Hurlburt light-attack detachment

WASHINGTON - The Air Force will procure a handful of A-29 Super Tucano and AT-6 Wolverines aircraft - likely two or three of each – but the exact number would depend on the cost of the planes, Chief of Staff Gen. Dave Goldfein told lawmakers March 13 at a a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing. The purchases provide a small but needed show of confidence for the plane-makers Sierra Nevada and Textron that have made internal funding investments toward the AF’s light-attack experiment in hopes of future big buys. The AF plans to put mini-detachments of AT-6 and A-29 turboprops at Hurlburt Field, Fla. – home of the AF Special Operations Command HQ and at Nellis (Nev.) AFB. AF spokeswoman Ann Stefanek told Defense News that the service would likely buy two or three of each aircraft, but Goldfein told lawmakers that the exact numbers would depend on the costs of the planes. The Marines have “already said they’re joining us,” Goldfein told Defense News. Funding is to come from previous years’ budgets. Most of the light-attack experiment is centered on turboprops, but the AF is also interested in expanding that to include drones and rotorcraft. FY-20’s budget request calls for $35M to continue the experiment. (Source: Defense News 03/13/19)