By Marina Malenic
The Air Force has launched an effort to acquire two types of light cargo aircraft for the nascent Afghan Air Corps.
The “Afghan Basic Trainer/Light Lift Family of Systems” program calls for the purchase of a three-seat and a 10-seat light-mobility aircraft, according a May 21 sources sought synopsis posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website. A contract is expected in the second quarter of calendar year 2011, and deliveries would begin in the fourth quarter.
The program is separate from the Light-Mobility Aircraft (LiMA) acquisition launched last year. LiMA will be used to train partner nation air forces world-wide.
The new Afghanistan effort is expected to yield six three-seat and up to 41 10-seat airplanes. The solicitation specifies that the same avionics package be used for both aircraft.
The first planes are to be stationed at Shindand Air Base in Afghanistan, with Kabul Air Base in line to get aircraft afterward. All of the three-seaters and 26 of the 10- seaters would be based in Afghanistan, with the remainder of the aircraft to bed down at an unspecified U.S. air base.
Training systems are also included in the request. The program is open to foreign bidders and, according to industry insiders, is expected to attract bidders from around the world.