Europe considering a Light Combat Aircraft

[Kirkhill]

Europe eyes future light-attack capability through €15m EDF project

A new turboprop-powered light-attack and surveillance aircraft could be on the cards after the European Defence Fund outlined plans to invest €15 million ($17 million) in early-stage design work for such a platform.

www.flightglobal.com

Something along the lines of the Pilatus PC21 used for training.Visually reminiscent of the old P51 Mustangs.

Candidates could be Pilatus PC9, Embraer Super Tucano and the Air Tractor Sky Warden / Sky Raider.

 

[Kirkhill]

Portugal receives first NATO-configured A-29N aircraft

Portugal’s Air Force has taken delivery of its first A-29N Super Tucano aircraft, marking the introduction of a new training and light combat capability and making Portugal the first European operator of the platform in its NATO-configured version. The delivery

defence-blog.com

I guess if you are going to have tobuy trainers you might as well make them combat effective.

 

[ytz]

For us.

In the F-35 v. Gripen debate, is there a silent third option?

Could an even less capable aircraft cut the Gordian Knot that's strangling Canada's fighter procurement?

open.substack.com

Austria just went down the dual fleet with a trainer route.

Austria Buys M-346F Light Fighters

The M-346Fs will give Austria a new air combat boost, supplementing the country's long-troubled Eurofighter Typhoon fleet.

www.twz.com

I think this is our best path.

 

[Kirkhill]

A bit more on the turbo-prop option for Europeans

EU to Develop Light Turboprop Combat Aircraft to Fight Drones - Militarnyi

The European Commission has decided to allocate €15 million for the first phase of developing a light multirole combat aircraft with stealth capabilities.

militarnyi.com

"The aircraft is primarily intended to provide close air support to ground units on the battlefield, intercept drones, conduct reconnaissance, coordinate strikes and target designation, as well as perform civilian tasks, including search-and-rescue operations and border monitoring."

I don't know about the CAS or STAR bits. Ukraine doesn't offer much support for survival in those roles. UxVs generally seem a better bet. But there may be something in the rear area security, C-UAS mission. Everything else seems to me to be a function of sensors that could just as easily be carried by UAVs with their data analyzed on the ground.

 

[ytz]

Stealth turboprop?

I have questions. I question whether it's simply better to create optional packages that helicopters and tiltrotors can use. At the end of the day CUAS has to be substantially organic.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

A bit more on the turbo-prop option for Europeans

EU to Develop Light Turboprop Combat Aircraft to Fight Drones - Militarnyi

The European Commission has decided to allocate €15 million for the first phase of developing a light multirole combat aircraft with stealth capabilities.

militarnyi.com

"The aircraft is primarily intended to provide close air support to ground units on the battlefield, intercept drones, conduct reconnaissance, coordinate strikes and target designation, as well as perform civilian tasks, including search-and-rescue operations and border monitoring."

I don't know about the CAS or STAR bits. Ukraine doesn't offer much support for survival in those roles. UxVs generally seem a better bet. But there may be something in the rear area security, C-UAS mission. Everything else seems to me to be a function of sensors that could just as easily be carried by UAVs with their data analyzed on the ground.

Mind you certain European countries still need to maintain a COIN/Colonial war option that they can use as required and that has to run on a tight budget.