Hawker Beechcraft officials said they are “confounded and troubled” by the Air Force’s decision to exclude their AT-6 platform from further consideration in the service’s Light Air Support aircraft competition. In a Nov. 18 release, they stated that the Air Force notified them of this development in a letter, but provided “no basis for the exclusion.” They said this news was troubling because their company, which has been teamed with Lockheed Martin in offering the AT-6, has been “working closely with the Air Force for two years and, with our partners, have invested more than $100 million preparing to meet the Air Force’s specific requirements.” The officials said they have requested a debriefing. The Air Force has said it intends to acquire 20 LAS platforms for the Afghan air force. Embraer’s Super Tucano also has been in the running for LAS.
Billy Mitchell: Lessons a Hundred Years Hence
Dec. 16, 2025
Exactly 100 years ago, on Dec. 17, 1925, Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell was convicted by court-martial for violating an order that required approval before he could engage with the media. Mitchell’s provocative thoughts and unorthodox methods sought attention for a cause that he saw as uniquely American.
