US Army could be given control of new ‘essential’ attack aircraft because Air Force is dragging its heels over buying the ‘old fashioned’ propeller powered planes
- Rep. Michael Waltz told conference that US army should take planes
- Air Force struggling to decide whether they only want more expensive jets
- Propellers can carry the same missiles & bombs but some say easily targeted
US lawmakers could give the Army control of a new attack aircraft because the US Air force have been too slow to decide if they want them.
The Air Force has embroiled itself in 12 years of decision making over whether to phase out the use of propeller aircraft. They have favored the pricier, less user friendly alternative, the jet plane.
‘My frustration is almost palpable at why it is taking so long to get this platform out to where the warfighters need it,’ Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., said Wednesday at a Mitchell Institute event.
An AT-6 Wolverine is one of the planes thought purchased for the US Air Force which could end up with the Army if they do not obtain them. It is as capable in carrying weapons as the jet plane
The AT-6 can be seen flying in formation over a desert. On Tuesday, the Senate approved $210 million for six light attack aircraft
The AT-6 Wolverine is pictured here flying over the sea. Some of the new planes will be used on active missions while others will be used for training
Propeller planes can carry the same type of bombs and missiles but those opposed say they can be easily targetted by sophisticated enemies.
Waltz is concerned that the Air Force is dragging its feet in not jumping to take the light attack aircraft and has asked congress for money to buy the propeller-driven planes.
‘If we can’t move this program forward, then perhaps we need to explore if the Army needs that authority,’ he said.
Rep. Michael Waltz, an ex Green Beret, is concerned that the US Air Force is dragging its feet over whether to buy the propeller driven craft or the more expensive jet powered planes
The Air Force has plans to buy six light attack aircraft. One type will be the A-29 Super Tucano and the other, the AT-6 Wolverine.
The idea is to move some to airbases in Nevada and Florida with the Nevada planes used for training and the Florida craft for active missions.
On Tuesday, the Senate approved $210 million for six attack planes.
According to Phillip Clay, a former Navy pilot, the Air Force should maintain a wing of these types of planes.
The US Army have taken airplanes from the Air Force in the past.