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USAF seeks industry help for light attack aircraft experiment
 by Richard Tomkins
 Washington (UPI) Mar 21, 2017


Afghanistan receives 4 more Super Tucano light-attack aircraft
Washington (UPI) Mar 21, 2017 - Afghanistan's air force received four A-29 Super Tucano light-attack aircraft on Monday to support the country's fight against insurgent groups.

The U.S. planes travelled to Afghanistan from Moody Air Force Base in Georgia. With the delivery, Afghanistan's in-country Super Tucano fleet increases from eight to 12 aircraft.

According to the U.S. Air Force, the new planes will be used by Afghan pilots to support armed reconnaissance missions, close-air attack and escort missions.

"The four additional aircraft will allow us to increase the number of missions we are able to support nationwide," an unnamed Afghan air force pilot said in a press release. "More targets can be attacked -- more ground troops can be supported."

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen David Hicks also commented on the delivery, noting Afghanistan's pilots have demonstrated considerable improvement with the platform.

"The AAF pilots are continually gaining proficiency in the A-29," he said. "They are capable of providing air attack anywhere in the country. In the past, the Afghan National Army relied on the coalition for air support. Now, it's their own countrymen overhead flying the missions."

The A-29 Super Tucano is fitted for counter-insurgency operations in low-threat environments as well as training pilots for combat. The planes are designed to perform in high temperatures and extreme humidity, and are typically armed with wing-mounted machine guns, rockets, and air-to-ground missiles.

The U.S. Air Force issued an invitation this week to industry to participate in a capability assessment of light attack aircraft.

The live-fly experiment, part a broader Air Force effort to explore cost-effective attack platform options, will be held this summer at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.

The off-the-shelf aircraft from industry participants will be flown by service personnel in scenarios designed to highlight aspects of combat missions, such as close air support, armed reconnaissance, combat search-and-rescue, and strike control and reconnaissance.

The Air Force said the experiment includes the use of weapons commonly used by other fighter/attack aircraft. The experimentation will include a number of mission events including medium altitude basic day and night surface attack, precision munition surface attack, armed reconnaissance and close air support.

"After 25 years of continuous combat operations, our Air Force is in more demand than ever," Lt. Gen. Jerry Harris, deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and requirements, said in a press release. "Since we don't expect deployment requirements to decrease, we have to look for innovative and affordable ways to meet capability demands in permissive environments while building and maintaining readiness to meet emerging threats in more contested environments.

"This is an experiment, not a competition."

The results of the demonstration will be used to inform requirements and criteria for future investment decisions, U.S. Air Force officials said, even if the upcoming event does not specifically lead to acquisitions.

The industry invitation can be viewed on the Federal Business Opportunities website, https://www.fbo.gov.

AEROSPACE
BOC Aviation orders 13 Boeing jets worth $1.4 bln
 Singapore (AFP) March 21, 2017
 Singapore-based aircraft leasing firm BOC Aviation said Tuesday it has ordered 13 new Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes worth a total of $1.4 billion at list prices. "Airlines are attracted by the 737 MAX 8's lower operating costs and fuel efficiency," BOC Aviation managing director and chief executive Robert Martin said in a statement. "We are delighted to announce the inclusion of these addition ... read more
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