Light Attack/Armed Reconnaissance Explained

The Light Attack/Armed Reconnaissance (LAAR) or Light Air Support (LAS) program was a United States Air Force program for a new light counter-insurgency, ground attack and reconnaissance aircraft.[1] The aircraft should be capable of finding, tracking, and attacking targets either on its own or in support of ground forces. The program formally began in July 2009 with a request for information. No request for proposal has yet been issued. Approximately 100 aircraft were expected to be ordered, but USAF has reduced the number of aircraft sought to 15 aircraft. The 15 aircraft program was focused at training pilots, not a combat mission.[2] This program has also been called the OA-X program or the AT-X program, although the reduced scope of the LAAR program has forced the USAF to push an "OA-X" program indefinitely into the future.[2] [3] In late 2019, the program received renewed attention by lawmakers, who expressed their frustrations with the program's pace.[4] A group of legislators introduced amendments to the House and Senate versions of the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act that would transfer control of the program to the commander of U.S. Special Operations Command.[5] [6]

In February 2020, following the release of the Pentagon's FY 2021 budget request, it was announced that the Air Force "will not move forward with a Program of Record for light attack planes," effectively killing the project.[7] [8] U.S. Special Operations Command, meanwhile, announced an industry day for their Armed Overwatch program, a new and independent effort to secure around 75 manned, fixed-wing aircraft for "CAS, Armed Reconnaissance, Strike Coordination & Reconnaissance, and Airborne Forward Air Control."[9]

History

The 2009 Light Attack/Armed Reconnaissance program was born out of the need for a new close air support aircraft that was suited to the type of combat the United States was facing in post 2003-invasion Iraq and Afghanistan. The close air support role was carried out by several different aircraft, including the A-10 Thunderbolt II, the B-1B Lancer, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and the F-15E Strike Eagle. While all of these aircraft are capable of close air support, only the A-10 was purpose built for the type of support needed by ground troops in a "low intensity conflict," or COIN (COunterINsurgency), operation.[3]

For example, these aircraft often do not have the loiter time needed for these missions and require aerial refueling support, making their missions more expensive. Additionally, long loiter missions use up an airframe's service life faster than expected, requiring replacement. This may cause issues in the future as some aircraft, such as the A-10, are out of production and cannot be replaced.[3]

To solve this problem, the United States Air Force released a Request for Information (RFI) on July 27, 2009 requesting details of a possible Light Attack/Armed Reconnaissance aircraft that could be outfitted to specific requirements (see Requirements below) and enter into service in 2013.[10]

The Air Force planned to acquire approximately 100 aircraft in the RFI, but has since reduced the initial requirement to 15 aircraft. A more detailed Request for Proposals (RFP) has not been released as of September 2010.[10] [11]

In 2011 the House Armed Services Committee moved to block funding for the program until the requirements and acquisition were validated.[12]

In November 2011 it was revealed that the Beechcraft AT-6B had been excluded from the competition by the USAF, leaving the Embraer A-29 the probable winner, with a contract expected to be awarded in December 2011.[13] According to GAO: “the Air Force concluded that HBDC [Hawker Beechcraft Defense Company] had not adequately corrected deficiencies in its proposal. In this regard, the agency concluded that multiple deficiencies and significant weaknesses found in HBDC’s proposal make it technically unacceptable and results in unacceptable mission capability risk”. Hawker Beechcraft's protest against its exclusion was dismissed.[14]

On December 30, 2011, the USAF announced that the A-29 had been awarded the contract.[15] But the contract award was disputed and a stop-work was issued the following January.[16] All motions will be due to U.S. Court of Federal Claim by March 6, 2012.[17]

A re-awarding of the contract was expected in January 2013,[18] but was delayed a few months.[19] The A-29 was reawarded the contract on February 27, 2013.[20] [21] And Beechcraft again challenged the contract.[22] But the USAF ordered that the construction start anyway.[23] Beechcraft's allies in the Kansas Republican congressional delegation then called for the work to be stopped,[24] while Embraer's Floridan congressional allies praised the USAF's move.[25] The USAF has instructed for work to continue unless a federal court orders otherwise.[26] The United States Court of Federal Claims upheld the USAF's decision to proceed with the contract work.[27]

OA-X demonstration

In summer 2017, the U.S. Air Force will conduct flight demonstrations at Holloman AFB, New Mexico for the OA-X capability assessment for light attack and armed reconnaissance missions from austere locations : it will choose up to four industrials to bring one or two off-the-shelf low-cost, light-attack aircraft for a 300-aircraft need.[28] It is required to have a 90% availability day and night, fly 900 hours per year for 10 years, take off on 6,000 ft runways, burn a maximum of 1,500 lb./hr of fuel over 2.5-hr. and its survivability should be evaluated by its infrared and visual signature.[29]

Current competitors include Embraer and Sierra Nevada's A-29 Super Tucano as well as the Textron Aviation Defense AT-6 Wolverine turboprop and the American-made Textron Aviation Defense Scorpion light jet.[28] Other possibilities includes the Leonardo M-346F, the BAE Systems Hawk, the Boeing OV-10X, a Boeing/Saab T-X variant, a Lockheed Martin/KAI T-50 variant, the Iomax Archangel, the L3 Technologies OA-8 Longsword, the Northrop Grumman/Scaled Composites ARES, the KAI KA-1, the TAI Hürkuş-C, and the FMA IA 58 Pucará,[28]

The South African high-wing, twin-boom pusher turboprop Paramount Mwari developed with Boeing could be evaluated too, but Boeing won't take part of the flight demonstration.[29] Lockheed neither, as the T-50A may not meet runway and fuel burn requirements, but this isn't ruling out one or the other participating in OA-X later.[30] Four contenders were displayed on Aug. 9 : the Textron Scorpion jet, Embraer/Sierra Nevada A-29 Super Tucano, Textron AT-6B and L3 Longsword turboprops, graded on basic surface attack and close air support, both including at night, daytime ground assault and rescue escort; but also austere environment performance, rapid turn rate, weapons qualifications, sensors and communication systems, low field operating costs and affordable upfront procurement cost.[31] [32]

In February 2018, after selecting the two finalists, the US Air Force decided against holding a planned combat demonstration to aid in selecting an aircraft type on combat performance, and opted instead to work closely together with the manufacturers of the two selected finalist aircraft to determine the best aircraft and proceed with rapid acquisition.[33] [34] [35]

Second stage

In April 2018, after deciding to forgo a combat demonstration, the US Air Force decided to advance with a second phase of the LAAR program. The second phase involves examining sustainment requirements, the ability to network with friendly aircraft, and operating costs.[36]

Renewed attention, FY 2020 NDAA amendment

In April 2019, SOCOM Commander Gen. Richard Clark testified before the House of Representatives that "light attack is a need for SOCOM, and I think it's a need for our nation," arguing that light attack aircraft would be useful both to US forces themselves and to smaller allied forces.[37] In October of that year, the Air Force released final requests for proposal specifying the purchase of 1-3 AT-6 and A-29 aircraft. SOCOM would take control of the A-29s, but only for use in developing a curriculum to train pilots from partner nations. Similarly, Air Combat Command would receive the AT-6s, but only for further testing and development of "exportable, tactical networks."[38] [39] Though lawmakers had expressed displeasure with the Air Force's handling of the program before this, the final RFP secured passage of an amendment to the FY 2020 NDAA, giving U.S. SOCOM the authority to purchase light attack aircraft using funds the Air Force had been given for the project.[40] [41] The amendment grants the Commander of U.S. SOCOM the authority to procure light attack aircraft, should the Commander certify to congressional defense committees that "a mission capability gap and special-operations-forces-peculiar acquisition requirement exists which can be mitigated with procurement of a light attack aircraft capability."[42] The NDAA also provides for the type certification of light attack aircraft, should it become necessary. As the A-29 is currently the only aircraft type-certified by the US Military for light attack, this provision allows SOCOM to choose either the A-29 or AT-6, and obtain certification afterward.[43] [44]

Project Cancellation

In early 2020, the Air Force announced its decision to halt its light attack program. Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek stated that the service would continue with plans to use existing funds to buy two aircraft apiece from Textron and Sierra Nevada Corp. These planes, however, will be used as test beds for "continued experimentation on exportable network/data link capabilities for allies and partners," not as prototypes for a potential larger buy.[7]

Requirements

The selected LAAR aircraft was intended to meet several key requirements, including:

Desired traits (but not requirements) included:

Sources:[10]

Competitors

Finalists

The following aircraft entered the competition and were selected for final evaluation after having met all requirements:[33] [34] [35]

Hawker Beechcraft AT-6BThe AT-6B is a light attack variant of the T-6 Texan II trainer aircraft used by the United States Air Force, and as such, it was considered to be a favorite for LAAR program, until it was eliminated in November 2011.[2] [45] [46] But the USAF later found a mistake in its paperwork.[47] A second contest was initiated and concluded with selection of the A-29 in 2013, to be provided to the Afghan Air Force, with pilots trained in the United States.
A-29 Super TucanoThe Embraer Super Tucano is a light attack and reconnaissance aircraft that is already in use by several nations.[48] [49] In fact, the United States Navy has already leased several of the aircraft to evaluate their suitability in support of special operations missions.[2] [50]

Failed bids

The following aircraft entered the competition but were denied final evaluation due to not meeting one or more requirements:[33] [34] [35]

Textron AirLand Scorpion In addition to the AT-6, Textron will demonstrate the capabilities of their Scorpion twin-engine two-seat attack jet, expected to easily outperform the propeller planes. Textron secretly put together the Scorpion with off-the-shelf aircraft parts in just two year’s time, and presumably would require more time and money to put it into production than the AT-6 or A-29.[51] [52]
OV-10XBoeing proposed an updated version of their OV-10 Bronco aircraft, currently called the OV-10X for the LAAR competition.[53]
  • A-67 DragonThe A-67 Dragon is a Counter-insurgency (COIN) Aircraft currently in development and is slated to begin low rate initial production in the 4th quarter of 2010. The A-67 can achieve 11 hours of loiter on target on internal fuel and can achieve air speeds ranging from 85 to 370 knots.[54] [55]
    • Air Tractor AT-802UThe militarized version of this crop-duster will include up to 11 hardpoints under the wing and body for bombs, rockets, and machine guns. The Air Tractor aircraft is not planned to include an ejection seat or pressurization systems, both of which are mentioned in the Air Force RFI, but the company predicts that their proposal will cost half as much as other competitors.[56] [57]
    Alenia Aermacchi M-346The M-346 Master was the first jet-powered aircraft proposed for the competition, developed by the Italian Alenia Aermacchi company, and is powered by a pair of Honeywell F124 turbofan engines. The effective range of the aircraft currently is reported to be 1890km (1,170miles) while its armament configuration is centered around nine hardpoints.[58]

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=b1732e28ed804b5d1cc5c2c7315a92f2&tab=core&_cview=1 "Light Air Support (LAS) Aircraft - Solicitation Number: FA8637-10-R-6000."
    2. Trimble, Stephen (2010). Irregular warfare offers new role for propeller driven aircraft. Flight International. 26 October 2010. Retrieved: 28 October 2010.
    3. Tittel, Steven J. (Major, USAF) (2009). Cost, Capability, and the Hunt for a Lightweight Ground Attack Aircraft. Master's Thesis, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. June 12, 2009.
    4. Web site: Marcus Weisgerber . US Lawmaker Threatens to Give the Next Attack Plane to the Army . Defense One . 2019-09-11 . 2021-11-20.
    5. Web site: The case for light-attack aircraft . Militarytimes.com . 30 October 2019. 2021-11-20.
    6. Web site: Gaetz, other Florida Congress members push for broader light-attack aircraft program - News - Panama City News Herald - Panama City, FL . 2019-12-09 . 2019-12-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191209173505/https://www.newsherald.com/news/20191208/gaetz-other-florida-congress-members-push-for-broader-light-attack-aircraft-program . dead .
    7. Web site: Sorry, Sierra Nevada Corp. and Textron: The US Air Force isn't buying light attack planes . Defensenews.com . 11 February 2020. 2021-11-20.
    8. Web site: Trevithick . Joseph . Here Are The Pentagon's "Tough Choice" Cuts To Airpower As Part Of Its 2021 Budget . Thedrive.com . 2020-02-10 . 2021-11-20.
    9. Web site: Armed Overwatch Other Transaction for Prototype Industry Day Annocuement. sam.gov.
    10. https://www.fbo.gov/index?print_preview=1&s=opportunity&mode=form&id=b30065477e7b9159bb2687f2cc2a3667&tab=core&tabmode=list Air Combat Command (ACC) Light Attack/Armed Reconnaissance (LAAR)
    11. Trimble, Stephen (2010). "Rivals not deterred by USAF shift on turboprop fighters". Flight International. 15 September 2010. Retrieved: 16 September 2010.
    12. DiMascio, Jen. "Congress Threatens To Withhold LAAR Funding." Aviation Week, 18 May 2011.
    13. Web site: Hawker: Air Force Barred Us From Jet Bid. November 21, 2011. Manufacturing.net. 2011-11-25.
    14. http://www.gao.gov/decisions/bidpro/406170.htm "B-406170, Hawker Beechcraft Defense Company, LLC, December 22, 2011"
    15. Web site: Air Force Awards Afghan Plane Contract. Hodge. Nathan. December 30, 2011. The Wall Street Journal. 2012-01-02. New York.
    16. McCoy, Daniel. "USAF puts hold on LAS contract amid Hawker protest." Wichita Business Journal, 5 January 2012.
    17. http://www.sldinfo.com/usaf-background-paper-on-the-light-air-support-decision/ "USAF Background paper on the light Air Support Decision".
    18. Web site: "Afghan Light Air Support saga continues: Chuck Wald flies the Tucano.".
    19. Web site: USAF delays Afghan Light Air Support source selection. Dave. Majumdar. Flight Global.
    20. Web site: Super Tucano beats out AT-6 for Afghan Light Air Support tender. Dave. Majumdar2013-02-27T23:52:00+00:00. Flight Global.
    21. http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2013/02/dn-super-tucano-wins-afghanistan-light-air-support-bid-022713/ Super Tucano wins Afghan light air support bid
    22. https://archive.today/20130410175316/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130308/DEFREG02/303080015/Beechcraft-Again-Challenge-USAF-LAS-Decision "Beechcraft To Again Challenge USAF LAS Decision."
    23. https://archive.today/20130410180148/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130315/DEFREG02/303150011/USAF-Overrides-Stop-Work-Afghan-LAS-Contract "USAF Overrides Stop Work on Afghan LAS Contract."
    24. http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/news/2013/03/15/kansas-congressmen-want-work-stopped.html "Kansas congressmen want work stopped on USAF contract Beechcraft lost."
    25. https://archive.today/20130410175020/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130321/DEFREG02/303210017 "Beechcraft Moves LAS Fight to Courts, Congress."
    26. Web site: USAF tells Sierra Nevada/Embraer to keep working on LAS contract. Dave. Majumdar2013-03-22T19:35:00+00:00. Flight Global.
    27. Web site: Federal Claims Court Clears Way For Continued Light Air Support Work . Butler . Amy . 22 April 2013 . Av Week . The McGraw-Hill Companies . 21 April 2013.
    28. News: US Air Force selects Textron's Scorpion jet and AT-6 for light attack aircraft demo. Valerie. Mar 15, 2017. Defense News. June 16, 2017. Insinna.
    29. News: Boeing Opts Out Of USAF's Light Attack Demo . Mar 29, 2017 . Lara Seligman . Aerospace Daily & Defense Report . Aviation Week.
    30. News: Lockheed Passes On USAF's Light Attack Demo . Apr 8, 2017 . Lara Seligman . Aerospace Daily & Defense Report . Aviation Week.
    31. Web site: Light Attack Contenders Square Off For USAF Demo . Aug 9, 2017 . Lara Seligman . Aviation Week Network.
    32. News: Majumdar. Dave. The U.S. Air Force's OA-X Program Remains a Big Mystery. 16 August 2017. The National Interest. 8 August 2017. …while the contractors prepare the planes for flight and perform all of the logistical functions, they have no insight into the nature of the OA-X experiment whatsoever..
    33. Web site: Trimble. Stephen. USAF rejects Scorpion for OA-X, names A-29 and AT-6 finalists. Flight Global. 14 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180202231329/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/usaf-rejects-scorpion-for-oa-x-names-a-29-and-at-6-445488/. 2 February 2018. Washington, DC. 2 February 2018. live.
    34. Web site: Insinna. Valerie. US Air Force kills combat demo for light attack aircraft. Defense News. 14 February 2018. https://archive.today/20180207130320/https://www.defensenews.com/air/2018/02/02/us-air-force-kills-combat-demo-for-light-attack-aircraft/. 7 February 2018. Washington, DC. 2 February 2018. live.
    35. Web site: Jennings. Gareth. USAF axes planned light attack combat demo. IHS Jane's 360. 14 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180205120933/http://www.janes.com/article/77583/usaf-axes-planned-light-attack-combat-demo. 5 February 2018. London. 4 February 2018. live.
    36. Web site: Reim. Garrett. USAF sets evaluation criteria for second phase of light attack experiment. Flight Global. 3 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180424233316/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/usaf-sets-evaluation-criteria-for-second-phase-of-li-447974/. 24 April 2018. Los Angeles. 24 April 2018. live.
    37. Web site: US special ops command at odds with Air Force over need for light-attack aircraft . Defensenews.com . 17 May 2019. 2021-11-20.
    38. Web site: Air Force requests proposals for light attack aircraft > Air Force > Article Display . Af.mil . 2019-10-25 . 2021-11-20.
    39. Web site: Trevithick . Joseph . USAF May Launch New Light Attack Aircraft Tests To Explore A Requirement It Already Has . Thedrive.com . 2019-11-13 . 2021-11-20.
    40. Web site: Defense Authorizers Push for Ramp Up of Light Attack Aircraft for SOF . Aviation Today . 2019-11-27 . 2021-11-20.
    41. Web site: House Members Seek NDAA Language to Force Light-Attack Aircraft Buy. Valerie. Insinna. September 11, 2019.
    42. Web site: Text - H.R.2500 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress . Congress.gov . 2021-11-20.
    43. Web site: Why A-29 - A-29 for America | Super Tucano | OA-X . 2019-12-09 . 2019-12-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191209202405/http://www.builtforthemission.com/a-29-super-tucano/ . dead .
    44. Web site: The US Navy -- Fact File: T-6A Texan II Turboprop trainer . 2019-12-09 . 2020-07-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200716122833/https://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=1100&tid=1700&ct=1 . dead .
    45. Sweetman, Bill (2010). Light Airplanes Boost Close Air Support. Aviation Week. February 4, 2010. Accessed February 22, 2010.
    46. Malenic, Marina. "Hawker Beechcraft questions LAS exclusion." Janes, 23 November 2011.
    47. Shalal-Esa, Andrea. "U.S. Air Force sees Afghan plane issue as 'isolated'." Reuters. March 9, 2012.
    48. http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/colombia-finalizes-deal-for-super-tucano-coin-aircraft-01606/ Colombia Finalizes Deal for Super Tucano COIN Aircraft
    49. News: Majumdar. Dave. U.S. Air Force Now Training with A-29 Super Tucano. 16 August 2017. The National Interest. 12 July 2017.
    50. Scutro, Andrew (2009). U.S. Eyes Super Tucano for SpecOps Work . Defense News. March 13, 2009. Accessed February 22, 2010.
    51. News: Majumdar. Dave. Duel of the Light Attack Planes: Tucano vs. Texan vs. Scorpion . 16 August 2017. The National Interest. 10 July 2017.
    52. News: Majumdar. Dave. The U.S. Air Force's OA-X: An Opportunity For Textron's Scorpion Jet . 16 August 2017. The National Interest. 21 April 2017.
    53. Jennings, Gareth (2010). Singapore Air Show 2010: Boeing pins hopes on revived Bronco. Jane's Defence Weekly. February 5, 2010. Accessed February 22, 2010.
    54. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/02/01/321730/boeing-considers-restarting-ov-10-production-after-23-year.html "Boeing considers restarting OV-10 production after 23-year hiatus"
    55. http://www.globaldownlink.com/A67Page.html A-67 Counterinsurgency Aircraft
    56. Garvey, William (2010). Killer Apps. Aviation Week & Space Technology. 17 May 2010, pp. 53.
    57. News: Barrie. Allison. Meet the combat crop duster, armed and armored to join the fight. 16 August 2017. Fox News. 16 August 2017.
    58. http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2010/January%202010/0110aircraft.aspx "The Light Attack Aircraft"

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