USAF LAUNCHES SECOND PHASE OF LIGHT ATTACK EXPERIMENT

[Elderberry]

 Blog Before Flight Staff May 08, 2018

The Sierra Nevada/Embraer A-29 Super Tucano and the Textron Aviation AT-6B Wolverine will have to demonstrate their ability to operate in permissive combat environments.

 Flying began May 7, 2018, for the Air Force’s second phase of the Light Attack Experiment at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.

Pilots are flying the Sierra Nevada/Embraer A-29 Super Tucano and the Textron Aviation AT-6B Wolverine during a three-month, live-fly experiment to gather additional information about aircraft capabilities, as well as partner nation interoperability, prior to a potential light attack purchase.

“This second phase of experimentation is about informing the rapid procurement process as we move closer to investing in light attack,” said Lt. Gen. Arnie Bunch, military deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition. “If we can get light attack aircraft operating in permissive combat environments, we can alleviate the demand on our 4th and 5th generation aircraft, so they can be training for the high-end fight they were made for.”

More: https://www.blogbeforeflight.net/2018/05/usaf-launches-second-phase-light-attack-experiment.html