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Second pilot ejected and survived, and the crash is under investigation.
On June 22, an A-29 Super Tucano participating in the US Air Force's Light Attack Experiment (OA-X) program crashed while flying over the Red Rio Bombing Range—part of the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. US Navy Lt. Christopher Carey Short, from Canandaigua, New York, died in the crash. Another pilot ejected and suffered only minor injuries.
The Super Tucano, a joint entry into the OA-X program by Brazil's Embraer and Sierra Nevada Corporation, is one of two aircraft designs being tested as part of the second phase of OA-X by pilots attached to the Air Force's 49th Wing at Holloman Air Force Base. The goal of the testing is to determine whether the aircraft matches the Air Force's needs for flying close air support and reconnaissance missions for combat and counterinsurgency in "uncontested environments" (that is, operational areas where the enemy lacks air defenses). Such a niche is currently occupied by the A-10 and other more advanced aircraft.
The flight over the Red Rio range was one of multiple scenario test missions, including close air support, combat search and rescue, and "armed overwatch" (combat reconnaissance). Both the A-29 and the other aircraft being flown in the OA-X tests—the Textron Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine—are turboprop aircraft based on similar versions of Pratt & Whitney's PT6A-68 engine.
[...] The cause of the crash is still under investigation, and no preliminary findings have been released. In a statement, an Embraer spokesperson said, "The SNC/Embraer team is fully cooperating with the USAF in its investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available."
Related: Air Force Tests Two Turboprops as Potential A-10 "Replacements"
(Score: 2) by BenJeremy on Thursday June 28 2018, @11:52AM
Yes, they've updated the A-10 many times in its decades of service... I'm talking about a ground-up update, modernize the airframe, engineer it with the same durability, but new materials, completely new electronics, etc... maybe a few minor improvements in the aerodynamics. Serviceability is the biggest issue the Air Force cries about when demanding the replacement... but that could be improved just by a technology/airframe update.
The predator drone uses the same airframe style... it is tremendously functional as a platform. I don't know why that needs to change.
If you absolutely need to use a pilot, at least give them the legendary protection that the A-10 provides... I don't believe any of the contenders come close to that.