User:Fnlayson/A-67 Dragon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Type | Ground Attack aircraft |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | US Aircraft Corporation |
| Status | In development |
| Primary user | Iraq Air Force |
The US Aircraft A-67 Dragon is a single-engine, propeller-driven, ground attack aircraft. It is designed for counter-insurgency (COIN), close air support (CAS), and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.[1] The A-67 is a low cost aircraft built for low intensity conflict situations.
[edit] Development
- TEXT 1
The USAF officials would like to provide the Iraqi government with a two-seat, turboprop aircraft that would help fight insurgencies and terrorist operations. The USAF first posted a listing for contractor bids in May 2007.
The A-67 Dragon is a cost-efficient, mission-specific design aircraft that combines survivability, maintainability, and durability. The all-metal, high-performance aircraft is designed for counter-insurgency (COIN), close air support, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions incorporating the latest in aerospace design. The A-67 Dragon is not a trainer conversion, but made specifically for the mission. US Aircraft provides aircraft that meet unique challenges within military markets. US Aircraft has numerous strategic partnerships with Ohio Universities, NASA Glenn Research Center, and organizations at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Currently, two prototypes have been developed and flown. Production units of the A-67 will be available in spring of 2009.
US Aircraft Corporation headquartered in Akron, Ohio is developing the A-67 Dragon to meet government and military requirements for combating counterinsurgency and irregular warfare. According to the recent publication of the Irregular Warfare Doctrine for the US Air Force, “Part of the Air Force’s mission prior to an IW campaign or in an effort to avoid an IW campaign, should be to enable a PN’s airpower capability to include personnel training; building infrastructure for logistics, support, and sustainment; and platforms to conduct air operations.”(p. 75) US Aircraft Corporation is building a specific platform to conduct air operations for the Irregular Warfare.
- TEXT 2
In 2003 Mr. Williams began working with retired Air Force pilot General Brigadier Charles Jones on aircraft maintenance issues. As they worked on identifying solutions, discussions arose about limitations in military aircraft, specifically for Second and Third World allied countries. General Jones worked with various allied countries to help identify aircraft part suppliers to maintain the worn-out fleets. It was brought to Mr. Williams’ attention that after WWII the United States had given its allies hand-me down aircraft in order to establish their own air fleets. Since that time the United States continued to advance its own aircraft and no longer used the older models, such as the A-37 or F-5. This caused reductions and eventually elimination of specific aircraft parts to service the older models. The increases in technology proved successful and adequate for the U.S. but caused financial strains on other countries, making it virtually impossible to buy and or maintain new aircraft.
Limitations of United States aircraft were also becoming evident. The enemy was no longer in the air, reducing the need to maintain air superiority with fighter jets. Today’s enemy travels on foot or in vehicles armed with weapons for close range attacks. The need for border patrol also increased with a rise in terrorism and illegal drug trafficking. Aviation Week noted that the Pentagon has taken notice of these changes and is interested in developing a dedicated counter-insurgency operations (COIN) fleet and capability. A Request for Information, which was released in 2005 also confirmed that there is an interest for a new type of aircraft, specifically with commercial-off-the-shelf products.
In order to identify a solution, Mr. Williams and General Jones formed an advisory team. The team was made up of seven retired Air Force personnel, with expertise in areas such as operations, logistics, tactics, training, flight test, human factors and displays, maintenance and combat. Edward Luttwak, Senior Advisor for the Center for Strategic International Studies was also added to the team to give additional insight on the international market.
By 2006 US Aircraft Corporation released the A-67 for its first test flight. The A-67 was designed to be cost effective, easy to maintain and versatile for use in various missions. It will have the ability to meet close air support needs without the expense, training and maintenance current markets provide. Some of its key cost saving features is the skin, large fuel capacity, excellent load and horse capabilities and a lighter yet durable airframe. Its university and research center partners will be working with the corporation to research, develop and incorporate three new advanced technologies.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- US Aircraft A-67 web page
- A-67Counterinsurgency Aircraft on globaldownlink.com
- "Dubai 2007: USAC seeking launch customer for low-cost Dragon", Flight Daily News, 13 November 2007.
- "New ISR/attack aircraft emerges in Ohio", C4ISR Journal, January 16, 2007.
- "Warbird specialist flies A-67 Dragon", Flight International, 24 October 2006.
- "A-67 Dragon counter-insurgency aircraft quietly makes first flight", Flight Global, 18 October 2006.
Category:Propeller aircraft Category:International attack aircraft 2000-2009
