Air Tractor Military - The Sky Wardens LRIP 1 sextet will be produced from 2023 at Air Tractor's Olney, Texas plant as a "green aircraft" with an ultra-strong wing. According to Air Tractor spokesman Tom Menker, the company recently expanded its facilities there with a particular focus on the AT-802 line and has plans for further expansion in the near future.
He added that 2022 will be a record year for the Ag aircraft manufacturer, but assured that it will have enough capacity to meet supply requirements for Sky Warden. Combined with the Common Launch Tube favored by the Sky Warden special operations community (capable of launching Griffin missiles, drones, and other small munitions), the larger payload capacity of the single-engine aircraft designated for Armed Overwatch was certainly appealing.
Air Tractor Military
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The green AT-802s are flown from Texas to the L3 Harris Modification Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where they can add avionics, store wagons and other equipment packages. Testing of the weapon system should begin later this year or soon thereafter, and SOCOM expects the Sky Warden to reach initial operational capability in fiscal 2026 and full operational capability in 2029. The AT-802U combines the rugged platform
Air Tractor At-U Surveillance And Light Attack Aircraft
Sky Warden air tractor with L3Harris' mature mission solutions. L3Harris Technologies and Air Tractor have partnered to produce the AT-802U Sky Warden, a low-cost, production-ready aircraft designed for aerial reconnaissance, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and other missions in extreme combat environments.
The Sky Warden is based on the rugged and capable Air Tractor AT-802, which has the largest payload capacity of any single-engine turboprop aircraft. It features world-class communications, sensors and airborne ISR solutions from L3Harris. The platform is supported by the company's extensive operational ISR experience.
The Sky Warden name refers to two class-leading multi-mission special operations combat platforms. It combines the deep history of the Vietnam era A-1E Sky Raider with the modern U-28, which uses the designation "Varden" in combat operations.
The Sky Warden brings together its heritage and capabilities to provide a single aircraft capable of performing multiple mission roles, breaking through the stack. Last year, SOCOM commander Gen. Richard Clarke told Congress that four operational squadrons of 15 armed Overwatch aircraft, one deployed at all times and the other three in rotational training in the United States.
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At-U Engine And Performance
Training for conversion to fifth aircraft squadron 10-15. No flight costs were given by L3 Harris, but a simple math subtraction from the program's original $170 million contract for six low-speed initial production aircraft and systems announced Monday puts the initial Sky Wardens in the region of $20 million per
copy. . The AT-802U light attack and surveillance aircraft is a heavily armored version of the AT-802 agricultural and firefighting aircraft developed by Air Tractor. The aircraft is in service with the air forces of Jordan, Egypt and the UAE.
An optional Compact Multichannel Data Link (CMDL) system is compatible with Remote Enhanced Imaging (ROVER) receivers. It provides commanders with a real-time view of the battlefield and transmits live video to other aircraft, air operations centers or joint terminal attack controllers in the field.
Luke Savoie, president of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance at L3 Harris, told me that the AT-802U's highly integrated mission system, sensor and avionics package was another differentiator for the Sky Warden. Its ability to carry multiple sensors and up to seven tactical line-of-sight radios could be attractive to special forces ground teams.
Weapon Systems
The aircraft can climb at a maximum speed of 3,000 ft/m and requires a landing run of 366 m and a minimum take-off distance of 207 m. It can have up to 450 flight hours per year at an average cost of under $400.
The multi-mission platform provides the operator flexibility and agility to detect, track and counter threats. It combines the capabilities of larger ISR and armed aircraft into a versatile package. It is also capable of taking off and landing on unimproved airstrips - allowing the aircraft to be deployed alongside special mission operators.
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"Anyone who sees the need for a multi-role aircraft that can fly for 11 hours, have up to four sensors, six to seven tactical radios and beyond-line-of-sight radios, and can carry 6,000 pounds, should know that it is
capable of production. it parallels all our other commitments,” says Savoie. The US Special Operations Command has selected an aircraft based on the famous plant powder to carry out the Armed Overwatch mission to conduct counter-terrorism operations and irregular warfare in places like Africa.
Survivability Of At-U
The AT-802U Sky Warden, manufactured by L3Harris Technologies, beat out LHX and agricultural aircraft manufacturer Air Tractor, with familiar aircraft from Textron Aviation and Sierra Nevada meeting SOCOM's requirements. The contract award puts an exciting aircraft in SOCOM's hands, allowing the Air Force to operationally test the coveted light attack concept.
SOCOM told Defense News that the U-28As will not seek retirement as they enter service as Sky Wardens and the Draco remains essential to ISR and humanitarian operations. The Sky Warden, larger than the AT-6, looked more militaristic than the Air Tractor AT-802 crop duster from which it was derived and was considered a larger shot that was unknown to the US military.
What tipped the scales? "The difference is in the delivery systems and the overall package," says Savoie. "The other [Armed Overwatch contestants] are using an aircraft mission system that was never intended to do the things [SOCOM] wanted it to do."
Earlier this year, the field was narrowed down to three contenders - L3 Harris' Sky Warden, Textron Aviation Defense's AT-6 Wolverine and Sierra Nevada Corp's MC-145B Coyote. The Armed Overwatch mission is primarily envisioned as a combination of the ISR role covered by SOCOM's Pilatus PC-12-based U-28A Draco and as an extension of the Air Force's discontinued Light Attack Aircraft Program (2009-2020).
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The AT-802U light attack and surveillance aircraft is a heavily armored version of the AT-802 agricultural and firefighting aircraft developed by Air Tractor. The aircraft is in service with the air forces of Jordan, Egypt and the UAE.
The Sky Warden team has been selected for the US Special Operations Command's weaponized Overwatch program. The Indefinite Delivery Contract (IDIQ) covers $3 billion in costs for the delivery of up to 75-seat fixed-wing aircraft, with an initial program contract of $170 million.
Sierra Nevada's MC-145, a twin-engine high-wing turboprop aircraft with short takeoff and landing, light cargo and passenger transport, is in service with the Polish PZL M28 Skytruck, the Air Force Special Operations Command's C-145A Combat. Coyote.
The MC-145's ability to self-deploy, carrying its own support team, specialist operators or additional aircrew casualties, was seen as a leg up on its appearance as a cargo aircraft. AT-802U Cockpit and Avionics The AT-802U incorporates a dual-position cockpit that includes dual flight controls, heads-up displays (HUD), electronic flight instrument system, tactical modular airborne Wulfsberg Flexcomm multiband FM/AM.
Wescam MX-15Di L3 Drawer Sensor Tower System /UHF Radio. The AT-802U offers higher speed and maneuverability than most helicopters, drones and cargo planes. It has a top speed of 394 km/h and a stall of 169 km/h with the wings down.
The aircraft's patrol speed is 333 km/h and the maximum range when equipped with additional fuel tanks is 2414 km. The Air Tractor AT-802 multi-mission aircraft builds on a 50-year heritage of durable, simple and reliable aircraft designed
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especially to operate in harsh terrain with virtually no infrastructure. Air Tractor can be deployed in fields and forests in Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, China, Spain, Eastern Europe, Saudi Arabia and South Korea
. – supported by an international logistics network 24/7. The AT-802U is the largest single-engine turboprop in the world, with a maximum gross weight of 16,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 8,000 pounds (3,629 kg).
Since it first flew in 1990, more than 770 AT-802 aircraft have been produced in various FAA-certified versions. This brings 8+ hours of endurance across a wide range of mission possibilities. "Mission systems, platforms, direct operators and support teams have supported more than 1.3 million ISR and attack missions for special combat operations over the past 10 years," said Luke Savoie, president of Aviation Services, L3Harris.
"Combining this expertise with Air Tractor, one of the world's largest turboprop OEMs, allows our team to develop and deliver a mature platform that can operate anywhere in the world and provides the tools needed to support any mission
." The Air Tractor's rugged design and global support perfectly meet the needs of special operations forces conducting their missions with a low profile and small logistical footprint. Air Tractor, Inc. As the company's president Jim Hirsch himself said: "Air Tractor aircraft are designed to operate in harsh conditions with limited infrastructure.
They offer unparalleled flexibility, an essential component for special mission operators. The aircraft is powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67F turboprop engine driving a Hartzell aluminum propeller. The engine develops a maximum continuous power of 1600 hp at 1700 rpm.
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The aircraft's fuel capacity is 1438 liters, which can be increased by adding additional fuel tanks. The AT-802U offers distinct advantages over other airborne platforms in terms of stability and operational readiness. The AT-802 is very simple to maintain.
The airframe is designed for easy field repair with basic mechanical tools. It is made of affordable materials and uses certified OEM parts available worldwide. Every part of the aircraft is designed for heavy use in harsh operational environments.
Compared to other aircraft, the cost per flight hour for the AT-802U is hundreds of dollars - not thousands or tens of thousands. It doesn't need maintenance facilities and teams of technicians to keep flying. The AT-802U is the largest single-engine turboprop in the world, with a maximum gross weight of 16,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 8,000 pounds (3,629 kg).
Since it first flew in 1990, more than 770 AT-802 aircraft have been produced in various FAA-certified versions. This brings 8+ hours of endurance across a wide range of mission possibilities. Wing and fuselage hardpoints can be armed with a variety of weapon systems, including dual .50 cal.
GAU-19/A three-barrel howitzers, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, twin M260 seven-barrel rocket launchers, and Mk-82 500-pound bombs. Heavy points can be increased to 15 to carry additional weapons. The AT-802U Sky Warden is based on the rugged and capable Air Tractor AT-802, which has the largest payload capacity of any single-engine turboprop aircraft.
It features world-class communications, sensors and airborne ISR solutions from L3Harris. The platform is supported by the company's extensive operational ISR experience. The full unlimited quantity, unlimited supply contract includes a $3 billion spending cap. According to the press release, L3Harris currently plans to quickly convert the Armed Overwatch demo prototype to a production configuration "to enable customer weapon system testing within approximately six months."
The multi-mission platform provides the operator flexibility and agility to detect, track and counter threats. It combines the capabilities of larger ISR and armed aircraft into a versatile package. It is also purpose-built and robustly designed to take off and land on unimproved runways - allowing the aircraft to be deployed alongside special mission operators.
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