Sierra Nevada, with team member Embraer of Brazil, has once again defeated Beech-craft for the U.S. Air Force's Light Air Support aircraft contract for the young Afghan defense forces. The aircraft will be used for flight-training, close air support, intelligence-collection and other security missions. The $427.5 million deal calls for delivery of 20 aircraft to Afghanistan beginning in the summer of 2014, a slight adjustment to earlier plans for handover in early 2014 as a result of the procurement slip. With a production rate of two aircraft per month, the last is due in Afghanistan in April 2015. Prompt delivery is critical, as these aircraft are to be left behind for Afghan forces when the U.S. pulls troops out of Afghanistan in 2014.
展开▼
