US Special Ops Command awards "Armed Overwatch" contract

[Slater]

Can't say that I'm very familiar with this particular aircraft. I thought Super Tucano would be the preferred choice:

 

https://www.l3harris.com/newsroom/press-release/2022/08/l3harris-and-air-tractor-sky-warden-team-selected-ussocom-armed

[Navy Bird]

It's based on the Air Tractor AT-802 which started out as an agricultural and fire fighting aircraft back in the 90s. Military versions are used by many countries for counter-insurgency and counter-drug operations. The first military version flew in 2008.

 

 

Cheers,

Bill

[GMK]

The endurance of this is bonkers. Can stay aloft for hours & hours. The whole platform is optimised for efficiency. 

[Navy Bird]

11 hours ago, GMK said:

The endurance of this is bonkers. Can stay aloft for hours & hours. The whole platform is optimised for efficiency. 

 

And with all those screens in the cabin, you can stream Netflix whilst you're hunting for drug smugglers.   

 

Cheers,

Bill

[Slater]

And I'm sure it has uber-countermeasures to outwit MANPADS and other unpleasant things.

[exdraken]

14 hours ago, Slater said:

And I'm sure it has uber-countermeasures to outwit MANPADS and other unpleasant things.

For sure... that is why the airforce wants yo get rid of the A-10... 😉

Works brilliantly obviously...

That must be for the most low intensity conflict possible only.... 

[11bravo]

Typical of the American philosophy of being eminently prepared to fight the last war, not the next.   

[Giorgio N]

18 hours ago, 11bravo said:

Typical of the American philosophy of being eminently prepared to fight the last war, not the next.   

 

Not really, these aircraft will simply cover a niche role for SOCOM. This command is still very involved in low-intensity war missions of various types around the world and the experience of other countries has shown the usefulness of this kind of platform, makes sense to introduce them in the small numbers discussed here.

 

In general really the US have done more than all other countries put together to innovate air warfare in the last 50 years, I can't see how they could be accused of preparing for the wars of yesterday.... judging by the recent events it's other countries that are still fighting the wars of 70 years ago.

[Sierra Mike Sierra]

30 minutes ago, Giorgio N said:

the US have done more than all other countries put together to innovate air warfare in the last 50 years

So true. And the U.S. is the only (Western) country that prepares its military to be able fight very different kind of wars / conflicts.

[Slater]

I think that you could probably call fixed-wing gunships a niche role. The USAF has had the lead in this capability since Vietnam.

Edited August 8, 2022 by Slater

[Sierra Mike Sierra]

5 hours ago, Slater said:

a niche role.

Yes, indeed. But I am not aware of any other air force fondly nurturing this niche capablities as the USAF.

[Slater]

3 hours ago, Sierra Mike Sierra said:

Yes, indeed. But I am not aware of any other air force fondly nurturing this niche capablities as the USAF.

Gunships have intervened and saved more than a few lives over the decades. 

[Giorgio N]

Gunships and other assets are niche platforms that the USAF can afford to operate thanks to the massive US defence budget. With that kind of money it's possible to develop, train and field units that end up being called into action only in very specific missions, without that budget it's not possible. No other western air force can imagine to spare a dozen Hercules of similar aircraft, figure that would be a not so small chunk of for example the whole RAF tactical transport force. Not forgetting that while gunships may seem simple aircraft they are actually quite expensive because of their sensor suite. All other air forces have to support their troops through other means.

SOCOM is also a command with quite large funding (and in the past this kind of funding has sparked controversy), no surprise that they can get a lot of "toys" they want.

In the end we should never forget that the US defence budget is larger than that of the 10 following countries put together, including countries like China and Russia. The UK spends less than 10% of the US budget, no surprise they can't afford the same kind of things

[Slater]

Oh certainly. AC-130's are fiendishly expensive. But they have come in handy over the decades.

[GMK]

11 hours ago, Slater said:

Oh certainly. AC-130's are fiendishly expensive. But they have come in handy over the decades.

That’s why the Marines’ palletised gunship stuff is so interesting. The KC-130J Harvest Hawk package is comparatively dirt cheap. 

[11bravo]

11 hours ago, Slater said:

Oh certainly. AC-130's are fiendishly expensive. But they have come in handy over the decades.

Against cavemen with AK-47's and RPG's.   Even then, they were restricted to only flying at night.    They have their uses but against a near peer state, those hugely expensive assets, with their superbly trained crews, are going to spend the conflict on the ground, in the US.   But - as noted above, since we are spending a ridiculous amount of our GNP on the military, we can afford it, along with weaponized crop dusters, LCS ships and dozens of other programs of dubious value.  

[Slater]

It's been speculated that drones could take over their missions.