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Posted

I can't support my point on an open forum, we'll just have to disagree on this one.

You can't support your point in any forum. You'll have to be wrong on this one.

Guest CAVEMAN
Posted

I can't support my point on an open forum, we'll just have to disagree on this one.

Do you understand the expected mission set? I went back to read you previous post and don't think I could follow it.

Posted

Hmm... So a retired USAF general speaking for a competitor (i.e., winner by default) in a lucrative government contract (within 13 months of retiring)?

Nothing to see here.

  • Upvote 1
Posted

All if this is just grand when you're in a permissive environment.

Different story entirely when they're actually shooting back at you.

Posted

All if this is just grand when you're in a permissive environment.

Different story entirely when they're actually shooting back at you.

Same as an AC-130, right?

Niche aircraft, threat and mission.

Looks like fun to fly.

Posted

All if this is just grand when you're in a permissive environment.

Different story entirely when they're actually shooting back at you.

Yeah, I mean how could a low and slow flying aircraft could ever work.

Posted

Hawker is pising in the wind. No comparison between the Super T. Incidently, it will be manufactured in FL. to quell those "Taking jobs away and George Soros connection rumors....

Posted

Big surprise, Fox News is spinning this as a political move, tacitly implicating the President while painting Brazil as the next Axis of Evil pledge. Fox also doesn't seem to understand the difference between the 750 "Hawkers" we've already bought and a light attack aircraft.

Posted

"Hawker Beechcraft CEO Bill Boisture told AVweb.com that the Defense Department constantly changed bid criteria and processes without properly notifying his company and then excluded it just days before the award."

Sounds like the VSP.

Posted (edited)

50 jobs in FL, or 100's of jobs in Wichita? Tough call.

Endanger American aircrews by purchasing an inferior product to "employ" a few dozen people and bailout Goldman Sachs once again, or just buy the best aircraft and not let politics interfere. Tough call.

Edited by NEflyer
  • Upvote 1
  • 4 weeks later...
Posted

Big surprise, Fox News is spinning this as a political move, tacitly implicating the President while painting Brazil as the next Axis of Evil pledge. Fox also doesn't seem to understand the difference between the 750 "Hawkers" we've already bought and a light attack aircraft.

UPDATE:

Sierra Nevada Corporation Corrects the Record on U.S. AIR FORCE LIGHT AIR SUPPORT PROGRAM

Misinformation and Legal Wrangling Delaying Mission-Critical A-29 Super Tucano for American Warfighters in Afghanistan

SPARKS, NV, February 2, 2012 – Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), the winner of the U.S. Air Force Light Air Support (LAS) competition, today issued a point-by-point rebuttal of misinformation being spread by the disqualified contender for the contract.

The LAS contract provides aircraft, training and support for the U.S. government’s partner building efforts in Afghanistan and other nations. The aircraft is urgently needed to support aerial reconnaissance and light air operations in Afghanistan, as well as to develop the organic capability needed to complete the United State’s counterinsurgency mission in Afghanistan. On Dec. 22, 2011, the U.S. Air Force awarded the LAS contract to SNC, having earlier disqualified the other contender for the contract, Hawker Beechcraft, as being not in the competitive range based on the finding that “multiple deficiencies and significant weaknesses found in [Hawker Beechcraft’s] proposal make it technically unacceptable and results in unacceptable mission capability risk.” Since that time, Hawker Beechcraft has undertaken a massive misinformation campaign, challenged the integrity of the U.S. Air Force contracting process, questioned the intentions of the Obama Administration, and used litigation to stop work on the contract.

“It is essential that the full facts of this situation are presented clearly and transparently to the American public. There is too much at stake,” said Fatih Ozmen, CEO of Sierra Nevada Corporation. “The people who are paying the price of this reckless and irresponsible behavior are the American taxpayer and the American warfighter. Sierra Nevada Corporation and our partners are honored by this award and the opportunity to serve our country as we remain ready to get to work on the LAS contract.”

In its Request for Proposal, the Air Force specifically sought a non-developmental, in-production aircraft so that warfighters in-theater could have an advanced solution quickly and so that American taxpayers would not have to pay development costs. The plane proposed by SNC’s competitor is a developmental aircraft that is not in production and has never been used for light air support or any other purpose.

In contrast, the aircraft selected by the Air Force and to be provided by SNC, Embraer’s A-29 Super Tucano, is a light air support aircraft that is currently in use with six air forces around the world. This aircraft will be made in America by American workers. More than 88 percent of the dollar value of the A-29 Super Tucano comes from components supplied by American companies or countries that qualify under the Buy America Act. The aircraft will be built in Jacksonville, Florida creating at least 50 new high tech jobs and supporting another 1,200+ jobs across the country.

“It’s unfortunate that the truth is being sacrificed for the self interests of Hawker Beechcraft and its owners a Canadian company, Onex, and an investment bank, Goldman Sachs. Hawker Beechcraft is using aggressive media and lobbying tactics to fight the Air Force decision instead of letting the Court decide this issue in due course. These delaying tactics are having the greatest effect on our fellow Americans currently engaged in combat operations. They need the capability that only the A-29 can provide. The delay also is preventing the creation of jobs at a time when there is an urgent need to put Americans to work,” said Taco Gilbert, Ret. USAF Brigadier General, and Vice President of ISR Business Development at SNC.

“Unbelievably, this is the second time that Hawker Beechcraft has prevented a light air support aircraft that has been thoroughly evaluated by our military from going forward to support our troops in need. Urgent requests for the A-29 from Afghanistan continue to languish because Hawker cannot provide an acceptable capability, but will not let anyone else provide it either,” Gilbert said.

In a separate and unusual action in the midst of a legal proceeding, the USAF issued a fact sheet on the LAS acquisition process and specifically countered claims by Hawker Beechcraft that it has not received information regarding the evaluation of their proposal.

The point-by-point rebuttal of the misinformation being spread about the LAS contract is below. It and other information can also be found at www.builtforthemission.com/presskit.php.

Posted

I bet the Tucano goes the way of the C-27J... Time to shrink yet again so a few years from now we can expand. Of course I thought we were already done with the cuts from a few years back. At the rate we're going there ain't gonna be anything left to fly except Microsoft Office

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

I can't believe it. The AF fvcked up another acquisition. The SECAF has cancelled the Super Tucano contract, invalidated the competition, and started an investigation into improper activities surrounding the Light Attack Aircraft program.

“While we pursue perfection, we sometimes fall short, and when we do we will take corrective action,” says Air Force Secretary Michael Donley in a statement. Citing the ongoing litigation, he adds, “I can only say Air Force Senior Acquisition Executive David Van Buren is not satisfied with the quality of the documentation supporting the award decision.”

Posted

So we're condemning 200 A-10s, closing 3 Hawg units, and not getting the Tucano?

It's cool guys, the F-35 will pick up the slack with it's huge cannon capacity....

UFB

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