The Air Force has invited Sierra Nevada Corp. and its partner Embraer to fly in the service’s OA-X light attack experiment this summer, the companies announced Friday. The companies will fly in the experiment with the A-29 Super Tucano, which is already flown by multiple countries, including in combat by the Afghan Air Force. Sierra Nevada and Embraer join Textron in the experiment, with more companies expected to announce their participation following the Air Force’s invitation earlier this month. The Air Force has budgeted about $8 million to pay for operating the aircraft in the experiment and is looking for “shovel ready” aircraft, which means the aircraft could enter production with minimal modifications, Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein said in March.
President Donald Trump on July 4 signed into law $150 billion in defense funds as part of the tax-and-spending package known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” after congressional Republicans approved the legislation in narrow, drawn-out votes earlier this week.
