It’s no secret that Air Force Special Operations Command has been shopping around for a cheap, exportable close-air-support platform — preferably a bird that can swiftly approach a fight, then slowly loiter above the fray for protracted periods of time. Everything I’ve heard on AFSOC’s acquisition plan pointed to either the T-6 Texan (already used as a trainer) or the Brazilian made Super Tucano as the platform of choice. Now, it seems, there’s a dark horse candidate moving up the ranks, one that purportedly out performs the legendary A-10 Warthog.
Of all the planes that might meet the Air Force’s requirement, the SM-27 Machete from Hawaii-based start-up Stavatti is seemingly the least viable. But appearances can be deceiving. If and when the Machete takes flight, it might surprise a lot of people – even besting the tried-and-true, tank-busting A-10 Thunderbolt II close air support jet in some performance specs
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