The appeal of light, close air support aircraft endures in a region increasingly worried by the likelihood of returning Daesh fighters adding to existing insurgency challenges.
With internal threats from Daesh-linked militants, the light attack aircraft is a sought after weapon for a growing number of Asia Pacific countries. The latest generation of counter-insurgency (COIN) aircraft are specialised variants of basic or advanced training aircraft designed for close air support (CAS) and armed reconnaissance missions in low-intensity operations.
In 2010 the United States Air Force (USAF) issued a Light Air Support (LAS) aircraft requirement for the then Afghanistan National Army Air Corps (ANAAC) to be fielded by 2013. The programme called for fixed-wing single-engine turboprop platform, with a number of critical requirements that the winning aircraft had to fulfil including a rough-field capability without ground support, dual controls, ejection seats, specific airto-ground weapons and systems, as well as a defensive-aids system.
Two contenders for the LAS programme turned out to be adaptations of basic trainer aircraft, the Brazilian Embraer A-29 Super Tucano and the American Beechcraft AT-6B Texan II, while a third was a modified agricultural crop sprayer, the Air Tractor AC-802U. None were designed as armed reconnaissance/ COIN platforms.
Finally, on 27 February 2013 Embraer and its partner Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) was awarded a $427 million contract to supply 20 Embraer A-29 Super Tucano aircraft to be built in Jacksonville, Florida, as well as ground-based training equipment, pilot and maintenance training, and logistical support.
The first production A-29 LAS aircraft was delivered to Moody Air Force Base (AFB) in September 2014 prior to training of Afghan pilots and maintainers. AAF A-29 Super Tucanos based in Kabul took part in their first air strike operations against Taliban targets in Afghanistan in April 2016 since when an additional four aircraft have been ordered for the Afghan Air Force (AAF).
Denne historien er fra December 2018-utgaven av Asian Military Review.
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Denne historien er fra December 2018-utgaven av Asian Military Review.
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SMART MUNITIONS INCREASE MARKET SHARE
Top attack munitions are now widely developed for different artillery calibers with varied ranges.
NEXT GEN NVGS - A CLEAR IMPROVEMENT
Fused and enhanced night-vision technology will make the difference to soldiers fighting at night.
MILITARY ROTORCRAFT DEVELOPMENT - NO MORE ‘STOVEPIPES'
New rotorcraft are going to come with new abilities founded on open systems that provide easier upgrade paths and cheaper through life costs.
INDO PACIFIC UAV DIRECTORY 2021
The development of unmanned aerial vehicles is growing apace, especially in China. New longer range ISR platforms are also on the procurement list of several nations.
TIME TO RESET TRILATERAL RELATIONS
United States President Joe Biden has made it a top priority of his Administration to repair and re-energize global alliances during its first year in power. This is a necessary strategic and political calculus made in light of growing global security, public health, and environmental challenges that will require cooperation and multilateral contributions. President Trump’s ‘America first’ policy did much to undermine confidence in such relationships over his time in office.
SOCPAC KEEN TO SHARE JOINT DOCTRINE AND TRAINING
The return of Great Power competition means that US SOCPAC is more than ever seeking joint training opportunities with regional special forces.
MARINE ENGINE POWER - NOT JUST ABOUT KNOTS
Navies not only want more engine power, there are also coming under increasing pressure to become environmentally conscious.
AMPHIBIOUS FORCES
New amphibious concepts are re-shaping marine forces to break the A2AD defensive line.
SPACE V AIRBORNE ISR OR MIX AND MATCH
Owning satellite based ISR for military use is still an exclusive ‘club’, but airborne ISR still provides that most countries need.
SHIPBUILDING - A NUMBERS GAME
While experience grows among Indo-Pacific naval designers, order numbers remain crucial to keeping costs down and yards in business.
