The shortlist sees the privately funded twin-jet Textron AirLand Scorpion drop out of the running for a potential follow-on acquisition of aircraft. The three aircraft types had been undergoing operationally-representative trials in recent months from Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona. The light-attack concept is designed to offer a robust close air support capability at a fraction of the cost of larger jet fighters.
“This effort to find a lower-cost and exportable aircraft for permissive environments is directly in line with the National Defense Strategy,”USAF chief of staff Gen David Goldfein said in a statement.
“A light-attack aircraft would not only provide relief to our fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft, but also bolster our interoperability, so we can more effectively employ airpower as an international team.”
“Rather than do a combat demonstration, we have decided to work closely with industry to experiment with maintenance, data networking and sensors with the two most promising light attack aircraft, the AT-6 Wolverine and the A-29 Super Tucano,” USAF Secretary Heather Wilson said in a statement. “This will let us gather the data needed for a rapid procurement.”
The AT-6 is an armed development of the T-6C Texan II advanced trainer, while the A-29 is developed from the Super Tucano trainer. Both aircraft are fitted with underwing stores stations, sensors such as FLIR turrets, and additional cockpit armour protection.
The A-29 has already been acquired through a US foreign military aid package for Afghanistan.
