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Who Are Contenders For OA-X Light-Attack Demo?

Mar 22, 2017

Lara Seligman | Aviation Week & Space Technology

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  A-29 Super Tucano (Embraer and Sierra Nevada Corp.)

  This turboprop light-attack aircraft is designed for counterinsurgency, close air support and aerial reconnaissance missions in low-threat environments. Designed to operate in high temperatures and extremely rugged terrain, the A-29 is highly maneuverable and has a low heat signature. It is in service with the Brazilian, Colombian, Chilean, Dominican and Ecuadorian air forces as well as the Afghan air force. The first of 30 Afghan A-29 pilots have graduated from training at Moody AFB, Georgia, and returned to Afghanistan. The full fleet of 20 A-29s will be in place by 2018.

  Max. Speed: 367 mph
  Combat Radius: 300 nm fully loaded
  Endurance: 8 hr. 24 min.
  Fuel Capacity: 3,300 lb.
  Hard Points: 5 external, 2 under each wing, 1 under centerline fuselage

  Photo:

  
  

  Colombian air force

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The U.S. Air Force will take its first step toward potentially fielding a low-cost, light-attack aircraft this summer with a flight demonstration at Holloman AFB, New Mexico. The service is looking to choose up to four industry partners to bring one or two off-the-shelf aircraft to Holloman for a capability assessment in which Air Force aircrew will evaluate each aircraft’s ability to perform light attack and armed reconnaissance missions and operate from austere locations.

For industry, the stakes are high—the selected designs will likely have an advantage if the Air Force moves forward with a 300-aircraft buy. Since affordability is a main driver, Embraer and Sierra Nevada Corp.’s A-29 Super Tucano is an obvious front-runner. Already in service with the Afghan air force through the U.S. Light Air Support (LAS) program, the turboprop is a proven asset, with historically low operating costs.

Textron also has a shot, with either its turboprop AT-6 Wolverine or light jet Scorpion. However, the AT-6 lost out to the A-29 in the 2011 LAS competition. Meanwhile, the Scorpion has never quite found its niche. Its performance is not up to par with most true fighters, and its reported $3,000-per-hour operating costs might be too expensive for an OA-X capability.

Other less obvious options will likely start appearing as the OA-X effort gains traction. Here is a look at some of the possibilities.