These 5 Companies Will Compete to Build a New Attack Airplane

The U.S. military is in the market for a new propeller-powered attack aircraft. That could mean a big payday for one of five under-the-radar contractors set to battle it out for the contract.

Even in a world of long-range bombers and supersonic fighter jets, there's still a need for smaller, less expensive planes that can fly surveillance and provide close air support for ground forces. The U.S. Special Operations Command could spend as much as $1.5 billion on these planes in the years to come -- but first one candidate must prove its worth.

Special Operations Command has awarded a total of $19.2 million to Textron (NYSE: TXT), L3Harris (NYSE: LHX), Leidos Holdings (NYSE: LDOS), as well as privately held Sierra Nevada and MAG Aerospace to fund construction of five prototype designs. The planes are set to participate in a series of demonstrations at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida through March 2022.

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Source Fool.com