Según TimesOnline, la RAF está siendo presionada para cortar sus multibillonarias compras de aviones de combate en favor de aviones turbohélice. El general Richards, piensa que el Super Tucano ofrece una alternativa mas rentable que el Eurofighter Typhoon en operaciones contra insurgencia como las que se desarrollan en Afganistán. Un Super Tucano cuesta 5 millones de libras, una pequeña parte de los 60 millones que cuesta el F35 Joint Strike Fighter o los 67 millones que cuesta un Typhoon. El plan estratégico de defensa, recomienda un descenso en los presupuestos de una 20%. El General Richards opina que las operaciones contra insurgencia serán las predominantes, por lo este tipo de material sería el mas adecuado.
Los analistas argumentan que el Tucano es una plataforma de bajo coste a la cual se le pueden acoplar modernas tecnologías. De hecho está siendo evaluado por la US Navy después de sus efectivas actuaciones en Colombia contra las FARC. El Tucano puede volar desde pistas cortas y poco preparadas y tiene una autonomía de unas 6 horas y media, aunque sin capacidad de reabastecimiento en vuelo. Puede cargar 1.5 tm y tiene un consumo de 500 libs de combustible a la hora. Una hora de vuelo del Eurofighter Typhoon cuesta unas 85,000 libras.
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According TimesOnline, the RAF is under pressure to cut its multibillion-pound orders for fast jets in favour of cheaper propeller aircraft as part of a review of defence spending. The suggestion, from General Sir David Richards, has ignited a debate that pitches the head of the Army against his opposite numbers in the other two Services. General Richards, Chief of the General Staff, believes that the Super Tucano offers a cost-effective alternative to fast jets such as the Cold War-era Eurofighter Typhoon in counter-insurgency operations such as those in Afghanistan. Resembling something from the Second World War, a Super Tucano costs about £5 million, a fraction of the £60 million estimated cost of the F35 Joint Strike Fighter ordered for the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carriers or the £67 million of a Typhoon.A strategic defence review expected after the general election is likely to recommend that each Service’s budget is cut by about 20 per cent.
General Richards has argued that state-on-state confrontations will be largely replaced by counter-insurgency operations in the future, making huge savings possible if the Government is prepared to sacrifice ships and tanks for lighter and cheaper but technically advanced matériel.
Air analysts argue that the Tucano offers a cost-effective platform to which high-tech equipment and munitions can be attached. It is being considered by the US Navy after impressive performance in Colombia, where it is used against FARC rebels.
The Brazilian two-seater Tucano can fly from airstrips and loiter for six and a half hours over the battlefield without refuelling, although it cannot refuel in mid-air. It can carry 1.5 tonnes and uses only £500 of fuel an hour. The Eurofighter Typhoon costs nearly £85,000 an hour to fly. The trainer version is in service with the RAF.
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