Embraer and Valkyrie Aero announced on March 4, 2026, in Jacksonville, Florida, the integration of Valkyrie’s Gunslinger AI suite into the A-29 Super Tucano turboprop light attack and advanced trainer aircraft. This upgrade enhances counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) capabilities by accelerating detection, tracking, and engagement of drone threats through the aircraft’s existing sensors and weapons.
The Gunslinger system processes data from onboard electro-optical/infrared sensors, datalinks, and targeting pods to support the “find, fix, finish” cycle against unmanned threats, including swarms of low-cost drones like Iran’s Shahed series. The A-29’s tandem cockpit, extended loiter time, agility, and low stall speed of around 43kt (80km/h) enable it to match the speed of one-way attack drones, providing a stable platform for .50-caliber machine guns, laser-guided rockets such as the BAE Systems AGR-20 APKWS on Hydra 70 munitions, and other precision effectors.
Marcio Monteiro, Embraer Defense & Security’s Vice President for Market Intelligence, noted the A-29’s over 60,000 combat flight hours as evidence of its suitability for manned C-UAS operations. The partnership addresses militaries’ high costs from using fighter jets against persistent drone threats, positioning the A-29 as a cost-effective alternative with integrated avionics, heads-up display, night-vision compatibility, and operations from austere locations. Valkyrie Aero, a U.S. Department of Defense contractor with night weapons release credentials, developed Gunslinger based on frontline operator needs. No operational fielding timeline was specified.