US chooses Super Tucano for Afghan Air Force

[Lankan Ranger]

US chooses Super Tucano for Afghan Air Force

Sierra Nevada Corporation has been awarded a USD950 million fixed-price contract for the US Air Force's (USAF's) Light Air Support (LAS) aircraft programme, the Pentagon announced on 30 December.

Sierra Nevada teamed with Embraer to offer the A-29 Super Tucano following a request for proposals (RfP) issued by the USAF in October 2010 for 20 LAS aircraft to be used by the Afghan Air Force (AAF) and 15 more for USAF use.

The contract, which includes mission planning systems and ground training devices, is for the 20 aircraft designated for the AAF. According to congressional aides, support is low among lawmakers for the funding of the 15 aircraft for the USAF. Senior USAF officials have also indicated that this portion of the programme could be cancelled.

Lockheed Martin and Hawker Beechcraft had previously offered the USAF the AT-6B Texan II, but the USAF eliminated the aircraft from consideration in November 2011.

US chooses Super Tucano for Afghan Air Force

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[sss112]

Would be helpful in Close Air Support role....
Good choice.

 

[jamal18]

$950 million dollars for 35 propellar driven aircraft?

No wonder the US has a financial crisis!

 

[Donatello]

So Afghan airforce will start from WW II era.....hmm

 

[somebozo]

Afghanis better sell this junk and go for JF17 from Pakistan-China...no point starting from WW2 era..or wait..this is another US tactic of debt saddling Afghanistan.

 

[Safriz]

These may be just the trainer aircrafts...the main stay would be something else...The Afghans did use to fly Migs,and had quite a few bashes with PAF.
Probably some jet planes will be induced later...

 

[asianamerican]

LOL...The US now runs Afghanistan. The Afghanistan will be now work to serve American corporation and buy whatever American tells them to buy. Amerikkkan democrazy in action