Battle Brewing over Air Force Light Attack Aircraft

Recently, reports seemed to say the US government had made its decision regarding the light attack aircraft it would provide Afghanistan.  A more recent article, however, indicates a “battle” may yet be brewing over the procurement plan.

The feud between Hawker Beechcraft and Sierra Nevada Corporation over the Light Air Support contract has escalated from the usual appeals to the GAO up to a lawsuit, a freeze on the program, an online battle between the competitors websites, a write-your-Congressman campaign…

Hawker, which proposed a variant of its T-6 Texan II, is currently suing over its exclusion from the bidding process.

The article notes “conspiracy theories” are adding passion to the debate, as well as the fact the winner of the competition (which ultimately had only one contestant) is the A-29 Super Tucano, made by Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer.