With the A-85NT now in production the HCSAF have begun development of the next version of it's main COIN aircraft (which is the most numerous aircraft in HCSAF service and certainly the one that sees the most action). The next version of the aircraft will be known as the A-85QEA (Quiet Enhanced Attack) and could enter service late in this decade.
Key to the QEA will be quietness, it will be a fully electric aircraft fuelled by energy cells. The HCSAF say that replacing the existing engine with an electric motor will reduce noise emissions by 70% and IR emissions by 80%. A new propeller and aerodynamic changes will reduce noise still further. The airframe will also be modified to reduce the radar cross section.
A development aircraft to prove the all-electric concept is due to fly "by 2114".
