Hawker Beechcraft's AT-6
Brazil Embraer's Super Tucano
Posted on 11/21/2011 1:38:46 PM PST by Jeff Head
The Obama Administration has notified Hawker Beechcraft Corp. that its Beechcraft AT-6 has been excluded from competition to build a light attack aircraft, a contract worth nearly $1 billion, the company said.
The company had hoped to its AT-6, an armed version of its T-6 trainer, would be chosen for the Light Air Support Counter Insurgency aircraft for the Afghanistan National Army Corps. The chosen aircraft also would be used as a light attack armed reconnaissance aircraft for the U.S. Air Force.
The piston planes are designed for counterinsurgency, close air support, armed overwatch and homeland security, The Wichita Eagle reported (http://bit.ly/ud7FDM).
Hawker Beechcraft officials said in a news release that they were "confounded and troubled" by the Air Force's decision. The company said it is asking the Air Force for an explanation and will explore all options.
The decision appears to favor the Super Tucano built by Brazil's Embraer for the initial contract to supply 35 with the potential for 55 aircraft worth up to $950?million, which does not include foreign sales, the Eagle reported.
Brazil's Embraer aircraft company build's milit ary aircraft for Iran.
The Beechcraft T-6 production line employs a total of 1400 people in 20 states.
Obama can’t buy anything without money being appropriated by congress. Seems like I remember the republicans running on the promise that since they control the purse strings....mmmm. Guess they forgot.
The AT-6 represents a spiral development of the T-6 which Beechcraft has already built over 600 of. There’s a huge logistics support apparatus already in place, and the Air Force’s T-6 and the US Navy’s T-6B means that getting people up to speed on this aircraft will be straight forward.
In addition, as opposed to license kits shipped here for assembly from Brazil (who has, IMHO, uncomfortable ties to iran) the development, manufacture, and support pipeline are all under our control here in the US.
I think this is an award that Beechcraft should protest and may be able to get turned around.
Pleaaasssseeee, Sir!
There, 40 years ago I was on ComServGru3 staff in Sasebo with an Admiral across the hall so I still know how to say sir.
But, come on, our generals and admirals today, with few exceptions, put their own personal career first! The last general I know to butt heads with political appointees or the Prez was McArthur and possibly McCrystal although I don’t have enough facts to come to that conclusion on him. Yeah, I know they both got fired. But, that’s my point! And, let’s not forget, god bless him, Colonel Lakin. Like our civilian politicians, our military, at the very top, are not, for the most part, living up to their oath to protect and defend the constitution or even just do what is right!
Finally, the recently departed Mullen just makes me ill with all that he has caved on. My son had 3 years at MMA in Harlingen and 4 years at Texas A & M in the Corp and we were both so sickened by our country’s leadership that he decided, and I supported, him passing on military service and going straight into civilian work. And, don’t get me started on ROE’s................for god sake!
The Hawker Beechcraft is still in development. It's a shame as I have always had an affection for Beechcraft as the Twin Beech was the first multi engine aircraft in which I was rated.
Where did you read this? Last I heard, the Jacksonville factory would be a full fledged production facility with 70% of all parts made in the US, not just a knockdown kit assembly plant.
They could "Occupy Something". That's what the cool kids who want jobs provided do these days.
“BACKGROUND AND REQUIREMENTS: LAS aircraft must be a non-developmental item (NDI) that is production-ready. No development or testing funds are available. ” Introduction of LAS Solicitation FA8615-10-R-6088”
The Beech press release states that it has spent 100 million to develop the craft - it is not done yet.
Embraer estimated that it spent under $50,000 to fly the aircraft to the test site, fly the test missions and then return to Brazil.
Since RFP paper work is constant among competitors the accurate ratio of $100 Million to $50,000 says it all. Additionally, the $100 mil was US taxpayer dollars, and the $50,000 was at the Super Tucano’s teams risk funding.
The A-29 Super Tucano will be proudly built in Jacksonville, Fla., with parts and services from more than 70 U.S. companies in 21 states.
This contract will immediately support the creation of at least 50 new jobs on the final assembly line in Jacksonville, and will help support at least 1,200 more jobs across America. Some 60 U.S. companies will supply components that will go into the Super T or services related to the LAS contract.
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), the contract lead, currently employs more than 2,100 people at 29 locations in 15 states. Embraer North America has been in the United States for over 30 years, and employs 800 people in Florida; Arizona; Tennessee; Minnesota; and Connecticut. The company recently opened a new executive jet production facility in Melbourne that is creating 200 new jobs. The Jacksonville facility will augment this ongoing U.S. production.
Embraer is the world’s third-largest aircraft manufacturer and sources a majority of its component parts – across all business lines – from the United States. More than 7,000 U.S. jobs are supported as a result of Embraer’s component purchases
http://builtforthemission.com/american-made.php
Slightly more capable than a junkers Stuka, much less capable that a P-47 Thunderbolt or a Corsair. Outclassed by a Skyraider,, really embarrassed by a digital turboprop Skyraider.
Rendered a joke by a Warthog.
I saw where they said they would assemle the aircraft in Jacksonville.
Now I am reading where something like 60 US companies would provide parts to that assembly line.
That’s fine if those parts all stay in the US.
My principle concern howerver is the fact that you have Brazil providing military aircraft (in fact 40 of the older Tucano’s) to Iran, and more recently cozing up to Ian and helping them with their nuclear program and dealings with Turkey.
To have the aircraft that our allies will use to fight with designed and provided to the US by a country that is working with one of the principle potential enemies of those allies, IRan, does not make any sense.
I have also heard that there is talk of a potential tie between the award of this contract and the Brazilians looking harder at the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet for their new FX-2 fighter. Now that is starting to sound like the political leverage the Brazilians are wielding.
Just the same, my concerns over the use of aircraft by our allies from a source growing close to the very enemies thay may have to face is not a good thing.
Why do you say that the money Beech invested is taxpayer money? Beech is not owned or operated by the Government. They invest in deals in the hopes of recouping the investment through production.
Anyhow, it will be interesting to see how this goes. lots of politics (as usual) on both sides of the coin.
Exactamundo. Most people don’t understand that procured items will be built in the US.
The service needs it now, buy who makes it now.
Thanks for clarifying.
Right you are. Soros has a major shareholding in Harbin-Embraer, the Chinese subsidiary of Embraer.
Winning!
; ^ ]
Who knew that my mortgage company was invested in our foreign competition? I'll have to mention it to them if I default on our house. Tit for tat.
I was told that when a journalist refuses to let anybody in industry review their writing before they publish it, that stupid errors like calling a turbine engine a recip' is evidence of their great journalistic integrity. But to me it still comes across as stupid arrogance and the whole idea of journalistic integrity is laughable.
More money to Brazil. First he ogles a Brazilian teen, then he helps Soros and Brazillian Oil, now defense contracts. Does he actually know what country he is supposed to work for?
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