The OA-X program has the US Air Force looking at new horizons for close air support in the identification of a cost-effective light-attack aircraft to supplement the legendary A-10 Warthog. The characteristic of its 30mm cannon, with an aim toward carrier-based American air superiority in close support missions, was the A-10, which has been the legacy carrier since then. The Air Force now looks for alternatives to do so more economically in low-threat environments.
OA-X, or “Observation, Attack, concept,” would provide a lightweight, highly maneuverable aircraft that would carry an extensive payload of sensors and weapons. The aircraft will be flown by a pilot and copilot/observer, conducting strike and close air support missions in direct support of ground troops. It also hopes that such a plane will run well below the cost of the A-10 or the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The F-35 flies at $42,000 per hour, and the A-10 flies for $17,000 per hour; the OA-X wants to cut this down to about $4,000 to $5,000 per hour.
Three aircraft have been shortlisted for the OA-X trials at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico: the A-29 Super Tucano, the AT-6 Wolverine, and the Scorpion.
The A-29 Super Tucano is a turboprop aircraft developed by Sierra Nevada Corporation with partner Embraer Defense & Security for aerial reconnaissance and light air support duties. It features twin internally mounted .50-cal machine guns with the option to carry additional under-wing armaments, including 20mm gun pods and MK-81/MK-82 bombs. The Super Tucano has already been selected by the Air Force under its Light Air Support program for the Afghan Air Force.
Another solid competitor is the AT-6 Wolverine offered by Textron Aviation. It’s a version of the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II trainer but with twin updated engines and a glass cockpit, plus seven wing hard points for weapons and sensors. It’s the first fixed-wing aircraft to successfully use 2.75″ laser-guided rockets, and its payload can include Hellfire missiles and Paveway II laser-guided bombs.
The Scorpion is the only jet in the competition and a self-funded project by Textron AirLand. First unveiled in 2013, the Scorpion features six external hardpoints and an internal payload bay with a total weight capacity of nearly 10,000 pounds. It’s also the cheapest to operate, at only $3,000 per hour.
The Air Force had authorized the study as it was facing a manning crisis, with a need to increase its fleet of combat squadrons. For his part, Gen. Dave Goldfein, Chief of the Air Force, showed support for the study about an affordable light-attack platform that could be maintained and flown in support of ground forces in low-end conflicts.
While the A-10 will continue to fly through 2025, the OA-X aircraft could provide a valuable resource to help the Air Force maintain its readiness levels and ease a pilot shortage. These aircraft might also be used to help revive Air Force Reserve and Air Guard squadrons that have seen their flight time dwindle as older aircraft are retired.
Having assigned a budget of $2.4 billion for the program, the Air Force is eyeing a cost-effective solution that gives an affordable partial replacement for the A-10 Thunderbolt, which will bring down projected operating costs by up to 75 percent.