in Brazil.[1] ## Why it matters Officials are exploring future options for a sustainable spin and mission systems aircraft for the test pilot school, the Edwards spokesperson told Breaking Defense.[1] ## Sources 1. Air Force divests its few A-29s, explores ‘future options’, Breaking Defense, Nov. 3, 2026