Embraer EMB - 145 AWACS The Embraer EMB - 145 AEW & C or AWACS ( English Airborne Early Warning and Control ) or E - 99 , is an aircraft Airborne Early Warning and Control with capacity for independent monitoring and air traffic control . Designed to meet the operational requirements of Brazilian Air Force ( FAB ) , for an aerial surveillance aircraft , capable of providing intelligence data on aircraft flying at low altitude , specially in Brazilian Amazon , doing missions in support of SIVAM . Historical development . Project SIVAM . Aiming to curb illegal activities and provide data to SIPAM ( Amazon Protection System ) , was established by the Brazilian Government , through the Ministry of Aeronautics , SIVAM ( Amazon Surveillance System ) , which employs the means for collecting , processing and dissemination of data on Amazon , Intending to promote sustained development of this region . For this , the SIVAM has a network of radars surface , responsible for monitoring the airspace Amazon , which operate both in flight safety over the forest , such as surveillance and border control . One concern is the system ' s coverage of air traffic flying at low altitude . An aircraft flying below 10 , 000 feet ( 3 , 000 meters ) , is a regular flight or illegal , there will gaps in coverage of the radars . To address these situations , Brazilian Air Force ( FAB ) , would involve aerial surveillance aircraft , specially developed for this purpose , supplementing the data produced by equipment installed on land . E - 99 aircraft . Hired to develop the new aircraft , Embraer initially made use of his model turboprop EMB - 120 Brasilia , Which was subjected to work towards their qualification as a platform for integration with the radar Erieye ( selected for the AWACS system ) . However , the delay of almost two and a half years for the contract of SIVAM ( scheduled for early 1995 , its implementation took place only on July 25 , 1997 ) added to the restrictions set by the cell of the EMB - 120 Brasilia , did with which the aircraft were replaced by jet ERJ - 145 At the time , recently launched in the market . This jet , designed for regional routes , presents a structural design capable of withstanding high frequency use , and may surpass 2 , 800 hours of flying per year . Their internal systems as well as control of the engines , and have double redundancy , which gives the ERJ - 145 high percentage of availability for missions . On the instrument , the ERJ - 145 panel displays an all - digital , the avionics systems are Primus 1000 , consists of five main displays on LCD screens , interchangeable , two PFD " ( Primary Flight Displays ) " Two MFD " ( Multi - Function Displays ) " and an EICAS " ( Engine Indication and Crew Alerting System ) " . Its engines are fitted with FADEC " ( Full Authority Digital Engine Control ) " , Which allows for automatic starting with a complete application performance management . To fulfill the missions AEW & C , the cell ' s ERJ - 145 received structural reinforcement at the top of the fuselage needed to house the radar antenna Erieye ; increased " winglets " ( " Fold " wingtip to improve aerodynamics , delivering improved fuel economy and range ) increased fuel capacity over the civilian version ; APU " ( Auxiliary Power Unit ) " more powerful , new communication systems and navigational system data link " Datalink " ; Sensors monitored for signs of clandestine communications ; Islands command and control ( Workstations ) , among other equipment . The maiden flight of the EMB - 145 AEW & C ( formerly known as R - 99A by FAB , Passed in 2008 to work with the designation " E - 99 " . ) occurred on May 22 , 1999 , with the first operational test of the radar Erieye happening on January 25 , 2001 . On July 24 , 2002 , were delivered to the Air Force the first three E - 99 ( out of five ) that were intended for 2 / 6 GAv ( 2nd Squadron 6th Aviation Group ) , headquartered in Anapolis Air Base and can be moved quickly , at any point of Brazilian territory , in cases where their capacity for surveillance and air traffic control becomes necessary . In late 2003 , the Company conducted a series of experiments involving a prototype of the ERJ - 145 , and a KC - 130 FAB , in order to provide the EMB - 145 AEW & C system with air refueling . The 2° / 6° GAv entitled Squadron Guardian , held between 23 and 25 August 2004 , the first tests of interconnection between radio system " Datalink " Between one R - 99 and three A - 29 Super Tucano COIN aircraft , Completing the full operational stage of development of this aircraft for aerial surveillance . Radar Erieye . Key Features . The main sensor of the EMB - 145 AEW & C is on the multi - role radar Ericsson PS - 890 Erieye , antenna flat type scanning electron active , characterized by not depend on the swivel 360 degree aerial search , common to other radars of airborne surveillance . Installed on the fuselage of the aircraft , the radar antenna Erieye contains in its interior , 192 auto - addressable modules transmit and receive signals , allowing the tracking of aircraft with smaller dimensions , or even cruise missile ships . Your e - beam , quick steering , gives operators the ongoing monitoring of the target detected , and the ability to manage multiple targets simultaneously . At an altitude of 25 , 000 feet ( 7620 meters ) , is its ability to scan more than 350 km around the aircraft , which can display up to 300 air traffic . Opera in the S band , suffering less attenuation by the atmosphere , have the ability to change its frequency automatically when electromagnetic interference is suffering purposeful " ( Jamming ) " . Missions . Sensors and embedded systems of the EMB - 145 AEW & C makes it able to act in a wide range of missions , including : command and control , surveillance and border control , maritime surveillance , monitoring of communications signals , coordination of search operations and rescue ; vectoring fighter and air space management .