Embraer's A-29 Super Tucano has won the US Air Force's Light Air Support contract to supply Afghanistan with an initial batch of 20 aircraft. But compared to the last go-around for this tender (it was originally awarded in December 2011, before Beechcraft protested and sued); the cost is about 20% higher.
My colleague Steve Trimble and I have been looking over the numbers. The only difference immediately apparent is that the new contract adds a "basic aviation training device". That could explain a small part of the difference, but it is very difficult to believe that would raise the cost by 20%.
So we are left with a few possibilities. There could be an increase in the scope of the work being performed for things like interim contract support, etc. It could simply be inflation. Or, perhaps Sierra Nevada/Embraer, feeling more confident of victory, had a higher asking price or the USAF was feeling more generous (doubtful). It could also be a combination of all of those factors or something else entirely.
December 2011:
Contract number: FA8637-12-D-6001
Announced: 30 December 2011
Award: $355,126,541
Work complete: 30 April 2014
LAS: 20
MPS: 6
MDS: 6
Computer-based ground training device: 1
Flight training device: 1
Basic aviation training device: 0
LAS certification: Yes
Interim contract support: Yes
Base activation: Yes
Work split: Sparks, Nevada (55%)/Jacksonville, Florida (45%)
February 2013:
Contract number: FA8637 13 D 6003
Announced: 27 February 2013
Award: $427,459,708
Work complete: April 2015
LAS: 20
MPS: 6
MDS: 6
Computer-based training device: 1
Flight training device: 1
Basic aviation training device: 1
LAS certification: Yes
Interim contract support: Yes
Base activation: Yes
Site surveys: Yes
Work split: None provided
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