The US Air Force has issued a request for information to identify sources that can supply 100 new fighters to perform light attack and armed reconnaissance roles.
Air Combat Command released a request for information on July 27 that calls for first aircraft deliveries to start in Fiscal 2012 and the first operational squadron to activate a year later.
The requirements call for a two-seat turboprop capable of flying up to 30,000ft and equipped with zero-altitude/zero-airspeed ejection seats, full motion video camera, data link, infrared suppressor, radar warning receiver and armored cockpit. Weapons must include a gun, two 500-lb bombs, 2.75-inch rockets and rail-launched munitions.
The known for competitors for the requirement include the Air Tractor AT-802U, Embraer Super Tucano, Hawker Beechcraft AT-6B Texan II and Pilatus PC-9.
Michel Merluzeau, managing partner at G2 Global Solutions, wrote earlier this week new demand for counter-insurgency (COIN) aircraft could revive interest in the Piper PA-48 Enforcer (pictured above). The PA-48 is an updated version of the World War II-era North American P-51 Mustang, which the USAF evaluated in the early 1970s for a possible COIN role. One potential issue is the PA-48 would not meet the USAF's requirement for a two-seat fighter.
The light attack/armed reconnaissance fleet, if finally approved, would join a growing COIN air force within an air force. The USAF has already purchased 37 Hawker Beechcraft MC-12Ws to serve as manned intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, filling a role previously served almost exclusively by unmanned aircraft systems.
The USAF also released another RFI earlier this week for as many as 60 light mobility aircraft (LiMA) to airlift up to six passengers or small loads of cargo from austere or unimproved surfaces.
(h/t: Thanks, Otto!)
on July 31, 2009 3:01 PM | Reply
A-67 Dragon, welcome to the party...
on July 31, 2009 3:11 PM | Reply
I'll be very surprised if this makes it through to contract. The USAF's procurement budget is getting slashed at a time when required funding for tankers, the F-35, and other programs remains the same. The AT-6 is still a $10 million aircraft and will add another set of support requirements to the fleet. So you're talking about a billion plus dollars for a fleet of aircraft of a type the USAF leadership has poo-pooed publicly in the past.
on July 31, 2009 3:14 PM | Reply
Bah humbug, Royce! :-) Sadly, I think you raise an excellent point. I will say that it helps a great deal that Gen Schwartz is the one who is driving this. After he leaves in 2 or 3 years support for this program would be a very open question.
on July 31, 2009 3:22 PM | Reply
Nah,
They can find the money, someone has probably looked at the F-35 and then look at utilization rates from Iraq.......It will be sold as a Zumwalt style hi-lo mix. But, it will be done to protect the F-35.
Where is the Fighter Mafia?
on July 31, 2009 5:00 PM | Reply
I guess there's no interest in bringing back some modernized Broncos. It's a shame, because a Bronco with the nose from an AH-1Z and a couple of Miniguns replacing the M60s in the sponsons would be a doozy.
on July 31, 2009 5:08 PM | Reply
Wonder if the OV-10 Bronco machinery is still about.
on July 31, 2009 10:46 PM | Reply
Hey Stephen,
Great article. If you don't think this will get picked up, what do you think is the next step?
on August 1, 2009 3:29 AM | Reply
It is unfortunate that they don't consider some kind of new-build OV-10. Much more versatile and can when needed, shoot up dirt insurges.
on August 1, 2009 7:41 PM | Reply
Stephen and others,
you seem to forget three little words: Air National Guard. As the ANG aircraft force is cut, one sure way to replace those aircraft include the MC-12 Liberty's, the below mentioned light mobility aircraft, and these light attack aircraft. I have no clue where they intend to station all of these new aircraft but you can bet there will be some major jockeying by the various state Guard bureaus.
I think one possible scenario is a combined irregular wing on active duty with a squadron of light attack (~25 a/c), a squadron of light mobility (~20) and the yet to be (officially) requested light helo's, then add some of the MC-12's when they come home. The rest of the a/c would be in Guard squadrons, around 20-25 per unit.
There is a synergy to look at active/reserve component, especially when you throw in state governors and their congressional delegations. Finally, building airplanes like these, is pretty close to shover ready, especially those companies that have a/c in hot production lines.