AT-6 excluded from Light Attack Aircraft

[HokiePilot]

I just saw this article regarding how Beechcraft has been excluded from the light attacck aircraft bid. It is a pretty bad article calling the AT-6 a piston aircraft. It seems to be a press release from Beechcraft complaining about getting excluded with no real details.

http://washingtonexaminer.com/news/2011/11/kan-plane-maker-says-air-force-bars-it-bid#ixzz1eC1o3QFh

Also here is a interesting discussion of the article. A lot of people see to think this was a political move saying that Embraer has ties to Iran

http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2011/11/2...-with-ties-to-iran-on-light-aircraft-project/

 

[Fog]

We have a no-sh*t economic crisis in the U.S., and manufacturing more aircraft here certainly makes sound economic sense. At the same time, the Super Tucano easily outperforms the AT-6 in every area of measurement - including about 2.5hrs greater loiter time. I don't think Iran has anything to do w/ any decision we might make with regard to a brazilian aircraft. If the Iranians have the Tucano, they can only use it against their own people - it's useless against anything the U.S. or Israel might send over there.

 

[Rocketman]

Who's still in aside from the Super Tucano if the AT-6 is out? Air Tractor?

 

[MasterBates]

Armed twin otters.

 

[zab1001]

I've dealt with this for the ;ast 5 years as far as foreign customer demand. I'm all about U.S. industry, but Beech fucked this away, willingly.

 

[81montedriver]

Armed twin otters.

Loiter time AND the ability to takeoff and land from short fields. What's not to like?

 

[SteveG75]

Wouldn't these be cheaper (and easier to maintain)?

 

[Flash]

I just saw this article regarding how Beechcraft has been excluded from the light attacck aircraft bid......Also here is a interesting discussion of the article.

I've dealt with this for the ;ast 5 years as far as foreign customer demand. I'm all about U.S. industry, but Beech fucked this away, willingly.

Beechcraft had two years to bring the AT-6 up to the capability of what the Super Tucano already had and they still couldn't get close, damn right they fucked this one away.

May the best plane win.

A lot of people see to think this was a political move saying that Embraer has ties to Iran

http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2011/11/2...-with-ties-to-iran-on-light-aircraft-project/

Of course, because we want nothing more than to support the current Iranian government! Oh, wait.......

I guess they forgot that we sold arms to them around the same time they got the Tucanos back in the 80s, minor detail though.

 

[STOVLer]

shame

 

[ryan1234]

We have a no-sh*t economic crisis in the U.S., and manufacturing more aircraft here certainly makes sound economic sense.

Not sure what the master plan truly is, but Hawker Beech outsources a lot of stuff nowadays... and quality has gone down the tubes. IIRC, They now manufacture most of their stuff out of Chihuahua, Mexico.

The A-29 is planned to be manufactured in Jacksonville, FL... supposedly will create 1200 US jobs. Also, the AT-6 has, as you know, its roots in the PC-9 license... so not truly an all "American" aircraft design. I think that Hawker Beech is a half Canadian company too.

 

[SynixMan]

So Beechcraft's lobbying efforts for an inferior product failed? I now have a glimmer of faith in the system.

 

[Flying Toaster]

AT-6 pics

If we're going on looks alone the Super T wins hands down. If that's not enough, internal .50's should seal the deal.

FF to 4:20 for some BFM. It may not be relevant but who cares, it sure as hell looks like fun!

 

[STOVLer]

sweet pics and video. In the words of Robert Goulet, "you win, you always do..."

Do you know if it has a targeting pod capability like the AT-6 appears to?
A couple more pics for fun:

 

[Flying Toaster]

sweet pics and video. In the words of Robert Goulet, "you win, you always do..."

Do you know if it has a targeting pod capability like the AT-6 appears to?
A couple more pics for fun:

This is the Embraer propaganda video and it mentions something about a FLIR pod, not sure if it's for targeting as well.

 

[Treetop Flyer]

I wonder how that FLIR ball compares to a LITENING pod. It's certainly a lot smaller, and must be a lot lighter.