It is powered by a more powerful  Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68C engine (compared to the EMB-312's  powerplant); has a strengthened airframe to sustain higher g loads and increase fatigue life to 18,000–12,000 hours in operational environments; a reinforced landing gear to handle greater takeoff weights and heavier stores load, up to 1550 kilograms ; Kevlar armour protection; two internal, wing-mounted .50 cal.