The Light Attack/Armed Reconnaissance (LAAR) program is a United States Air Force program to procure a light ground attack and reconnaissance aircraft to find, track, and attack targets on its own and in support of ground forces. The program formally began in July 2009 with a request for information, and no aircraft had been selected by February 2010. The selected aircraft is expected to enter service in 2013, and 100 aircraft are expected to be ordered. [1] This program has also been called the OA-X program or the AT-X program. [2]
The 2009 Light Attack/Armed Reconnaissance program was borne out of the need for a new close air support aircraft that was suited to the type of combat the United States was facing in post 2003-invasion Iraq and Afganistan. The close air support role was carried out by several different aircraft, including the A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and the F-15E Strike Eagle. While all of these aircraft are capable of close air support, they were not purpose built for the type of support needed by ground troops in these conflicts, making them an expensive and less effective solution. [2]
For example, these aircraft often do not have the loiter time needed for these missions and require aerial refueling support, making their missions more expensive. Additionally, long loiter missions use up an airframes service life faster than expected, requiring replacement. This may cause issues in the future as some aircraft, such as the A-10, are out of production and cannot be replaced. [2]
To solve this problem, the United States Air Force released a Request for Information (RFI) on July 27, 2009 requesting details of a possible Light Attack/Armed Reconnaissance aircraft that could be outfitted to specific requirements (see Requirements below) and enter into service in 2013. [1] A more detailed Request for Proposals (RFP) had not been released by February 2010.
Also in 2009, the United States Air Force released a request for another light attack aircraft, this time for a light attack / trainer aircraft for the Afghan National Army Air Corps. This request is separate from the LAAR program, but the two requests have many of same requirements. [3]
The selected LAAR aircraft will have to meet several key requirements, including:
Desired traits (but not requirements) include:
The AT-6B is a light attack variant of the T-6 Texan II trainer aircraft used by the United State Air Force, and as such, it is considered to be a favorite for LAAR program. [4]
The Embraer Super Tucano is a light attack and reconnaissance aircraft that is already in use by several nations. [5] In fact, the United States Navy has already leased several of the aircraft to evaluate their suitability in support of special operations missions. [6]
Boeing has revealed that they are working on an updated version of their OV-10 Bronco aircraft, currently called the OV-10X. The updated Vietnam War-era aircraft is expected to fly by late 2010. [7]
The Light Attack/Armed Reconnaissance (LAAR) program is a United States Air Force program to procure a light ground attack and reconnaissance aircraft to find, track, and attack targets on its own and in support of ground forces. The program formally began in July 2009 with a request for information, and no aircraft had been selected by February 2010. The selected aircraft is expected to enter service in 2013, and 100 aircraft are expected to be ordered. [1] This program has also been called the OA-X program or the AT-X program. [2]
The 2009 Light Attack/Armed Reconnaissance program was borne out of the need for a new close air support aircraft that was suited to the type of combat the United States was facing in post 2003-invasion Iraq and Afganistan. The close air support role was carried out by several different aircraft, including the A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and the F-15E Strike Eagle. While all of these aircraft are capable of close air support, they were not purpose built for the type of support needed by ground troops in these conflicts, making them an expensive and less effective solution. [2]
For example, these aircraft often do not have the loiter time needed for these missions and require aerial refueling support, making their missions more expensive. Additionally, long loiter missions use up an airframes service life faster than expected, requiring replacement. This may cause issues in the future as some aircraft, such as the A-10, are out of production and cannot be replaced. [2]
To solve this problem, the United States Air Force released a Request for Information (RFI) on July 27, 2009 requesting details of a possible Light Attack/Armed Reconnaissance aircraft that could be outfitted to specific requirements (see Requirements below) and enter into service in 2013. [1] A more detailed Request for Proposals (RFP) had not been released by February 2010.
Also in 2009, the United States Air Force released a request for another light attack aircraft, this time for a light attack / trainer aircraft for the Afghan National Army Air Corps. This request is separate from the LAAR program, but the two requests have many of same requirements. [3]
The selected LAAR aircraft will have to meet several key requirements, including:
Desired traits (but not requirements) include:
The AT-6B is a light attack variant of the T-6 Texan II trainer aircraft used by the United State Air Force, and as such, it is considered to be a favorite for LAAR program. [4]
The Embraer Super Tucano is a light attack and reconnaissance aircraft that is already in use by several nations. [5] In fact, the United States Navy has already leased several of the aircraft to evaluate their suitability in support of special operations missions. [6]
Boeing has revealed that they are working on an updated version of their OV-10 Bronco aircraft, currently called the OV-10X. The updated Vietnam War-era aircraft is expected to fly by late 2010. [7]