Brazil’s Embraer Defense and Security and Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) will take part in the US Air Force's (USAF) capability assessment of non-developmental light attack platforms (OA-X).

Both companies will present the A-29 Super Tucano for the capability assessment. It is said to be the only light air support (LAS) aircraft in the world with a USAF Military Type Certificate.

The OA-X assessment is expected to begin in July at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, US.

SNC Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) business area senior vice-president Taco Gilbert said: "SNC is proud to participate in the USAF's effort to enhance warfighter support and bring greater value and affordability to the American taxpayer.

"We're proud to present the US-made, combat-proven A-29 as part of this experiment."

The operation is in line with the USAF's strategy to explore the benefits of acquiring a new, low-cost, non-developmental light attack aircraft to provide close air support and other missions in permissive and semi-permissive environments. It will also reduce fighter pilot training costs and accelerate pilot seasoning.

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Embraer Defense and Security president and CEO Jackson Schneider said: "The A-29 is uniquely suited for training and seasoning fighter pilots.

"SNC is proud to participate in the USAF's effort to enhance warfighter support and bring greater value and affordability to the American taxpayer."

"This means more highly-trained pilots more quickly and less expensively while allowing other platforms to do the work they do best."

Built by Embraer, the A-29 is currently in service with several air forces across the globe.

The turboprop aircraft can be used to perform a wide range of fighter and ISR missions.

The USAF-certified A-29 is combat-proven in Afghanistan and in theatres around the globe.


Image: A US Super Tucano in flight. Photo: courtesy of the US Air Force.