Accuses HBC Of 'Misinformation And Legal Wrangling' Delaying
A-29 Super Tucano Program
As the winner of the U.S. Air Force Light Air Support (LAS)
competition, Sparks, NV-Based Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) on
Thursday issued a point-by-point rebuttal of what it says is
misinformation being spread by the disqualified contender for the
contract.
According to the company, the LAS contract provides aircraft,
training and support for the U.S. government’s partner
building efforts in Afghanistan and other nations. The aircraft is
urgently needed to support aerial reconnaissance and light air
operations in Afghanistan, as well as to develop the organic
capability needed to complete the United State’s
counterinsurgency mission in Afghanistan. On Dec. 22, 2011, the
U.S. Air Force awarded the LAS contract to SNC, having earlier
disqualified the other contender for the contract, Hawker
Beechcraft, as being not in the competitive range based on the
finding that “multiple deficiencies and significant
weaknesses found in [Hawker Beechcraft’s] proposal make it
technically unacceptable and results in unacceptable mission
capability risk.” Since that time, Hawker Beechcraft
has undertaken a massive misinformation campaign, challenged the
integrity of the U.S. Air Force contracting process, questioned the
intentions of the Obama Administration, and used litigation to stop
work on the contract.
“It is essential that the full facts of this situation are
presented clearly and transparently to the American public. There
is too much at stake,” said Fatih Ozmen, CEO of Sierra Nevada
Corporation. “The people who are paying the price of this
reckless and irresponsible behavior are the American taxpayer and
the American warfighter. Sierra Nevada Corporation and our partners
are honored by this award and the opportunity to serve our country
as we remain ready to get to work on the LAS contract.”
In its Request for Proposal, the Air Force specifically sought a
non-developmental, in-production aircraft so that warfighters
in-theater could have an advanced solution quickly and so that
American taxpayers would not have to pay development costs. The
plane proposed by SNC’s competitor is a developmental
aircraft that is not in production and has never been used for
light air support or any other purpose.
In contrast, the aircraft selected by the Air Force and to be
provided by SNC, Embraer’s A-29 Super Tucano, is a light air
support aircraft that is currently in use with six air forces
around the world. This aircraft will be made in America by American
workers. More than 88 percent of the dollar value of the A-29 Super
Tucano comes from components supplied by American companies or
countries that qualify under the Buy America Act. The aircraft will
be built in Jacksonville, Florida creating at least 50 new high
tech jobs and supporting another 1,200+ jobs across the
country.
“It’s unfortunate that the truth is being sacrificed
for the self interests of Hawker Beechcraft and its owners ... a
Canadian company, Onex ... and an investment bank, Goldman Sachs.
Hawker Beechcraft is using aggressive media and lobbying tactics to
fight the Air Force decision instead of letting the Court decide
this issue in due course. These delaying tactics are having the
greatest effect on our fellow Americans currently engaged in combat
operations. They need the capability that only the A-29 can
provide. The delay also is preventing the creation of jobs at a
time when there is an urgent need to put Americans to work,”
said Taco Gilbert, Ret. USAF Brigadier General, and Vice President
of ISR Business Development at SNC.
“Unbelievably, this is the second time that Hawker
Beechcraft has prevented a light air support aircraft that has been
thoroughly evaluated by our military from going forward to support
our troops in need. Urgent requests for the A-29 from Afghanistan
continue to languish because Hawker cannot provide an acceptable
capability, but will not let anyone else provide it either,”
Gilbert said.
In a separate and unusual action in the midst of a legal
proceeding, the USAF issued a fact sheet on the LAS acquisition
process and specifically countered claims by Hawker Beechcraft that
it has not received information regarding the evaluation of their
proposal.