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Small Weapons for Light Fighters
Defense Update ^ | 10/12/2011

Posted on 10/12/2011 9:15:11 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki

Small Weapons for Light Fighters

In the recent weapon test campaign AT-6 completed firing of 2.75” unguided rockets, conducted captive carry test with guided 2.75" rockets and dropped general purpose bombs, four GBU-12, and four GBU-58 laser guided bombs (LGB - above), all LGBs scored direct hits. Additional tests are planned with other weapon types including Raytheon Griffin 35-lb. GPS/laser-guided bomb and Hellfire guided missile from Lockheed martin..

Under the U.S. Air National Guard evaluation of a future Light Attack and Armed Reconnaissance (LAAR) to be operated by the U.S. and Afghan air forces, the Air Force is seeking a low cost, light fighter capable of flying at altitudes up to 30,000 ft. above sea level, with a range up to 900 nautical miles, and mission endurance of six hours.

LAAR is positioned as an affordable, advanced training, light attack and armed reconnaissance aircraft that could meet the U.S. government plans to equip under-developed governments with effective aerial recce and attack capabilities necessary for combatting insurgency and drug trafficking. While providing effective, precision attack and real-time recce, the aircraft should affordable to own and operate and be able to operate from austere fields. Deliveries of such aircraft would often be considered as ‘training aircraft’, while combat operations could be flown by local trainees or,when necessary, by their foreign ‘trainers’, assisting government counter-insurgency operations.

As part of these evaluations the Brazilian Embraer A-29 Super Tucano and Hawker Beechcraft Defense Company (HBDC) AT-6 are undergoing weapon qualification and operational evaluation Currently undergoing operational assessment by the Air National Guard/Air Force Reserve Test Center (AATC), toward a final selection next month. Embraer has prepared its position in the U.S. by teaming with the California based

(Excerpt) Read more at defense-update.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: aerospace; coin; embraer; hawkerbeechcraft
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To: sukhoi-30mki
All that is old is new again.

Douglas A-1 Skyraider

21 posted on 10/13/2011 4:05:07 AM PDT by SnuffaBolshevik ("The trouble with internet quotations is that you don't know if they are true"-Abraham Lincoln.)
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To: USNBandit

“War Fighters”?
What yuppie, never been in combat before idiot, made up that term?
What was wrong with servicemen or just GIs?


22 posted on 10/13/2011 4:34:37 AM PDT by BuffaloJack (Defeat Obama. End Obama's War On Freedom.)
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To: donmeaker

lol...


23 posted on 10/13/2011 4:51:08 AM PDT by sit-rep
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To: BuffaloJack

Sorry, why don’t we call them end users. The guys that need the plane for combat operations right now have to wait so Beech can get its collective feces in one sock.


24 posted on 10/13/2011 9:15:14 AM PDT by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
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To: JRandomFreeper

depends on the manufacturer, I work on Pilatus and our mini takes 2 shifts, a phase 5 about 3 days. 6 minis and 6 phases are spread over 1200hrs of flight or 1 year. The military can adjust things if they need to since they are not limited to following the FAA rules


25 posted on 10/13/2011 3:28:56 PM PDT by lowflyn (Im nobody, just ask a liberal)
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To: lowflyn
That's still a pretty light touch for an aircraft with those capabilities.

Compared to say, an F-4 Phantom. That dog took over an hour of maintenance per flight hour.

And they are much cheaper, as well. And meet the needs of the task at hand.

/johnny

26 posted on 10/13/2011 3:39:11 PM PDT by JRandomFreeper (gone Galt)
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To: SnuffaBolshevik
All that is old is new again.

The Douglas did yoeman's work during VN. But it was a radial. And you had a whole lot less engine automation with it, than you do a turboprop that can sip the JP-4.

Reduced workload on the new ACs is a big plus, in my book.

/johnny

27 posted on 10/13/2011 3:43:02 PM PDT by JRandomFreeper (gone Galt)
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To: JRandomFreeper

Give the warfighters what they need and get the politicians out of the way.


28 posted on 10/13/2011 5:00:27 PM PDT by lowflyn (Im nobody, just ask a liberal)
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To: lowflyn
I'd love to, and our guys deserve it. I worry more about the grunts on the ground, being supported, than the zoomies doing the supporting. I know AF Pilots, they'll be ok, their ego protects them. ;)

But we do have to put up with the politicos (политрук) because they are part of our world.

And in the US, civilian politicians control the military.

Personally, I think they would be better used decorating lamp posts in city streets, but we're not there yet.

/johnny

29 posted on 10/13/2011 5:33:54 PM PDT by JRandomFreeper (gone Galt)
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To: JRandomFreeper

I find it amazing that the military can say “this is exactly what we need and now” and the politicians can force feet dragging because the item is not made in his district. Save lives first, help your constituants second in this case.
This aircraft is some thing the air force would love to have to support the troops, and if this is to sell to other countries ie Afganistan, then who cares were it is built.


30 posted on 10/13/2011 5:38:50 PM PDT by lowflyn (Im nobody, just ask a liberal)
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