Hawker Beechcraft Corp. has started work on a second development attack version of its T-6 trainer and expects to complete by year’s end initial flight testing of the first prototype for USAF’s new Light Attack/Armed Reconnaissance aircraft, according to a company release. USAF wants to achieve initial operating capability in 2013. HBC executive Jim Maslowski likened the company’s approach with LAAR to its work on Project Liberty Aircraft (see More Liberty Aircraft on the Way), saying, “We are listening carefully to the warfighter and, together with our partners at Lockheed Martin, we are creating high-end capabilities in a low-cost, low-risk aircraft.” Potential competitors for the planned 100-aircraft LAAR program include Embraer’s Super Tucano, reportedly already under consideration by the US Navy for special operations missions, and Alenia’s M346, which Flight Global reports is also a T-38 replacement contender.
B-52 Bombers Make Rare Landing At Civilian Airport
April 18, 2024
Two B-52s assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale AFB landed at Chennault International Airport, a public airport in Lake Charles, La. on April 12 as part of the wing's Bayou Vigilance Exercise.