EMB 111 Bandeirante Patrulha

When production ceased in 1990, 500 Bandeirantes had been ordered and built, variants including the EMB-110, EMB-110/C-95, EMB-110 A/EC 95, EMB-110B/R-95, EMB-110B1, EMB-110C, EMBHOE(J), EMB-110K1/C-95A, EMB-110P, EMB-110P1K and EMB-110S1. The final production versions, progressive developments of earlier aircraft, included the EMB-110P1/C-95B for quick-change passenger/cargo operations; EMB-110P2/C-95C third-level commuter transport; and two versions corresponding to the foregoing for operations at a higher gross weight which have the respective designations EMB-110P1/41 and EMB-110P2/41 A pressurised version designated EMB-110P3, did not proceed.

Two other versions were developed for more specific military applications, the first being the EMB-110P1SAR for inland or over-water search and rescue. This has accommodation for observers and a variety of rescue equipment, plus space for up to six stretcher patients. Five are operated by the Brazilian air force under the designation SC-95B. Others are the EC-95B calibration and XC-95B rain research versions.

The second is the EMB-111 land-based maritime surveillance aircraft which is operated by the Coastal Command of Brazil's air force under the designation P-95. Examples have been supplied also to the Chilean navy and the air force of Gabon. Generally similar to the standard Bandeirante, the EMB-111 can be distinguished by its wingtip tanks and large nose radome. Internally it carries sea patrol radar, an inertial navigation system and Thomson-CSF passive ECM equipment. Underwing pylons can carry air-to-surface rockets, target markers and chaff dispensers.

In 1977, Embraer introduced a new version of the aircraft, the EMB 111, known in Brazil as “Bandeirulha,” an adapted version of the Bandeirante meant to develop missions of maritime information, search and rescue. It was designed to fill a need of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), which sought to replace the old Neptune P-15 airplanes.

The first delivery of this version was to the Chilean Navy in 1977. FAB received its units on April 11, 1978, at the Salvador Air Base. In the same year, the aircraft was publicly introduced during the Farnborough International Airshow, one of the most important aviation tradeshows in the world, held in England.

The version has calibration to aid navigation and capacity for up to five passengers—two pilots, a radar operator and two observers. Equipped with two 750-SHP Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 turboprop engines, it can reach a cruising speed of 385 km/h (239 mph). Its fuel tank has greater capacity than the conventional Bandeirante, and so it therefore has greater flight range.

The nose of the Bandeirante was modified and covered with fiberglass radomes to protect the antenna of its AN/APS-128 radar, used for coastal surveillance, search, rescue, navigation and support in the development of weather charts. The radar is capable of detecting a target of 150 m² (95 miles) about 100 kilometers (63 miles) away, even in rough seas. These features were essential on one of the first assignments of the Bandeirulha for FAB: to hunt for illegal fishing boats out in the lines of fish schools on the north coast of Brazil. For night searches, the Bandeirulha has a powerful headlight on its right wing.

At the time of its launch, one its major selling points was its electronic equipment, which allowed automatic control and other advantages that no other similar aircraft in its class had.