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.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.