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).