GR!FF!N
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2012
- Messages
- 8,706
- Reaction score
- -4
- Country
- Location
The US Air Force has chosen a Brazilian firm for a $427 million contract to supply light attack planes to Afghan forces, the company said Thursday, despite competition from an American bid.
Brazilian planemaker Embraer said 20 of its AT-29 Super Tucano aircraft would be manufactured in Florida in partnership with an American firm, after winning a prolonged competition with US rival Hawker Beechcraft Corp.
US forces are due to withdraw from Afghanistan next year, leaving the Afghan military to continue the fight against Taliban rebels, and Washington is racing to train and equip its lightly-armed allies for the battle ahead.
“The A-29 Super Tucano with its proven track record is exactly what’s needed,” said Taco Gilbert, a vice-president of Embraer’s US partner in the contract, the Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC)
The propeller-driven Super Tucano comes in single and two-seated versions that can be equipped with a machinegun and a variety of bombs and missiles, in a ground attack or reconnaissance role.
Embraer and Sierra Nevada were initially awarded a $355 million contract for the planes in December 2011, but the US Air Force called off the deal two months later after a legal challenge from rival Hawker Beechcraft.
Armament of Super Tunaco---
Guns:
Internal: (2x) 12.7 mm (0.50 in) 950 rounds per minute FN Herstal M3P machine guns in wings.
pod: (1x) 20 mm (0.79 in) 650 rounds per minute GIAT M20A1 cannon below the fuselage.
pod: (1x) 12.7 mm (0.50 in) FN Herstal HMP for M3P machine gun.
pod: (4x) 7.62 mm (0.30 in) 3,000 rounds per minute Dillon Aero M134 Minigun (under development).
Hardpoints: 5 (two under each wing and one under fuselage centreline) with a capacity of 1,550 kg (3,300 lb)
Rockets:
(4x) pods 70 mm (2.75 in) LM-70/19(SBAT-70[147]
(4x) pods 70 mm (2.75 in) LAU-68A/G
Missiles:
Air-to-air:
AIM-9L Siderwinder
MAA-1A Piranha
MAA-1B Piranha (under development)
Python 3
Python 4
Air-to-ground:
AGM-65 Maverick
Bombs:
General-purpose bombs:
(10x) Mk 81
(5x) Mk 82
M-117
Incendiary bombs:
BINC-300
Cluster bombs:
BLG-252
Precision-guided bombs:
SMKB-82 (under development) – Mectron/Britanite INS/GPS guidance kit for Mk 82.
GBU-54 (under development)
GBU-38 (under development)
GBU-39 (under development)
Paveway II
Lizard – Elbit laser guidance kit.
Griffin – IAI laser guidance kit.
Others:
Chaff & Flare (countermeasures)
FLIR AN/AAQ-22 Star SAFIRE II (Electro-Optical/Infrared Sensors)
Thats a very important decision for ANA.this will multiply their capability to fight against Taliban by increasing their CAS capability.Congrats Afghan brothers..
Brazilian planemaker Embraer said 20 of its AT-29 Super Tucano aircraft would be manufactured in Florida in partnership with an American firm, after winning a prolonged competition with US rival Hawker Beechcraft Corp.
US forces are due to withdraw from Afghanistan next year, leaving the Afghan military to continue the fight against Taliban rebels, and Washington is racing to train and equip its lightly-armed allies for the battle ahead.
“The A-29 Super Tucano with its proven track record is exactly what’s needed,” said Taco Gilbert, a vice-president of Embraer’s US partner in the contract, the Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC)
The propeller-driven Super Tucano comes in single and two-seated versions that can be equipped with a machinegun and a variety of bombs and missiles, in a ground attack or reconnaissance role.
Embraer and Sierra Nevada were initially awarded a $355 million contract for the planes in December 2011, but the US Air Force called off the deal two months later after a legal challenge from rival Hawker Beechcraft.
Armament of Super Tunaco---
Guns:
Internal: (2x) 12.7 mm (0.50 in) 950 rounds per minute FN Herstal M3P machine guns in wings.
pod: (1x) 20 mm (0.79 in) 650 rounds per minute GIAT M20A1 cannon below the fuselage.
pod: (1x) 12.7 mm (0.50 in) FN Herstal HMP for M3P machine gun.
pod: (4x) 7.62 mm (0.30 in) 3,000 rounds per minute Dillon Aero M134 Minigun (under development).
Hardpoints: 5 (two under each wing and one under fuselage centreline) with a capacity of 1,550 kg (3,300 lb)
Rockets:
(4x) pods 70 mm (2.75 in) LM-70/19(SBAT-70[147]
(4x) pods 70 mm (2.75 in) LAU-68A/G
Missiles:
Air-to-air:
AIM-9L Siderwinder
MAA-1A Piranha
MAA-1B Piranha (under development)
Python 3
Python 4
Air-to-ground:
AGM-65 Maverick
Bombs:
General-purpose bombs:
(10x) Mk 81
(5x) Mk 82
M-117
Incendiary bombs:
BINC-300
Cluster bombs:
BLG-252
Precision-guided bombs:
SMKB-82 (under development) – Mectron/Britanite INS/GPS guidance kit for Mk 82.
GBU-54 (under development)
GBU-38 (under development)
GBU-39 (under development)
Paveway II
Lizard – Elbit laser guidance kit.
Griffin – IAI laser guidance kit.
Others:
Chaff & Flare (countermeasures)
FLIR AN/AAQ-22 Star SAFIRE II (Electro-Optical/Infrared Sensors)
Thats a very important decision for ANA.this will multiply their capability to fight against Taliban by increasing their CAS capability.Congrats Afghan brothers..
