Air Force to Axe Super Tucano, Investigate Choice Of Brazilian Plane For Afghanistan -- Aol Defense
Breaking [updated 4:15 pm with new contractor responses]: The Air Force will terminate its contract to buy a new Light Air Support plane for the fledgling Afghan air force, and it will launch an investigation into the original decision to select the Brazilian-designed Super Tucano aircraft being provided by Sierra Nevada Corporation. Rival contractor Hawker Beechcraft filed suit in January after the Air Force excluded its AT-6 aircraft from the competition, getting a stop-work order imposed on the program. Since then, the two companies have been involved in a bitter press and lobbying battle, complete with bizarre rumors involving George Soros, over the merits of their aircraft and the number of jobs each would create in the U.S. But the termination announcement is an ominous new development in the troubled program and a new setback for an Air Force procurement system that has repeatedly run aground on contract disputes in recent years.
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More News On The Pentagon's Decision To Scrap The Super Tucano Purchase
Air Force investigating disputed plane contract -- Boston.com/AP
US Air Force cancels deal for Brazilian-made aircraft -- AFP
Air Force investigates contract award to Nev. company after Kan.-based Hawker Beechcraft sues -- Washington Post/AP
Air Force scraps deal with Embraer, Sierra Nevada -- Reuters
USAF Cancels Super Tucanos; Investigates -- Aviation Week
USAF reverses Tucano purchase -- Flight Global
USAF Negates Super Tucano Pick for Afghan Military -- Defense News
Sierra Nevada Corporation Responds to USAF Decision to Set Aside Award of Light Air Support Contract -- Defpro
Hawker Beechcraft Commends U.S. Air Force Decision to Reverse LAS Contract Award -- Hawker Beechcraft
My Comment: Oh oh .... someone was really miffed that this contract was originally awarded to a Brazilian firm .... not an American one. Saying that an investigation will now follow is implying that the original decision to purchase the Brazilian plane was irregular (or worse). If I was the Brazilian firm Embraer (and their U.S. partner Sierra Nevada), I would be pissed right now.