[Regulator]

The Tucano is a not a "prop" airplane like they imply.

As most people here know it is a Turboprop, i.e., a gas turbine powered aircraft. A jet engine with a prop out front, what one might call an "extremely high bypass ratio" fanjet.

Turboprops are efficient, reliable and fast. The Russian TU-95 Bear was a good example of the turboprop exploited to it's utmost.

So the good general is doing his job: he's explaining that sex appeal doesn't always win wars, the right tool for the job does.

And as the U.S. Air Force learned with the A-10, the A4-Skyraider, and other COIN aircraft ( OV-10 Bronco being my favorite ), ugly may be ugly, but it often wins.

[phormer phrog phlyer]

I read recently that there is interest in bringing back the OV-10. In the right environments these type of aircraft work out just fine.

[myknowledge]

Raytheon / Hawker Beechcraft AT-6 Texan II.

Boeing OV-10X Super Bronco

[RaceBannon]

I think an A-10 type aircraft would be invaluable for long term ground operations!

I also wonder why we dont have an airborne missile system for coastal defense against anything, you can put a fairly large missile inside a 747 or DC-10 with an awsome range for standoff capability, and many of those missiles, too

I think something like that off Iran with medium range missiles from the air to defend against small craft would be awsome. :)

[mad_as_he$$]

I have thought for sometime now that a company could clean up by developing the grandson of the A-10. Relatively cheap, flexible and easy to maintain. Huge market for the the current world situation. The Russians have tried with some models but their stuff sucks so bad no one but India buys it,