U.S. Air Force Chief: The Super Tucano Contract Failure Is An Embarrassment

The US Air Force has cancelled a $355 million contract to supply light attack planes to Afghanistan. (Embraer)

Gen. Schwartz: Handling of Aircraft Contract for Afghan Military an 'Embarrassment' for U.S. Air Force -- National Defense

Air Force leaders once again are having to apologize for errors in awarding weapon contracts. This time the controversy is over a procurement program to provide the Afghan military with light-attack aircraft.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz told reporters in Washington, D.C., Feb. 29 that the service plans to investigate the circumstances that led to the December award of a $355 million contract to produce 20 light attack aircraft to Sparks, Nev.-based Sierra Nevada and Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer. The losing bidder Hawker Beechcraft successfully protested the decision. The Air Force subsequently terminated the program.

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More News On Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz Comments On The Aircraft Contract For The Afghan Military

Schwartz: Super Tucano failure risks AF reputation -- DoD buzz
Cancelled aircraft deal an embarrassment: US general -- AFP
'We'll Work Our Asses Off,' Air Force Chief Pledges In Wake of Super Tucano Fiasco -- Aol Defense
US Air Force must redo Afghan plane contest soon -- Reuters

My Comment: The Air Force chief is right .... the Super Tucano contract failure is an embarrassment. But what is even more embarrassing, is this contract/project.