One of These Planes Will Be the Air Force's New Light Attack Aircraft

The OA-X aircraft will provide U.S. troops with close air support over distant battlefields.

U.S. Air Force Photo by Ethan D. Wagner


Here's a video of the three planes undergoing testing:

The program, known as the Light Attack Experiment, is basically a fly-off between the four planes to determine which best fits the Air Force's requirements. The Air Force wants an observation and attack (OA-X) plane that can fly over battlefields with minimal air defense threats (think of the fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan or Islamic State forces in Syria and Iraq) and not only provide firepower on demand to ground forces, but also scout ahead and gather intelligence on enemy forces.The aircraft would not be suitable for fighting countries like Russia and China that deploy advanced, fully modern air defense systems.

Textron Scorpion conducting handling and flying quality maneuvers above White Sands Missile Range.
U.S. Air Force Photo by Christopher Okula

Basically, USAF wants a manned aircraft that can act as both a weapon and sensor platform, and is inexpensive to boot. Previously, the Air Force has used everything from A-10 Thunderbolt II attack jets to B-1B bombers in the close air support role. These aircraft are often an overmatch for chasing guerrillas, and they're also extremely expensive to fly: a B-1B costs $61,000 an hour to fly, while the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, which the Air Force has designated the A-10's successor, costs $42,000 an hour.

Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson with the AT-802U aircraft.
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Alexis Docherty

Whichever plane wins OA-X, it should be cheaper to buy (the Textron Scorpion costs just $20 million versus the F-35A's $90+ million) and also cheaper to fly. The Scorpion costs just $3,000 an hour to operate. Over 1,000 flight hours, that's a difference in operating costs of $39 million versus the F-35A—the equivalent of nearly two entire Scorpions. Even compared to the relatively inexpensive A-10, the Scorpion is $14 million cheaper over 1,000 hours. The other three contestants, being propeller-driven aircraft, are likely similarly inexpensive.

The OA-X aircraft may end up being cheaper, but it won't lack for features. All four aircraft feature wing and fuselage hardpoints for carrying a combination of weapons and fuel stores, including laser-guided bombs for striking targets with precision. While OA-X won't have the A-10's famous GAU-8/A 30-millimeter gun, it could carry a lighter caliber gun pod. OA-X will almost certainly have a dedicated sensor pod. Half of the contestants have the L-3 MX-15Di sensor pod, allowing them to detect enemies targets at long ranges, including at night.

Beechcraft AT-6.
U.S. Air Force Photo by Ethan D. Wagner

How would OA-X operate in wartime? A OA-X aircraft could loiter in an area where troops are likely to face contact with the enemy. Once it gets the call, it could use its sensor pod to quickly figure out where friendly and enemy troops are. It would operate at altitudes greater than 10,000 feet to avoid shoulder-fired surface to air missiles, dropping laser-guided bombs on enemy forces marked by forward air controllers on the ground with lasers. Laser-guided rockets such as the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System are another option. Dropping below 10,000 feet, gun runs with weapons such as the GAU-19/A three-barrel .50 caliber Gatling gun are an option (the AT-802U, for example, can carry two at once.)

The OA-X project has the backing of the Air Force and Congress. Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee John McCain has authorized $1.2 billion over 5 years to purchase up to 300 aircraft. The requirement, will to acquire the planes, and the dollars are all there. Unless all four wash out of the competition, it seems a certainty that one of them will win out and become the Air Force's next light attack jet.

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