Two fresh proposals by the U.S. Air Force and Navy to buy hundreds of additional jet trainers come with a schedule and list of requirements that seem to rule out aircraft types already in development or operation.Although the proposals have different names-an Advanced Tactical Trainer (ATT) for the Air Force and a Tactical Surrogate Aircraft (TSA) for the Navy-requests for information submitted in October, one each by both branches of the armed forces, present a nearly identical list of prerequisites, except items unique to the Navy's carrier operations. The ATT and TSA must be fast (maximum speed: Mach 0.9-1.2), cheap ($2,000-3,000 hourly operating cost) and ready to be delivered in batches of dozens within four years.
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