Are We On The Cutting Edge Or What!?!?

[Bryan H.]

I found this the other day & thought, 'Gee, I seem to recall multiple threads revolving around the type of aircraft & mission(s) they're looking into.

"US Air National Guard to trial Beechcraft AT-6 for counter-insurgency
By Stephen Trimble

The US Air National Guard has received special funds to stage a demonstration of the turboprop-powered Hawker Beechcraft AT-6 for the domestic security and counter-insurgency mission.

Kansas-based Senator Sam Brownback earmarked $3 million for the ANG to demonstrate the capabilities of the AT-6, which is assembled in Wichita, Kansas.

The AT-6 is among at least four contenders to fill an emerging role in US and foreign airborne inventories for a dedicated counter-insurgency aircraft. The US Air Force is conducting a competition for such an aircraft on behalf of the Iraqi air force, with contenders including the AT-6, Embraer's EMB-314 Super Tucano, Korea Aerospace Industries' KA-1 and the Pilatus PC-9. Ohio-based US Aircraft is also seeking to offer the developmental A-67, but is not expected to be ready in time for the Iraqi contract.

Meanwhile, the ANG's rising interest in the COIN mission comes as the USAF continues to debate the need to acquire a turboprop-powered combat fleet in a time of tightening acquisition budgets. The US Special Operations Command released a White Paper in mid-2007 calling for a new Irregular Warfare wing comprised of one squadron of turboprops with a light strike capability.

Meanwhile, the National Guard Association of the United States adopted a resolution in August that urges Congress to set aside funding for the turboprop-powered fleet dedicated to the COIN mission."

Here's the link...  Beechcraft AT-6 article



Unfortunately the OV-10 production line has been down for over 3 decades.  A monernized OV-10 would really 'fit the bill.'  Or for that matter a modernized Fiat G.91R (maybe re-engined with an Adour) or a modernized P-51 Mustang.  It seems like one lesson (of many) might be never throw (or sell, or allow to whither away) the plans, the tooling or other production necessities away; you just might need them again because the same old sh'tuff seems to happen over and over.

Bryan

[GTX]

Another image from the same advert:



Regards,

Greg

[Scooterman]

Bring back the mighty Bronco!  Picture a D+ with the M197 tri-20mm gun (trialed on the YOV-10D NOS) slinging Hellfires and rockets!

Hmmm, I have the kits......  

[Shasper]

With PT6s driving 4 bladed props & some extra underwing pylons for goodies. ^_^

IIRC the USMC was actually looking at pulling a few Ds from AMARC or whatever they're calling themselves today, even went as far as send a couple of guys out there to have a look.


Shas B)

[Martin H]

Bring back the mighty Bronco!  Picture a D+ with the M197 tri-20mm gun (trialed on the YOV-10D NOS) slinging Hellfires and rockets!

Hmmm, I have the kits......

Then get on with it!   LOL

[Scooterman]

Yes Sir!  :salute:  

[GTX]

I still think the EMB-314 is the perfect aircraft for this:



Regards,

Greg

[Scooterman]

I still think the EMB-314 is the perfect aircraft for this:

Agreed, but we need a KIT!

[BadersBusCompany]

Thats a cracking pic GTX!

[Captain Canada]

Sweet idea for sure. I think they should make some kind of a/c like the Cav Mustang or the Enforcer. Guys would be lining up at the recruiting office to fly those things on weekends.



What's the dif. between the 314 and the Tucano ? Looks a bit smaller ?

 

[GTX]

What's the dif. between the 314 and the Tucano ? Looks a bit smaller ?

The EMB-314 is the 'big brother' of the Shorts/Embraer Tucano (technically the EMB-312). There are number of differences - see specs below (note especially the length):

EMB-312 Tucano:

Engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25C of 750 shp
Propeller: three-bladed
Maximum speed: 448 km/h
Cruise speed: 319 km/h
Top altitude: 9144 m
Maximum range: 2055 km
Wingspan: 11.14 m
Length: 9.89 m
Weight: 1810 kg
Maximum takeoff weight: 3175 kg
Weapons: 4 underwing pylons, 12.7mm machine guns, rockets and bombs may be loaded.

EMB-314 Super Tucano (ALX/A-29):

Crew: One pilot on single seat version, one pilot plus one navigator/student on double seat version
Length: 11.33 m (37.17 ft)
Wingspan: 11.14 m (36.55 ft)
Height: 3.97 m (13.02 ft)
Wing area: 19.4 m² (208.82 sq ft)
Empty weight: 3,020 kg (6,658 lb)
Loaded weight: 4,520 kg (9,965 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 5,200 kg (11,464 lb)
Powerplant: 1× Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68C , 1,600 hp (1,193 kW)

Performance:

Maximum speed: 593 km/h (368 mph)
Range: 4,820 km (2,995 mi)
Service ceiling: 10,670 m (35,008 ft)
Rate of climb: 24 m/s (79 ft/s)

Armament

2x 12.7 mm FN Herstal M3P machine guns
1x 20 mm cannon pod below the fuselage
4x 70 mm rocket launcher pods
Conventional and intelligent bombs
2x AIM-9 Sidewinder or MAA-1 Piranha or Python 3/4 air-to-air missiles
External stores on 5 hardpoints

Also look here, especially at the top of page 5 which includes a profile comparison of the two.

Regards,

Greg

[GTX]

Thats a cracking pic GTX!

If you think that is cool, check out the Columbian versions:










I take no responsibility for any underwear ruined in the viewing of these images !

Regards,

Greg

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

When will they ever learn ?

'My imagination, or was this almost exactly the same situation encountered in the early sixties that (eventually) gave the US the OV-10, but on the way gave birth to the AT-28, the Cavalier Mustang/Enforcer, the AT-37 and elsewhere in the world the SF-260 Warrior, the Socata Rallye, the Strikemaster and all the myriad of light attack/CoIn types that, even today, fill the inventorys of the worlds' 'small air forces'.  

These allegedly 'small' forces haven't forgotten the value of CoIn aircraft, simply because they are the very nations that deal with insurgency every day. However that class of machine has once again been forgotten by the larger air forces - or perhaps, more aacurately, been allowed to be forgotten simply on the grounds of expense. After all it costs money to retain a wing or two of aircraft that you may never require.....

Plus ca change - plus ces la memme chose, n'est pas ?

Ian
NDN Firecracker anybody ??

[Mossie]

NDN Firecrackers in COIN type paint jobs:

Prototype:



Turbo Firecracker:


B)  B)  B)  B)  B)

[B777LR]

Whats that NDN firecrakcer thing?