U.S. Military Chooses New Light Attack War Plane

The New War-Bird

In a Fly-Off to see which plane would become the U.S. Military’s new Light Attack War-Bird, The EMB Super Tucano and the AT-6 Wolverine went head to head to show us what they got. After impressive flying and displaying combat skills, it appears the EMB 314 Super Tucano will win the bid to be the new “Light Attack Aircraft” as of 2019. The Sierra Nevada aircraft company was awarded the $1.5 billion dollar US Contract indefinitely. The company was “awarded a ceiling $1,808,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity contract for potential procurement, sustainment, modifications, ferry, and related equipment for the A-29,”

The warbirds main purpose will be to perform in small, quick, intermediate counter-insurgency mission. This will be to further assist our efforts in Afghanistan, while greatly reducing cost in the aircraft department as the F22 Raptor cost around $339 Million dollars each to produce. The a-29’s will be produced in Jacksonville, FL and at the U.S. Kabul base as well.

What can she do?

According to Air Force Officials: A-29s are turboprop planes armed with one 20mm cannon below the fuselage able to shoot 650 rounds per minute, one 12.7mm machine gun (FN Herstal) under each wing and up to four 7.62mm Dillion Aero M134 Miniguns able to shoot up to 3,000 rounds per minute. Super Tucanos are also equipped with 70mm rockets, air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-9L Sidewinder, air-to-ground weapons such as the AGM-65 Maverick and precision-guided bombs. It can also use a laser rangefinder and laser-guided weapons. The Super Tucano is a highly maneuverable light attack aircraft able to operate in high temperatures and rugged terrain. It is 11.38 meters long and has a wingspan of 11.14 meters; its maximum take-off weight is 5,400 kilograms. The aircraft has a combat radius of 300 nautical miles, can reach speeds up to 367 mph and hits ranges up to 720 nautical miles. It’s main purpose and functions are as follows:

– Basic Surface Attack – Assess impact accuracy using hit/miss criteria of practice/laser-guided bomb, and unguided/guided rockets
– Close Air Support (CAS) – Assess ability to find, fix, track target and engage simulated operational targets while communicating with the Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC)
– Daytime Ground Assault Force (GAF) – assess aircraft endurance, range, ability to communicate with ground forces through unsecure and secure radio and receive tactical updates
– Rescue Escort (RESCORT) – Assess pilot workload to operate with a helicopter, receive area updates and targeting data, employ ballistic, unguided/guided rockets and laser-guided munitions
– Night CAS – Assess pilot workload to find, fix, track, target and engage operational targets

Summary

I think this is a great new way of conserving our military budget and allocating the funds into other much needed areas of the department. Because we have become so advanced and superior with our aircrafts, most of their functions could be considered “overkill” and not necessarily the most efficient. Additionally, I just love the old “Warbird” style aircrafts and glad to see they can still be utilized in this day and age. Would love to get a chance to see one up close!