Private security firm buys attack aircraft

[Riddley]

Security company Blackwater U.S.A. is buying Super Tucano light combat aircraft from the Brazilian manufacturer Embraer. These five ton, single engine, single seat aircraft are built for pilot training, but also perform quite well for counter-insurgency work. Brazil. The Super Tucano is basically a prop driven trainer that is equipped for combat missions. The aircraft can carry up to 1.5 tons of weapons, including 12.7mm machine-guns, bombs and missiles. The aircraft cruises at about 500 kilometers an hour and can stay in the air for about 6.5 hours per sortie.Source (http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htairfo/articles/20070827.aspx)

Errr why? Does this happen often, security firms buying light combat planes. Some people are suggesting that this is a plane that will used only in the U.S. Can anyone say for what??

[Daewoo]

Source (http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htairfo/articles/20070827.aspx)

Errr why? Does this happen often, security firms buying light combat planes. Some people are suggesting that this is a plane that will used only in the U.S. Can anyone say for what??

Yes, this happens often...but usually it is British firms doing the buying.

[HAVOC451]

Here is another article on this aircraft. (click on the pic to go to the article.)
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/super_tucano/super_tucano4.html

"The main missions of the aircraft, in addition to basic and advanced pilot training, are border patrol and counter-insurgency operations."

The notion of privatizing boarder security seems to pop up. It's not stated in the article. I suppose I shouldn't really be suprised.