December 13, 2007: The U.S.
Air National Guard has been given two Beechcraft AT-6 armed trainer aircraft,
to evaluate for their use in counter-insurgency operations. This is being done
largely at the behest of the Iraqi and Afghan air forces, which are looking for
such an aircraft . There are other contenders for this job, but they are
foreign built. The money for the AT-6 evaluation came via a U.S. legislator who
wants to see an American aircraft bought. The AT-6 is being touted mainly as
"American Made," while its precise capabilities are played down. That's because
the AT-6 has some formidable completion. The best regarded of the foreign craft
are the Super Tucano light combat aircraft from the Brazilian manufacturer
Embraer. With better endurance and carrying more weapons, the Super Tucano
already has most of the market for such warplanes. This five ton, single engine,
single seat aircraft was built for pilot training, but also performs quite well
for counter-insurgency work. The Super Tucano is basically a prop driven
trainer that is equipped for combat missions. The aircraft can carry up to 1.5
tons of weapons, including 12.7mm machine-guns, bombs and missiles. The
aircraft cruises at about 500 kilometers an hour and can stay in the air for
about 6.5 hours per sortie. One of the options is a FLIR (infrared radar that
produces a photo realistic video image in any weather) and a fire control
system for bombing. Colombia is using the Super Tucanos for counter-insurgency
work (there are over 20,000 armed rebels and drug gang gunmen in the country).
The aircraft is also used for border patrol. The Super Tucano costs $9 million
each, and come in one or two seat versions. The bubble canopy provides
excellent visibility. This, coupled with its slow speed (versus jets), makes it
an excellent ground attack aircraft.
