Thu, Nov 12, 2009
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?"
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