Wed, Feb 29, 2012
Says Questions About Documentation Caused The Abrupt
Cancellation
The Air Force has cancelled its $355 million contract with
Embraer for 20 Super Tucano aircraft that it had awarded December
31st effective Friday. The contract award, which is still being
litigated, will be investigated.
Super Tucano File Photo
"While we pursue perfection, we sometimes fall short, and when
we do we will take corrective action," Air Force Secretary Michael
Donley said in a statement, according to Reuters. "Since the
acquisition is still in litigation, I can only say that the Air
Force Senior Acquisition Executive, David Van Buren, is not
satisfied with the quality of the documentation supporting the
award decision."
“We are disappointed by this decision," said Taco Gilbert,
Ret. USAF Brigadier General, and Vice President of ISR Business
Development at Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC). "We offered the
U.S. Air Force a fully proven and cost-effective Light Air Support
solution – and one that would be made in America, create and
support American jobs and result in economic investment in the
U.S. We know that our submission fully met the requirements
of the U.S Air Force Request for Proposal (RFP) and that Sierra
Nevada Corporation fully complied with the RFP process as set out
by the U.S. Air Force.
“Today’s announcement only further delays the effort
to get critical capabilities into the hands of our men and women in
uniform and our coalition partners in-theatre. It also
stymies efforts to create jobs and economic development at a time
when our economy needs the boost. SNC and our team remain ready to
get to work on this important contract. The A-29 Super Tucano, made
in America, is the only plane that is capable today of meeting the
requirements of the LAS mission. Nothing changes the fact that the
war-fighter needs this capability immediately.”
HBC AT-6
Hawker Beechcraft praised the decision in a statement released
to the media. “We commend the Air Force for this decision and
we believe strongly it is the right thing for the Air Force, the
taxpayers and the people of Hawker Beechcraft,” said Bill
Boisture, Chairman, Hawker Beechcraft Corporation. “We look
forward to competing for this contract as this important initiative
moves forward.
“This LAS competition is about much more than 20 aircraft for
Afghanistan or a billion dollar contract,” Boisture added.
“It is about the U.S. Air Force’s ability to build
relationships with U.S. partner nations around the world for a
generation to come. We continue to believe the American
manufactured AT-6 is the right aircraft for this critical United
States mission.”
Hawker Beechcraft said it is grateful to have the support of "its
employees, concerned Americans, members of the flying military and
policy makers from across the United States."
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