FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. - One of the planes contending to be the Special Operation Command's new multi-mission aircraft will be the topic of a panel discussion during the April 14 TeCMEN Industry Day. The final panel will include representatives from Leidos, Vertex Solutions, and Paramount Group USA, which have teamed up to offer the Bronco II for the Armed Overwatch program, designed to find an armed replacement for the aging and unarmed U-28 Draco. It's intended to perform close combat air support beyond surveillance. The Leidos-Vertex team plans to build it in Crestview, Fla. U.S. special operations forces need a new armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft to fully support all its missions, Army Gen. Richard D. Clarke, head of U.S. Special Operations Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 25. At least four aircraft manufacturing teams are participating in the contest: Sierra Nevada-Embraer; Textron Aviation Defense; Air Tractor; and Leidos.The one-day industry day, hosted by the Technology Coast Manufacturing and Engineering Network (TeCMEN) is at the Destin Fort Walton Beach Convention Center. (Source: GCRL, 03/26/21)
NEWS: A digest of aerospace, defense and technology news from the Gulf Coast I-10 region
