two 12.7 mm (~.50 cal) machine guns (200 rounds each)
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| Afghanistan |
| First Afghan Super Tucano pilots declared 'combat ready' |
| 2015-12-28 |
| [Janes] The US Air Force (USAF) has graduated the first class of Afghan pilots to be assigned to the Embraer-Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft, the Air Combat Command (ACC) announced on 18 December. Eight Afghan Air Force (AAF) pilots were passed out and declared to be ready for combat operations during the ceremony, which was held at the home station of the 81st Fighter Squadron at Moody Air Force Base (AFB) in Georgia. These crews have completed just under a year of training, and will be redeployed to Afghanistan with their new aircraft in January 2016. The pilots are the first of 30 who will be trained by the 81st Fighter Squadron over the next three years. Although training has reportedly progressed well, the programme suffered a setback earlier this month when two of the Afghan pilots absconded from Moody AFB on 11 December. They have yet to be found. The AAF is scheduled to receive 20 Super Tucanos (with an option for a further 20) to replace the service's current Mil Mi-35 'Hind' helicopters that are due to be retired as the Super Tucanos enter service in January 2016 (although in October it was announced that Afghanistan is looking to procure new Mi-35s from Russia). Powered by a single 1,600 SHP Pratt & Whitney PT6A-68/3 turboprop engine, the Super Tucano carries two 12.7 mm machine guns (200 rounds each) in the wings, and can be configured with additional underwing weaponry such as 20 mm cannon pods, additional 12.7 mm machine guns, rockets pods, precision-guided munitions, and/or 'dumb' bombs of up to 1,500 kg. It has a seven-hour endurance, and can operate from semi-prepared air fields. Once in service, the Super Tucano will augment the machine gun and rocket-equipped Mi-17 'Hip' MD Helicopters MD 530F Cayuse Warrior, and possibly new Mi-35 helicopters in the ground attack and fire- support role. |
| Posted by:Pappy |
| #3 Hella good visibility at least. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2015-12-28 23:26 |
| #2 COMBAT READY? two 12.7 mm (~.50 cal) machine guns (200 rounds each) |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2015-12-28 22:34 |
| #1 Ah see day still lookin for dem two dat done arr ewe en en oh eff tee. |
| Posted by: JHH 2015-12-28 16:07 |