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IgorMKD ::
AIR TRACTOR UVEILS COIN-CONFIGURED AT-802U AT PARIS AIR SHOW
The 48th International Paris Air Show - Le Bourget that took place between 15 and 21 June 2009 will remain remembered by many as one of those rare world-class aviation events on which smaller and less-known aircraft producers took all the attention of decision-makers and members of business elites attending the show. One of those companies shining at Le Bourget was Olney, Texas-based, Air Tractor Inc., a designer and builder of tough crop dusters. This company used Paris Air Show to unveil for the first time in the public its new Air Truck AT-802U, a two-seat armored and armed variant of its well-known fire fighting and agricultural AT-802. Designed to support special operations units from forward locations, the versatile, rugged and dependable AT-802U was created to meet a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the US Department of Defense in 2007 for counterinsurgency (COIN) aircraft that could be used by US forces and potentially other countries, probably including Afghanistan and Iraq.
The AT-802U prototype (registered N4247U, c/n 802-4001) that flew for the first time in May 2009 is able to carry a weapons load of 8,164lb (3,703kg), which can be attached to three hard points under each wing and two centerline stations. Given customer requirements, each wing can be fitted with six hard points and the number of centerline stations can be increased to three, easily expanding the overall number of hard point to 15. The AT-802U prototype was exposed at Paris Air Show armed with a pair of General Dynamics 12.7mm GAU-19/A three-barrel Gatling guns, two M260 rocket launchers and two 500lb (227kg) Mk82 general-purpose bombs. Apart from that, the two-seat AT-802U could also be configured to carry more advanced weapons such as the Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire II air-to-ground missile, Direct Attack Guided Rocket (DAGR) - a laser-guided version of the 2.75 Hydra rocket, and Sniper XR advanced surveillance and targeting pod system. Although not carried by the aircraft on display, an electro-optical/infra-red (EO/IR) turret is due to be positioned under the nose that could be used for surveillance as well as targeting. The imagery from this sensor can be monitored in the cockpit and relayed to users on ground in real-time via ROVER downlink system. Additional sensors can be carried as well, including specialized payloads capable of detecting specific bio-chemical signatures.
Since AT-802U is likely to operate in environments where man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) pose a significant threat, the aircraft is protected by military-grade electronic countermeasures and self-protection systems - an AN/AAR-47 missile approach and laser warning system and AN/ALE-47 countermeasures dispenser system that automatically deploy flare decoys to divert approaching missiles. The aircraft is equipped with the Wulfsberg Flexcomm tactical modular multi-band FM/AM radio communication system that enables to the pilot to maintain complete radio communication with practically any radio system utilized by ground units. To protect against small arms fire, the AT-802U engine, cockpit and belly are armored and the crew is further protected by ballistic windshield and side windows, crash-worthy seats and AmSafe inflatable restraint system. Crew members each have flight control and instrument systems positioned on NVG-compatible instrument panels. The external lighting is also NVG-compatible and the aircraft is equipped with oxygen system that supports safe operations of the crew in high elevations. Being certified for day and night VFR operations, the AT-802U may also be equipped for performing IFR flights.
The AT-802U's tough, spring steel landing gear is FAA certified to land at a maximum gross weight of 16,000lbs (7,257kg) allowing landing of the aircraft with a full load of ordnance or fuel. The fuel tanks in the wings are fitted with self-sealing material capable to stop hazardous leaks. The AT-802U prototype is powered by 1,600shp Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67F turboprop engine. Two auxiliary fuel tanks can be fitted forward of the cockpit in the "Hopper Bay", while drop tanks can be added to the wing and fuselage hard points giving the potential to extend endurance to over ten hours. Alternatively, the large "Hopper Bay" may also be used for accommodating people and/or supplies.
The armored and armed AT-802U is indeed a further development of armored AT-802 that was ordered by the US Department of State for eradication of illegal drug plantations in South America. In 2002, Department of State International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Division (INL) purchased eight modified AT-802 aircraft for narcotic crop eradication in Columbia. Since then, the DOS has purchased additional aircraft, bringing the total of armored AT-802 aircraft in service with the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs' Office of Aviation (INL/A) to about 16. With increased demands for COIN aircraft in the world hotspots, the Air Tractor Inc. believes that recently demonstrated interest in its AT-802U will soon result with first mayor orders coming from the United States Air Force (USAF), Air National Guard (ANG) as well as from a number of US allied countries that are in a need for light, reliable, capable, easy for maintenance and above all affordable manned air-to-ground aircraft. Meanwhile, after its international debut in Paris, the single AT-802U prototype has returned in the United States where a comprehensive weapons and sensor integration trials have continued at Air Tractor Inc. facility in Olney.
COPYRIGHT IGOR BOZINOVSKI
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