Within the framework of the U.S. Navy’s Southern Seas 2024 deployment led by the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, AF-1 Skyhawk attack aircraft from the Brazilian Navy carried out a series of exercises with the ship and its Embarked Air Wing.
Thanks to a series of images released by the U.S. Navy, it can be seen how the AF-1 Skyhawks belonging to the 1st Interception and Attack Aircraft Squadron of the Brazilian Naval Aviation operated alongside the American aircraft carrier, performing flyovers and wave-off maneuvers.
The veteran Brazilian A-4 Skyhawks are a rarity, not only because, along with the A-4AR Fightinghawks of the Argentine Air Force, they are the only aircraft of this model still in service with Armed Forces (the vast majority of the world’s fleet is operated by private companies), but also because the Brazilian Navy is the only one in the region with attack aircraft in service.
Currently, Brazilian Naval Aviation operates a reduced fleet of AF-1 Skyhawks after acquiring a batch of 23 A-4/TA-4KU Skyhawks from Kuwait in the 1990s. Over the years, the Brazilian Navy undertook a modernization program, an initiative carried out by Embraer, initially covering twelve aircraft (nine single-seaters and three two-seaters).
The planned work for the Skyhawks included the installation of new navigation systems, a power generation system, computer replacements, new tactical communication equipment, and the installation of a state-of-the-art multimode radar. “…In addition to the modernization, the airframe was revitalized, increasing the aircraft’s service life…”, Embraer reported at the time.
Despite the program’s progress, the Brazilian Navy eventually reduced the number of Skyhawks to be modernized. In April 2022, Embraer delivered the last upgraded aircraft, having completed the update of five AF-1Bs and two AF-1Cs. One of the two-seaters was lost in an accident that took place in 2016.
During the activities carried out with the U.S. Navy, Brazilian Naval Aviation also deployed at least one AH-15B Super Cougar helicopter from the 2nd General Employment Helicopter Squadron and an AH-11B Wild Lynx from the 1st Reconnaissance and Attack Helicopter Squadron. The AH-15B operated from the Washington carrier, while the Wild Lynx operated with the destroyer USS Porter DDG 78.
Cover image: US Navy – Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class August Clawson
You may also like: The aircraft carrier USS George Washington completed exercises with frigates from the Brazilian Navy
