{"id":28126,"date":"2018-07-19T13:26:40","date_gmt":"2018-07-19T13:26:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2018\/07\/19\/could-one-of-these-foreign-aircraft-be-the-air-forces-next-light-attack-plane\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T22:19:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T22:19:26","slug":"could-one-of-these-foreign-aircraft-be-the-air-forces-next-light-attack-plane","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/digital-show-dailies\/farnborough\/2018\/07\/19\/could-one-of-these-foreign-aircraft-be-the-air-forces-next-light-attack-plane\/","title":{"rendered":"Could one of these foreign aircraft be the US Air Force\u2019s next light-attack plane?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">FARNBOROUGH, England \u2014 Most analysts view the Air Force\u2019s potential light attack aircraft competition as a face off between two longtime rivals: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2017\/08\/10\/whats-the-air-forces-next-step-after-its-light-attack-demo-a-combat-demonstration\/\" target=_blank>Textron\u2019s AT-6 and the A-29 Super Tucano<\/a> manufactured in a Sierra Nevada Corp.-Embraer partnership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But that hasn\u2019t stopped a number of foreign companies from showcasing their products at Farnborough Air Show as contenders for an eventual U.S. Air Force requirement for light attack planes, also known as OA-X.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Czech aerospace firm Aero Vodochody would propose two of its jet engine-powered platforms, the L-39NG trainer and the F\/A-259 attack aircraft. South Africa\u2019s Paramount Group wants to enter a new aircraft that it has called the Bronco II, after the famed OV-10 Bronco used by the U.S. military throughout the Vietnam War.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, both companies face an uphill battle to even get their foot in the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/digital-show-dailies\/farnborough\/\" target=_blank><b>Click here for more from Farnborough Airshow 2018!<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For one, neither company has been involved in either of the two experimentation phases carried out at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;We are disadvantaged,\u201d Paramount Group Chairman Ivor Ichikowitz told Defense News during a July 18 interview at Farnborough. \u201cAt the point when the experiment started, we were just going into production with a 2018 technology airplane.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, Aero Vodochody submitted its F\/A-159 \u2014 an earlier version of the F\/A-259 it\u2019s now trying to promote \u2014 and was accepted into the first light attack experiment, said Giuseppe Giordo, the company\u2019s president and CEO. However, the company didn\u2019t have enough time to push its aircraft through the clearance process to fly in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/air\/2018\/05\/17\/light-attack-experiment-pits-at-6-against-a-29-in-high-stakes-matchup\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/3654076.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Light-attack experiment pits AT-6 against A-29 in high-stakes matchup<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">Textron and the Sierra Nevada Corp.-Embraer team can expect a fast-paced couple of months at Holloman Air Force Base.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The U.S. Air Force recently<a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2018\/07\/03\/air-force-cancels-remaining-light-attack-experiment-flights-but-effort-to-continue\/\" target=\"_blank\"> ended flight tests of the AT-6 and A-29<\/a> after a U.S. Navy pilot <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2018\/06\/28\/light-attack-experiment-flights-suspended-as-air-force-investigates-pilot-death\/\" target=\"_blank\">died tragically during an A-29 flight<\/a> at Holloman AFB. However, the second phase of light attack experimentation will continue this summer with evaluations of network connectivity and maintenance procedures that can be carried out on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The service hasn\u2019t made a final decision on whether to start a program or what its exact requirements might be, but it could release a request for proposals as soon as December for a contract award by the end of fiscal 2019, said Lt. Gen. Arnold Bunch, the service\u2019s top uniformed acquisition official, during a July 7 news conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, it\u2019s possible the service could limit a future competition to only the AT-6 and A-29 \u2014 and leaders seem to be leaning in that direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe whole way we got to where we\u2019re at, we put out an invitation to participate, and we only had two that met all of the criteria that we were looking for,\u201d Bunch said. \u201cWe experimented with those, and they performed well enough that we did another phase, and those are the only two that we invited in [for phase two]. So at this point right now I\u2019m seeing it as a competition between two airplanes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That hasn\u2019t deterred executives at Aero Vodochody and Paramount from pushing their platforms as potential OA-X contenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe are expecting you to have, obviously, a competition,\u201d Giordo said. \u201cThe reality is that \u2014 following the U.S. federal acquisition regulations \u2014 they will open any competition they will have and give time to test the L-259 and the L-39NG.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Giordo\u2019s assessment of the situation doesn\u2019t necessarily reflect the actuality of the U.S. acquisition law. The U.S. military can and has limited the number of competitors for specific programs. For instance, the Navy\u2019s MQ-25 tanker drone competition has been restricted to four U.S. manufacturers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The companies also face significant hurdles due to the design of the planes themselves. During the light attack experiment, the Air Force has gravitated toward off-the-shelf turboprop aircraft designed with ejection seats that can be outfitted to carry a variety of sensors and weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aero Vodochody\u2019s L-39NG and F\/A-259 are jet-powered aircraft, but Giordo contends that both are better choices for the U.S. Air Force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/l-39.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-60383\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/l-39.jpg.jpg 800w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/l-39.jpg.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/l-39.jpg.jpg?resize=768,512 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Aero Vodochody&#8217;s L-39NG trainer during a flight. The company sees opportunity to market the plane to the U.S. Air Force. (Aero Vodochody)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWithout giving numbers, the operating cost per flight hour in our platform is almost the same as a turboprop,\u201d he said. \u201cObviously we have much more endurance. Obviously we have much more range, and obviously in terms of payload capability, we can have a much bigger payload capability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Bronco-II-C-SML.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-60387\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Bronco-II-C-SML.jpg.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Bronco-II-C-SML.jpg.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Bronco-II-C-SML.jpg.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Bronco-II-C-SML.jpg.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A rendering of the Paramount Group&#8217;s Bronco II, which it wants to pitch to the U.S. Air Force as a light attack aircraft option. (Paramount Group)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Bronco II, a turboprop aircraft, looks more akin to the AT-6 and A-29. However, it is still unproven. An earlier iteration of the plane \u2014 known as the Advanced High Performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft or AHRLAC \u2014 first flew in 2014, and Ichikowitz said the militarized version of the AHRLAC \u2014 called Mwari \u2014 is in production for undisclosed customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the first Bronco II, which is a version of the Mwari built for the U.S. market, won\u2019t come off the production line until this year. Then it will transfer to the United States for \u201cfit and finish,\u201d Ichikowitz said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That could be around the same point the U.S. Air Force is ready to start a competition,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both Aero Vodochody and Paramount Group are very conscious of President Donald Trump\u2019s Buy American rhetoric. A key part of their sales strategy revolves around promising to bring production of the aircraft to the United States and highlighting the potential for new job opportunities and construction projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;The airplane will be produced in the United States. It will have an excess of 75 percent U.S. content. It talks completely to the president\u2019s \u2018Made in America\u2019 strategy,\u201d said Ichikowitz, who declined to comment on which U.S. company will produce it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s important to note that we are not specifically fielding the Bronco II in America only for OA-X. The OA-X program is a big program, it\u2019s a complicated program, it\u2019s already quite advanced, and we see many other use cases for the airplane besides OA-X,\u201d he said, citing opportunities in the special operations and border patrol communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/air\/2018\/05\/18\/light-attack-aircraft-why-stop-there\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/4095422.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Warthog replacement anyone? Former Air Force officers say to think beyond light attack aircraft<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">An attack aircraft revival may be coming soon to the Air Force.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If selected as the winner for OA-X, Aero Vodochody would also build its L-39 or F\/A-259 aircraft in the United States, said Giordo. It plans to announce a U.S. prime contractor at the same time the Air Force launches a competition, and that firm would not only be responsible for overseeing the production aspects of the aircraft but also the logistics and sustainment services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe will produce the aircraft in the United States of America, but we have also to consider the transition of the production capability that will not add risk to the program,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Giordo believes Aero could stand up a U.S. production facility in about a year and would manufacture the first 14 or so aircraft in the Czech Republic before transitioning to the U.S. line.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Foreign defense companies want a piece of OA-X, but they could be too late.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":60377,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":87,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":{"4":{"categories":["news","daily-news-roundup","newsletters","middle-column","home"],"primary_category":"news"}}},"categories":[7,160,29,162,87,12,36],"tags":[],"coauthors":[3384],"class_list":["post-28126","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-air","category-daily-news-roundup","category-digital-show-dailies","category-digital-show-daily","category-farnborough","category-industry","category-newsletters"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"LTR77AFOLNFTDOPZ5XZEGIXXWI","arc_canonical_url":"\/digital-show-dailies\/farnborough\/2018\/07\/19\/could-one-of-these-foreign-aircraft-be-the-air-forces-next-light-attack-plane\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented By:"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Could one of these foreign aircraft be the US Air Force\u2019s next light-attack plane? - Defense News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Foreign defense companies want a piece of OA-X, but they could be too late.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Could one of these foreign aircraft be the US Air Force\u2019s next light-attack plane?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Foreign defense companies want a piece of OA-X, but they could be too late.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" 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