The U.S. Air Force has awarded a contract for two A-29 light attack aircraft to a Sierra Nevada/Embraer team, the Pentagon announced Feb. 26.
The overall $129 million value of the award includes two aircraft, support services and the cost of continued experiments.
The Air Force decided to buy two A-29s for further experimentation after canceling a planned acquisition of up to 350 Light Air Support aircraft.
Both A-29s will be delivered to U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) at Hurlburt Field, Florida.
Separately, the Air Force also plans to buy one to three AT-6Cs made by Textron. The acquisition, which was delayed to adjudicate a since-resolved protest action filed by Air Tractor, will support continued light attack aircraft experiments by Air Combat Command at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
Meanwhile, SOCOM has launched a program to acquire up to 76 light attack aircraft for a newly defined Armed Overwatch requirement. Sierra Nevada, Textron, Air Tractor, Iomax and an Aero/BoreSight team have confirmed plans to attend an Armed Overwatch industry day to be hosted by SOCOM in March.
