{"id":39606,"date":"2019-01-30T20:11:03","date_gmt":"2019-01-30T20:11:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2019\/01\/30\/the-air-forces-light-attack-experiment-could-be-expanded-to-feature-drones-helicopters-and-more-aircraft\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T23:18:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:18:03","slug":"the-air-forces-light-attack-experiment-could-be-expanded-to-feature-drones-helicopters-and-more-aircraft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/air\/2019\/01\/30\/the-air-forces-light-attack-experiment-could-be-expanded-to-feature-drones-helicopters-and-more-aircraft\/","title":{"rendered":"US Air Force\u2019s light-attack experiment could mix in drones and helos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">WASHINGTON \u2014The U.S. Air Force\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2018\/08\/06\/the-light-attack-aircraft-competition-will-be-down-to-two-competitors\/\" target=_blank>light-attack experiment<\/a> is set to get a lot bigger, with the service considering adding drones, helicopters and more sophisticated aircraft to the mix in the future, the service\u2019s top general told Defense News.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat is the right mix of fixed wing, rotary wing, manned and unmanned that can do the business of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2018\/05\/08\/air-force-targets-weapons-integration-logistics-in-second-round-of-light-attack-demo\/\" target=_blank>light attack<\/a>?\u201d Goldfein said in an exclusive Jan. 26 interview. \u201cWhat is the right mix and how do we bring <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/digital-show-dailies\/singapore-airshow\/2018\/02\/06\/top-us-air-force-general-hopes-to-increase-asias-interest-in-light-attack-aircraft\/\" target=_blank>allies and partners<\/a> in right now with us \u2014 not just periodically parachute in \u2014 but how do we expand this experiment to bring them into the tent with us?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the Air Force is still finalizing its strategy on light attack, Goldfein\u2019s comments hint that a lack of interest by partner nations may have shaped the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2019\/01\/18\/the-air-forces-plans-to-begin-a-light-attack-aircraft-competition-are-now-deferred-indefinitely\/\" target=_blank>decision not to press ahead<\/a> with a program of record late last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Air Force was set to issue a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2018\/12\/18\/start-of-air-forces-light-attack-plane-competition-pushed-back-until-next-year\/\" target=_blank>request for proposals in December <\/a>for a light-attack platform. The competition would been open to only the Embraer-Sierra Nevada Corp. A-29 Super Tucano and the Textron AT-6 Wolverine, two <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2018\/05\/17\/light-attack-experiment-pits-at-6-against-a-29-in-high-stakes-matchup\/\" target=_blank>fixed-wing turboprops<\/a> that the service said <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/newsletters\/tv-next-episode\/2018\/10\/01\/what-will-the-air-force-pick-for-light-attack\/\" target=_blank>were best suited<\/a> to meet the needs of the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But now, other aircraft could be joining them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Goldfein said the Air Force chose not to release that RFP for two reasons: ongoing budget uncertainty and the desire to expand the parameters of what the service is seeking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFor us to issue an RFP when we didn\u2019t [know] what the budget was &#8230; and setting an expectation that we\u2019re ready to go into source selection when we\u2019re still working our way through the strategy, in my mind, would have been irresponsible,&#8221; Goldfein said. \u201cI\u2019ve talked to both of the CEOs involved, and we want to make sure we strengthen the partnership and build it as we go forward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Goldfein added that light attack was not something that was central to what the Air Force needed, saying that it would only be funded if the money is available in upcoming budgets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Increasing interoperability has been a longtime goal of the light-attack experiments, but it appears to have taken on new importance as the experiment potentially moves forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Goldfein and other Air Force officials have spoken at length about the potential benefit of a common, off-the-shelf <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2018\/02\/02\/us-air-force-kills-combat-demo-for-light-attack-aircraft\/\" target=_blank>attack aircraft<\/a> that could be purchased by countries that can\u2019t afford the F-16, but still want to deepen ties with the U.S Air Force. Over the course of the effort, foreign delegations have been invited to observe <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2017\/08\/10\/light-attack-demo-gives-off-the-shelf-planes-the-chance-to-show-off\/\" target=_blank>flight demonstrations <\/a>of the A-29, AT-6 and other previous contenders at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, not all nations could want a turboprop aircraft like the A-29 or AT-6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSome countries, it actually would be better to have an unmanned option. Some countries, [it] would be better to have a rotary-wing option,&#8221; Goldfein said. \u201cSome countries would do fixed wing, but [only with a] <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/digital-show-dailies\/farnborough\/2018\/07\/19\/could-one-of-these-foreign-aircraft-be-the-air-forces-next-light-attack-plane\/\" target=_blank>turbojet<\/a> [engine]&#8221; instead of a turboprop.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The service is considering adding drones, helicopters and more sophisticated aircraft to the mix in the future, the service\u2019s top general told Defense 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