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Air Force “light attack” test aircraft crashes on bomb range, killing pilot
On June 22, an A-29 Super Tucano participating in the US Air Force's Light Attack Experiment (OA-X) program crashed while flying over the Red Rio Bombing Range—part of the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. US Navy Lt. Christopher Carey Short, from Canandaigua, New York, died in the crash. Another pilot ejected and suffered only minor injuries. The Super Tucano, a joint entry into the OA-X program by Brazil's Embraer and Sierra Nevada Corporation, is one of two aircraft designs… (arstechnica.com) Altro...
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Thank you sir. R.I.P.
Sad news. This aircraft looks like a P-51 Mustang on Steroids
Take an A-10 and build new ones. It works. The design is good. The pilots love it. Don't fix it if it ain't broken. Hate to see lose of life.
Sharon, I agree that the A-10 is an exceptionally capable CAS aircraft. It performs well when subject to enemy air defense engagements, able to absorb much hostile fire and safety RTB.
From the article, the USAF Light Attack Experiment (terrible name IMO) is looking for low cost alternative platforms for CAS and Recce missions in combat and Counterinsurgency operations in "uncontested environments" (i.e. no enemy air defense capabilities). A-29 is not intended for operating in areas with an operational air defense umbrella where the A-10 is stellar. For use in backwater COIN Ops and low intensity conflicts, the logistical support footprint of the A-29 should be significantly smaller.
Hopefully, the evaluation process will present unvarnished data and recomendations based on that data, not forcing the data to support a desired outcome.
From the article, the USAF Light Attack Experiment (terrible name IMO) is looking for low cost alternative platforms for CAS and Recce missions in combat and Counterinsurgency operations in "uncontested environments" (i.e. no enemy air defense capabilities). A-29 is not intended for operating in areas with an operational air defense umbrella where the A-10 is stellar. For use in backwater COIN Ops and low intensity conflicts, the logistical support footprint of the A-29 should be significantly smaller.
Hopefully, the evaluation process will present unvarnished data and recomendations based on that data, not forcing the data to support a desired outcome.
That sounds like reinventing the OV-10 Bronco.
Several of them are currently flying over some California fires leading and controlling the air tankers. Another 'obsolete' workhorse.
Several of them are currently flying over some California fires leading and controlling the air tankers. Another 'obsolete' workhorse.
Another failed preemption!
