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I woke up this morning to the news that the US is building up the Afghan air force for close air support. The plane? Super Tucano. I thought I was looking at a scene from WW2. Had no idea they still make prop fighter planes.
Technically not a fighter but an attack aircraft. It lacks the sophisticated targeting sensors and certainly the speed of a true fighter (F-XX, MiG-XX) but it's a decent attack aircraft. I once was told that the A-10 was not a fighter jet but I challenge anyone that arrogant to mud wrestle at low altitude with a Hog. Blundering into a low visual turning fight with one was bad news. The A-29 doesn't have the A-10's missiles and self-protection capability, and certainly not that of the F-16, but it's a good aircraft for that environment. There are other lower-tech aircraft doing a credible job in COIN scenarioes, think Pucara and OV-10.
I was amazed at its flight ceiling of 35000 feet. That is higher than jetliners. Until the Taliban get their own F-16 I suppose this is a decent plane. I just didn’t know they even made anything like it and who outside Afghanistan would want it? Not cheap either. $18 million a copy?
I always thought some company would clean up if they could do a modern A-1 to sell for COIN use. Cheaper than helicopters although do not have the utility. I recall hearing on NPR a few months ago of an American company trying to sell pocket sized jet a/c for this role.
Do Argies still use the Pucara? Sorry I am really out of date when it comes to military a/c.
I always thought some company would clean up if they could do a modern A-1 to sell for COIN use. Cheaper than helicopters although do not have the utility. I recall hearing on NPR a few months ago of an American company trying to sell pocket sized jet a/c for this role.
Do Argies still use the Pucara? Sorry I am really out of date when it comes to military a/c.
I was amazed at its flight ceiling of 35000 feet. That is higher than jetliners. Until the Taliban get their own F-16 I suppose this is a decent plane. I just didn’t know they even made anything like it and who outside Afghanistan would want it? Not cheap either. $18 million a copy?
Well that's not entirely true, every current jet airliner has a higher ceiling than 35,000 feet...even those made by Embraer. As to combat ceiling, it's similar to piston powered aircraft from 50 years ago who's superchargers could get them into the 30,000 foot realm as well. For the type of fighting it'll do, I'd call it "somewhat economical" albeit you could likely make something cheaper...or even buy something cheaper through alternate channels...I can't imagine used up Migs are that expensive anymore. But I bet you spend a lot more keeping a more "high tech" aircraft in the air...should also be relatively easy to train your pilots how to operate, without an incredibly expensive training program...and it'll be cheap enough to operate for the pilots to remain current.
I looked up my favorite WW2 fighter; the Corsair. It had a top speed exceeding 400mph and a flight ceiling of 30,000 feet or so. Pretty damn close to the Embraer. Could we really use a Corsair today with upgraded electronics, navigation and weapon systems?
That’s why I said bring back the Corsair. I bet someone could build one today for $5M tops.
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