Posted on 05/12/2011 6:04:24 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Pentagon's Light Attack Plane Competition Has Large Implications
(Source: Lexington Institute; issued May 11, 2011)
(© Lexington Institute; reproduced by permission)
The Air Force is planning to buy a "light attack and armed reconnaissance" aircraft for use by U.S. and foreign pilots in counter-insurgency warfare. At about $10 million per plane, it's probably the cheapest combat aircraft the service will buy in this century -- which is one reason why few politicians or pundits are paying attention.
But the competition to select a winning aircraft raises broader questions about the way the military buys weapons, and in particular whether Pentagon policymakers grasp the seriousness of America's recent economic slide.
There are only two credible contenders for the contract: an American plane made by Hawker Beechcraft designated the AT-6, and a Brazilian plane made by Embraer designated the EMB-314. They're both propeller driven, multi-mission aircraft, and their price-tags are similar. But because the Beechcraft offering would be developed and assembled in America, it would generate over 1,000 jobs here. The Brazilian plane would be developed elsewhere, and final assembly in the U.S. would probably generate less than a hundred jobs.
So here's the obvious question: why would the military of a country running the biggest budget and trade deficits in history consider buying a new light fighter from a foreign maker when there's a perfectly good plane already available from domestic sources?
We know the American offering works fine, because the same airframe has been used by the Air Force and Navy for training pilots over the past ten years, and hundreds of them are operated out of six domestic locations. That probably makes the American plane the most cost-effective entrant in the competition, since there is already a training and maintenance infrastructure in place and pilots understand the plane well.
But the fact the Air Force is even entertaining a bid from Brazil tells us that this Pentagon is out of touch with economic realities. Let's set aside the fact Brazil's government often disagrees with U.S. defense policies in places like Iran and Venezuela, and try to ignore the provision in Embraer's bylaws allowing that government to cut off the flow of spare parts and supplies if it doesn't like the way the plane is being used somewhere.
Instead, consider what has happened to America's economy over the last ten years. On the morning of 9-11, the United States was generating 32 percent of all global economic output. Today it has fallen to 23 percent, and if Congress refuses to raise the debt limit it would decline even further to 20 percent of global output, because federal borrowing currently exceeds 10 percent of gross domestic product.
Is this the profile of a country that can afford to pass up a thousand new jobs and buy overseas just because some state-influenced foreign company might offer it a marginally better deal on a military turboprop? I don't think so! The U.S. Air Force needs to start thinking more clearly about its responsibilities to taxpayers during a period of great fiscal and economic danger. Maybe that means cutting the amount of money we spend on fighting other countries' wars.
At the very least, though, it means buying American-made aircraft whenever a suitable product is available to meet military needs. That's what China does -- it buys from Chinese sources whenever possible -- and right now it's rising about as fast as America is receding. Whatever kind of "deal" the Air Force thinks it might be able to get from Brazil, it's a net loss for America if we don't buy the U.S. plane.
-ends-
Obvious question: with UAVs, why do we need this plane...other than to put pilots at risk?
Obama will fix this to be awarded to Brazil, especially if Beechcraft plans to assemble them in South Carolina.
BULL SH*T! The domestic plane is still in development. The Super Tocano is a combat proven design actually in service with foreign air forces.
I want our guys to have the best available for the best cost. Sometimes, it will come from foreign sources.
I am tired of this protectionist crap.
Already taken care of:
The U.S. is going to lend billions of dollars to Brazil's state-owned oil company, Petrobras, to finance exploration of the huge offshore discovery in Brazil's Tupi oil field in the Santos Basin near Rio de Janeiro. Brazil's planning minister confirmed that White House National Security Adviser James Jones met this month [August 2009] with Brazilian officials to talk about the loan. - Wall Steet Journal
Too bad we crushed all those P-51’s. Looks like we could have up graded them and saved a bundle. Then again, those Douglas Sky Raiders could do the job too.
I’d think AirTractor could be potential contender, but I suspect that the adminsitration would make sure that no company based it Texas would ever have a shot at it.
Beat me by one minute!
The Sandy is the perfect aircraft for this mission. The A-10 is almost as good, but could be fielded in many other roles.
i have to agree...a heavily armed UAV could loiter over the battlefield with zero risk except to your ego.
also dont they have the a-10 warthog...which personally i find the coolest aircraft in the universe...but then again thats just me...(or was that cancelled?)
So the OV-10X Bronco is no longer in consideration?
tactical fixed wing [intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance] platform to provide expeditionary, organic Find/Fix/Finish operations for SOF Forces in a maneuverable, long range, low heat signature platform
Hobo 51
Wait a minute - the T-6 Texas II has been on the flightline at Randolph AFB for close to 10 years. Why do you say it’s still in development? There’s not a whole lot Beech needs to do in order to modify the trainer version for combat, because the original design contemplated this role 15 years ago.
BTW, the pilots who fly the T-6 love it, especially after they modified the controls so the fuel shutoff valve doesn’t accidentally get engaged...
Colonel, USAFR
A 1,600 SHP Pratt & Whitney PT6A-68/3 turboprop engine that incorporates FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) and EICAS (Engine Indication and Crew Alerting System) powers the [Super Tocano].
The author neglected to mention he has been retained by Lockheed/Martin, which is Hawker Beech’s partner in the AT-6 program.
Full, real-time, 360 degree 3-D, situational awareness.
Sensor capabilities are considerable and improving. But you can never fully replace the eyes and mind of a pilot IN the context of the battlefield. Especially when you’re supporting troops on the ground in a fluid battle-scape.
MHO
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