Embraer ALX

After reading on the November AFM about the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) finally placing orders for the ALX (MAJOR Super Tucano variation), the aircraft caught my eye. I have always thought the Tucano was a good looking aircraft, and now that it has that nice camo scheme the Brazilians will use it for, it looks better than ever. I was just wondering if we could start a good discussion on it. Seems like an interestin aircraft with lots of possibilities. It can be armed with an eye-popping array of weapons, especially when you look at the fact that it is developed from a prop trainer. I mean you have MAA-1 Piranha AAM’s, 20-mm cannon pods, the FLIR-esque pod (can’t remember what it is called exactly…some type of ball that enables the crew or pilot depending on whether it is an AT-29 or A-29 we are talking about, to see at night). Then there is the usual array of bombs and rockets. I wouldn’t be surprised if light-weight LGB’s such as GBU-12/22 500-lb. Paveway bombs are procured and later used on the aircraft. Just seems like an interesting plane so maybe we can get a good discussion going.