Urge SecDef Gates To Consider U.S. Aircraft

Two members of Congress have written a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates asking him to confirm or deny discussions with Embraer about the purchase of 100 Super Tucano Light Attack Aircraft from the Brazilian manufacturer.

Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Representative Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) said in the letter they opposed any negotiations with Embraer for the Super Tucano, saying it would possibly damage U.S. manufacturer Hawker Beechcraft.  HBC makes the AT-6B in Kansas.

Brownback and Tiahrt released a joint statement including the text of the letter sent to Gates. In that letter, the Kansas lawmakers said "such an agreement would supersede, or at least pre-judge, an ongoing Air Force review of platforms which may be capable of performing a Light Attack and Armed Reconnaissance (LAAR) mission. Furthermore, the United States Government has made a substantial investment in the development of a U.S.-produced LAAR platform, the Hawker-Beechcraft AT-6B.  For the Government to now refuse to allow this U.S. manufacturer to even compete for the LAAR or any similar contract will certainly draw strong objections from Congress and the American people."

Sen. Sam Brownback

But most important, they said, was the potential damage to a U.S. Company. "In this current aviation manufacturing crisis, it would be unconscionable for the Department to take any steps towards procuring or leasing a foreign aircraft when a U.S.-made option is readily available for any competition that may result from the AOA."

Rep. Todd Tiahrt

Tiahrt and Brownback have asked Secretary Gates to answer several questions, including whether the negotiations are taking place, whether the Department of Defense intends to conduct a "free and open competition to procure a LAAR aircraft," and "What would be the impact to the U.S. industrial base for a foreign competitor instead of a U.S. manufacturer to secure this contract for a LAAR aircraft?"

FMI: http://tiahrt.house.gov