The Air Force might be getting a new toy.

https://www.dodbuzz.com/2017/11/08/...acebook&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

I still like the A10 though, but if this is better, then by all means go for it.

 

My antivirus is blocking me from the article.

 

Google Textron Aviation Beechcraft AT-6 experimental aircraft for the story.

 

me too



Russia's has been around for years...Frogfoot

 

I pulled it off my Facebook page.

Textron Aviation Beechcraft AT-6 experimental aircraft.

 

Key lawmakers agreed to provide the Air Force with $400 million to explore buying a new light attack aircraft for missions in the Middle East.

The $400 million figure is proposed in the negotiated fiscal 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, congressional staffers said Wednesday on Capitol Hill. The House could vote on the legislation as early as next week, with action in the Senate sometime afterward.

The Senate Armed Services Committee originally added language stipulating $1.2 billion to start procuring light attack aircraft; however, the light attack “experiment” is not currently a program of record.

The service could bring in a new turboprop aircraft — known as OA-X light attack planes — if it sees value.

Related content:

• From Old Pilots to New Planes, Air Force Chief Talks ‘New Ways of Doing Business’
• Plane-Makers Strut Their Stuff in Air Force’s ‘Light Attack Experiment’
• Afghan Air Force to Get More A-29 Super Tucanos

OA-X “is actually not about the hardware — it’s about the network,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein during a recent interview with Military.com.

The Air Force in August conducted a “light attack experiment” at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, in which four aircraft — AirTractor and L3’s AT-802L Longsword; Sierra Nevada and Embraer’s A-29 Super Tucano; and Textron and AirLand LLC’s Scorpion, as well as their AT-6B Wolverine — conducted live-fly exercises, combat maneuver scenarios and, on some occasions, weapons drops.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. John McCain lauded the Air Force’s initiative to not only think outside the box in potential acquisition strategy — testing the product before investing — but also the experiment itself.

“The light attack experiment at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, provides an example for how rapid acquisition and experimentation can help our military procure the needed capabilities more quickly, more efficiently, and more affordably than we have in the past,” the Arizona Republican said at the time.

The former Navy pilot stressed that, while the service should sustain its A-10 Thunderbolt IIfighter fleet for close-air support, “the Air Force should procure 300 low-cost, light-attack fighters that would require minimal work to develop.”

How soon the Air Force will decide whether to invest in light attack aircraft has not been determined, Goldfein recently said.

He said he wants the service to train more often with coalition partners — who may not have high-end fighter aircraft.

Goldfein, who served as the U.S. Air Forces Central Command commander between 2011 and 2013, said, “Is this a way to get more coalition partners into a network to counter violence?”

“Can I at the same that we’re looking at a relatively inexpensive aircraft and sensor package, can I connect that into a network of sharable information that allows us to better accomplish the strategy as its been laid out?” he asked.

 

Should be just dandy as long as nobody shoots at it.

 

Loitering time is a big requirement...ability to land and take off from rough fields another - as it allows quick refuel and rearmament and back to target capability.
I would have thought a large drone would be the aircraft to design and develop. Could even be stashed in the belly of a C130 or C17 and then released...just a thought.

 

Heck, since the pinks and greens are making a comeback how about the USAF resurrect the P-47? I'd even settle for an A-1.

 

Or Puff the magic dragon, A-26 Invader, P-51 turbo prop, F-105 even!

 

Remember Rutan's (sp?) "mud fighter"?

 

I don't believe so?

 

ARES: The Light Attack Aircraft America Needed (But Never Happened)

 

ARES is a pretty unique aircraft, I have never heard of or seen one until now.

 

Looks like a cross between a P80 and a Bronco...

 

Now that you mention it......I can see that.

 

Rutan was one of the real stars in the field of aeronautical engineering. HIs name isn't all that well known but look at the list of planes he designed and you will be impressed.

 

Same here

 

I have grave doubts this will get off the ground (pardon the pun) though not the concept. The Air Force has never been too enthused with dedicated low tech ground attack aircraft historically. Nor are they willing to let the Army get fixed wing aircraft to fill that role. There will be push back from the armed drone community who likely see this their bailiwick.

In truth there is positives in both camps, a manned light attack craft would be relatively cheap and very versatile, a drone would be even cheaper and would not put a pilot in a hostile environment, though perhaps less versatile. My guess is that a drone has a better chance long term to fill this role, especially as they have great promise as VSTOL platforms.

As to the ARES, I'm not sure you can talk Airedale types to climb into a mini BatJet (and not one of the cool looking one's at that)