[sukhoi-30mki]

[Tucker39]

O.K. Was it REALLY built here or in Brazil?

[rdcbn]

They need to get cracking on those things- al Qaeda eagerly awaits it's new air force

[Repeal The 17th]

Let me see if I’ve got this straight.
The U.S. taxpayers have borrowed about $500 million from the Chinese,
and given it to a Brazilian corporation to build 20 of these planes,
so that we can turn around and give them to the Afghan Air Force.
Is that about it?

[PGR88]

As the first Super Tucano built in the United States, this plane is one of 20 ordered in the original Air Force contract for $427 million.

The P-51 Mustang cost $50,000 in 1945 dollars, which if you believe Government statistics, is about $650,000 today. According to the specs of each, the top speed of a P-51 is about 465 mph, while this "Super Tacano" is 368 mph.

Why not just build more P-51's and upgrade the avionics????

[C19fan]

this plane is one of 20 ordered in the original Air Force contract for $427 million.

Does the price include maintenance and support because that works out to over $21 MM per plane? No way a turbo prop should be that expensive. I bet you can go around Russia and find 20 IL-2 Sturmoviks in decent shape, the Soviets made over 40 K of those during WW II, and rehabilitate them for service. I bet the total cost would be $21 MM. I know for sure a refurbished IL-2 would be more much effective plane than this glorified Cessena.

[Haiku Guy]

I am sure it is a fine plane. But how in the Hell do you spend $25,000,000 to build one?

How much does Brazil pay for them?

[lurk]

Sort of a blend of the P51 and the A1 Skyraider. Shows you that those designs were good ideas so long ago.

Seems like existing platforms could have been modified for a whole lot less.

[PTBAA]

Bring back the Douglas A-1 Skyraider!

[Popman]

Wait....427 million for 20 prop driven planes?

I will admit I am not knowledgeable in the field...but that seems like a lot per plane...

Light air support for Afghanistan ?

What to protect the poppy fields?

[Parmy]

Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano
Counter-insurgency
The Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, also named ALX or A-29 is a turboprop aircraft designed for light attack, counter insurgency, close air support, aerial reconnaissance missions in low threat environments, as well as providing pilot training. Wikipedia
Top speed: 368 mph (593 km/h)
Range: 2,995 miles (4,820 km)
Weight: 7,055 lbs (3,200 kg)
Wingspan: 37’ (11 m)
Unit cost: 9,000,000–14,000,000 USD (2011)
Manufacturer: Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica
Engine type: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6

[skinkinthegrass]

Thanks, for the post.Avation ping!