Parabéns! Ainda querem os F-18? 
Mais uma vez a CANALHICE americana em todo o seu esplendor! Como é que há gente que ainda canta ossanas e se ajoelha diante destes aldrabões é coisa que merecia um estudo sociológico 
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Air Force Investigating Disputed Plane Contract (edited excerpt)
(Source: Associated Press; published Feb. 28, 2012)
WICHITA, Kan. --- The U.S. Air Force said Tuesday it plans to rescind a disputed $354 million contract for a light air support plane and open an investigation into the award, saying it was not satisfied with documentation supporting the decision.
…/…
On Tuesday, the Air Force said it advised the Department of Justice that it will take corrective action and set aside the contract to Sierra Nevada effective March 2.
Citing the ongoing litigation, Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley would only say that David Van Buren, the Air Force's senior acquisition executive, is not satisfied with the documentation supporting the award decision.
"While we pursue perfection, we sometimes fall short, and when we do we will take corrective action," Donley said in an emailed statement.
Gen. Donald Hoffman, commander of the Air Force Material Command, has initiated an investigation into the matter, the Air Force said. (end of excerpt)
Click here for the full story, on the ABC news website.
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Hawker Beechcraft Commends U.S. Air Force Decision to Reverse LAS Contract Award
(Source: Hawker Beechcraft; issued February 28, 2012)
WICHITA, Kan. --- Hawker Beechcraft today received notice that the U.S. Air Force will set aside the contract previously awarded to Sierra Nevada/Embraer for the Afghanistan Light Air Support (LAS) competition, effective March 2, 2012, and reinstate Hawker Beechcraft Defense Company to the competitive range under the procurement.
"We commend the Air Force for this decision and we believe strongly it is the right thing for the Air Force, the taxpayers and the people of Hawker Beechcraft," said Bill Boisture, Chairman, Hawker Beechcraft Corporation. "We look forward to competing for this contract as this important initiative moves forward.
"This LAS competition is about much more than 20 aircraft for Afghanistan or a billion dollar contract," Boisture added. "It is about the U.S. Air Force's ability to build relationships with U.S. partner nations around the world for a generation to come. We continue to believe the American manufactured AT-6 is the right aircraft for this critical United States mission."
The Beechcraft AT-6 is the most capable, affordable, sustainable and interoperable light attack aircraft in the world today. The aircraft has proven that it can accomplish the entire mission spectrum described in the LAS competition and more. Importantly, the AT-6 has class-leading weapons capabilities including NATO-standard unguided munitions, laser guided bombs and laser guided air-to-ground missiles. Additionally, the AT-6 is the first and only fixed-wing aircraft to have integrated and successfully employed 2.75" laser guided rockets.
Hawker Beechcraft is grateful to have the support of its employees, concerned Americans, members of the flying military and policy makers from across the United States.
The AT-6 is a world-class, light attack aircraft that has been evaluated and proven capable through a multi-year, Congressionally-funded program led by the Air National Guard. The benefits of the AT-6 include the following important factors:
--The AT-6 is designed and manufactured in the U.S. to be used by the U.S. and its allies.
--Keeping this contract in the U.S. will help preserve 1,400 domestic jobs at 181 companies in 39 states.
--The AT-6 draws its heritage from the airframe of the number-one training aircraft in the world, the Beechcraft T-6. The company has built more than 740 T-6 aircraft, which are used to train every fixed-wing military pilot in the United States and are successfully operated by six allied air forces around the world. The graduation to the AT-6 light attack airplane would be a natural progression.
--The AT-6 is the sum of the Air Force's proven T-6, A-10C mission system and MC-12W sensor suite, which offers the Department of Defense logistics and cost efficiencies that no other aircraft in the competition can match.
--The weapons and avionics systems included on the AT-6 are familiar to NATO allies and have been proven effective on many continents and in other NATO aircraft.
Hawker Beechcraft is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special mission, light attack and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company's headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers. (ends)
Statement of Sierra Nevada Corporation on U.S. Air Force Decision to Set Aside Award of Light Air Support Contract
(Source: Sierra Nevada Corp.; issued Feb. 28, 2012)
SPARKS, Nevada --- Taco Gilbert, Ret. USAF Brigadier General, and Vice President of ISR Business Development at Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) issued the following statement in response to the announcement by the U.S. Air Force that it will set aside the contract issued in December for Light Air Support capabilities (LAS):
"We are disappointed by this decision. We offered the U.S. Air Force a fully proven and cost-effective Light Air Support solution – and one that would be made in America, create and support American jobs and result in economic investment in the U.S. We know that our submission fully met the requirements of the U.S Air Force Request for Proposal (RFP) and that Sierra Nevada Corporation fully complied with the RFP process as set out by the U.S. Air Force.
"Today's announcement only further delays the effort to get critical capabilities into the hands of our men and women in uniform and our coalition partners in-theatre. It also stymies efforts to create jobs and economic development at a time when our economy needs the boost.
"SNC and our team remain ready to get to work on this important contract. The A-29 Super Tucano, made in America, is the only plane that is capable today of meeting the requirements of the LAS mission. Nothing changes the fact that the war-fighter needs this capability immediately."
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is one of America's fastest growing private companies based on its significant expansion and reputation for rapid, innovative, and agile technology solutions in electronics, aerospace, avionics, space, propulsion, micro-satellite, aircraft, communications systems and solar energy. SNC employs over 2,100 people in 31 locations in 16 states. (ends)
Communiqué: Light Air Support (LAS) Program
(Source: Embraer; issued February 28, 2012)
SÃO PAULO, Brazil --- Embraer regrets today’s announcement by the US Air Force, to set aside the contract award related to the Afghanistan Light Air Support program (LAS).
Along with its US partner, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Embraer participated in the LAS selection process providing, on time and without exceptions, all the required documentation.
The decision in favor of the Super Tucano, announced on December 30, 2011 by the U.S. Air Force, was a choice for the best product with proven performance in action and all the necessary capabilities to meet client demands.
Embraer remains committed to offer the best solution to the US Air Force and will await further clarification on the subject to decide next steps, in consultation with its partner, SNC.
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http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articl ... ation.html
