Rapid Fire July 13, 2012: Birds With Clipped Wings
- HawkerBeechcraft has begun low-rate production of its own AT-6C FAC turboprop, “in response to significant indications of interest around the world.”
- Unlucky day yesterday for 2 Colombian EMB-314 Drakos (Super Tucano) pilots, whose light attack/ FAC(Forward Air Control) turboprop was shot down during an operation against FARC narco-terrorists. If FARC used a missile, tensions between Venezuela and Colombia will spike.
- Luckier days for Embraer lately, which just had Boeing sign on to add new weapons to its EMB-314 Super Tucano (A-29 to Brazil’s FAB).
I’m on a horse
Russian bombers could see Alaska from their backyard during recent visits near the US West Coast. The Russians made a similar string of flights 4 years ago. Introducing Spice de Cold War, by Vladimir.
Don’t let your brain slide into weekend mode just yet, there’s still serious work and reading to be done. The CSIS think tank updated its report [PDF] on the ballistic and nuclear dimensions of Iran/Gulf military balance.
