There is push back from the Air Force for getting special forces a light attack aircraft right now. Or is that just a short-term goal to kill the plane?
Next year for sure, right guys?
Earlier this year, Special Operations Command (SOCOM) announced a new contract solicitation to eventually buy 75 manned aircraft for Armed Overwatch for special operations missions. The command asked for $106 million in its fiscal 2021 budget request for the proposal.
But AFSOC commander Lt. Gen. James Slife said recently that, while congressional committees understand the overall need for Armed Overwatch, they may not be convinced that fiscal 2021 is the time to buy new aircraft. ...
SOCOM's light-attack push came after the Air Force remained noncommittal on its own light-attack endeavor.
The Air Force still isn't buying anything and doesn't seem to want SOCOM to buy any.
Not that the Air Force wants to provide the capability that the light attack aircraft would provide. The Air Force just doesn't want competition for money to build fighter aircraft.
As I wrote some time ago, the Air Force just pretended to want a light dedicated ground support aircraft until it could kill the A-10, which is the last remnant of Air Force dedicated close air support for ground troops.
