The US Air Force recently awarded a contract to provide “at least 20 A-29 Super Tucanos” to Afghanistan.  The light attack aircraft was competing with the Hawker Beechcraft AT-6, a modified version of the T-6 currently used by both the USAF and US Navy.  The Air Force has also been flying an AT-6 in Arizona in a “non-acquisition program.”

The deal was contracted with Sierra Nevada Corp, though the Super Tucano itself is a product of Brazil-based Embraer.

Originally awarded in late December, as late as January 5th the Air Force had put a hold on the contract after Hawker filed a lawsuit. It seems Hawker was ultimately excluded from the final competition, which essentially left only the Embraer aircraft standing.  Hawker protested with the GAO, it was dismissed, and they filed suit.

The aircraft is intended to provide Afghanistan with a counterinsurgency platform.