The USAF has selected the A-29 Super Tucano for its Light Air Support program. The Super Tucano was designed by the Brazilian-based company Embraer but will contract out to Florida-based Sierra Nevada to complete 20 Super Tucanos for $427.5 million. They will be sent to Afghanistan and be given to the Afghan Air Force as US forces leave the country. The Light Air Support program has faced harsh criticism from Air Force officials in the past who did not want to buy low-cost propeller driven attack planes but in times of tightening budgets and the need to hand off aircraft that Afghans will find useful and operable the low cost, high capacity Super Tucano won the contract over some interesting rivals.
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