Air Tractor AT-802

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Template:Short description Template:Infobox aircraft

The Air Tractor AT-802 is an American agricultural aircraft that may also be adapted into fire-fighting or armed versions. It first flew in the United States in October 1990 and is manufactured by Air Tractor. The AT-802 carries a chemical hopper between the engine firewall and the cockpit. In the U.S., it is considered a Type III SEAT, or Single Engine Air Tanker.[1]

Development

In its standard configuration, the aircraft utilizes conventional landing gear (two main wheels and a tail wheel). However, a number of aircraft have been converted to the Fire Boss aerial firefighting configuration, which utilizes Wipaire 10000 amphibious floats, so that it can land on a traditional runway or on water. The Fire Boss can scoop water from a lake or river for use on a fire. In addition to the Script error: No such module "convert".[2] standard fuselage-mounted retardant tank, the Fire Boss can have optional Script error: No such module "convert". foam tanks in the floats.[3] Operations with floats installed have been shown to produce a shorter and narrower retardant drop pattern than wheeled AT-802s.[4]

Armed version

File:AirTractor Paris I.jpg
AT-802U prototype at Paris Air Show

In response to the United States Air Force's LAAR program and the growing requirement for light counter-insurgency aircraft,[5] Air Tractor developed an armed model, the AT-802U, in 2008, with engine and cockpit armor, a bulletproof windscreen, self-sealing fuel tanks, and structural reinforcements for the carriage of Script error: No such module "convert". of payload. A reinforced wing spar was certified for 12,000 hours of flight time,[6] and the AT-802U was displayed in 2009 at the Paris Air Show.[7]

The AT-802 has also been used in counter-drug operations in the USSOUTHCOM AOR by the U.S. Department of State as a delivery vehicle for herbicides and defoliants over narcotics production facilities.

Ten AT-802i were converted by IOMAX USA into an armed configuration with Roketsan Cirit 2.75" rockets and guided bombs[8] for the UAE Air Force. The UAE operated them until November 2015[8] when they were replaced by the first three of 24 Archangels on order from Iomax.[9] The Archangel is based on a similar cropduster airframe, that of the Thrush Model 660,[10] however to create the Archangel the basic Model 660 undergoes a much more extensive rebuild in the course of its militarization. Six of the UAE AT-802i were transferred to the Jordanian Air Force[11] with a further three being transferred to the Yemeni Government Forces where they have been used in the 2015 Yemeni Civil War.[8] Reports place Emirati aircraft in Libya flown by contract pilots.[12]

In January 2017, the US State Department approved a deal for twelve AT-802 aircraft for the Kenya Defence Forces,[13] although as of June 2017 a contract for the proposed sale had not been signed.[14]

On 1 August 2022, United States Special Operations Command indicated they would purchase up to 75 AT-802U Sky Warden aircraft to support special operations forces in fighting irregular wars. Air Tractor will manufacture the airframes and L3Harris will then modify them into the Armed Overwatch mission configuration. The planes are intended to perform armed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions at low cost in permissive environments from austere locations, and will allow SOCOM to remove the aging U-28A Draco from combat service. The Sky Warden can deploy guided weapons including the APKWS rocket, GBU-12 laser-guided bomb, and Hellfire and Griffin missiles; it has a six-hour loiter time at a Template:Cvt radius. The initial contract is for $170 million, with a ceiling of $3 billion for purchase of the full fleet. The plan is for five squadrons of 15 planes, one deployed at a time, three undergoing maintenance, and one for training. Initial service entry is expected in 2026, with all delivered and full operating capability reached in 2029.[15][16][17] The AT-802U was given the military designation OA-1K.[18][19]

Variants

File:Paris Air Show 2017 Air tractor Longsword left front.jpg
The AT-802L Longsword at Paris Air Show 2017
File:11-5-6W169.jpg
A Fire Boss on floats dropping its load

Operators

Civil

The aircraft is popular with aerial application and fire fighting operators.

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  • Kennedy Air – 5 AT-802F Fire Boss[27]
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  • Cargolux - 2 AT-802 Fire Boss[28]
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Military and government

File:Montenegrian police AT-802A Fire Boss.jpg
Montenegrin police AT-802A Fire Boss
File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Aerial Firefighting Unit Holds Drill, Year After Carmel Forest Fire.jpg
Israeli AT-802F in a firefighting drill
File:Air Tractor AT-802A.jpg
Air Tractor AT-802A of Avialsa during a fire-fighting in Portugal.
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  • Royal Jordanian Air Force – 6 IOMAX AT-802i Block 1 being upgraded to armed Block 2 standard, of which 1 upgraded aircraft delivered as of January 2018[50][51] and 4 AT-802s supplied by L-3 Corporation and originally intended for Yemen.[52]
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  • Police of Montenegro – 1 AT-802 + 3 AT-802A[53]
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  • Protection and Rescue Directorate of North Macedonia – 3 AT-802A Fire Boss[53]
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  • Ministry of Environment (CEGISA) – 3 AT-802A[55]
  • Avialsa T35 – 15 AT-802 + 14 AT-802F [56]

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  • Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief – 4 (of which 2 on order) AT-802F Fire Boss[57]
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File:Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey
  • General Directorate of Forestry - 3 AT-802 Fire Boss + 3 AT-802A Fire Boss + 1 AT-802F + 1 AT-802AF (A total of 20 aircraft were ordered, with 15 in the Fire Boss configuration and 5 in the land version. As of 2024, 8 aircraft have been delivered, 12 remain to be delivered by 2027.)[59][60]
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File:Flag of Yemen.svg Yemen

Former operators

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Specifications (AT-802)

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See also

Related development

References

Notes

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ AT-802 Fire Boss Factsheet Template:Webarchive at http://www.airtractoreurope.com
  3. ↑ Wipaire Fire Boss Service Manual Template:Webarchive
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Trimble, Stephen. "PARIS AIR SHOW: Cropduster-turned-gunship makes Le Bourget debut". flightglobal.com. 15 June 2009. retrieved 7 November 2010.
  6. ↑ Exciting Product Developments In 2009 Template:Webarchive. airtractor (2010-02-10). Retrieved on 2010-11-04.
  7. ↑ PHOTOS: New gunship flies to Paris Air Show debut – The DEW Line. Flightglobal.com. Retrieved on 2010-11-04.
  8. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Archangel makes show debut – Flightglobal.com, 7 November 2015
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ US State Department approves $1.8 billion in arms deals. Flightglobal.com. Retrieved on 2017-01-17.
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ L3Harris Sky Warden Selected for Armed Overwatch Program. Aviation International News. 3 August 2022.
  17. ↑ US Special Operations Command chooses L3Harris' Sky Warden for Armed Overwatch effort. Defense News. 1 August 2022.
  18. ↑ Drones, planes need new weapons and sensors, says special ops official. Defense News. 10 May 2023.
  19. ↑ SOCOM's New Recon Aircraft to Pack Big Punch. National Defense Magazine. 27 April 2023.
  20. ↑ Photos: Air Tractor AT-802U Air Truck Aircraft Pictures. Airliners.net (2009-06-18). Retrieved on 2010-11-04.
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Trotter Controls Inc
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2025/02/11/primeur-voor-belgie-blusvliegtuigen-starten-vanuit-zwartberg/
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. ↑ Hoyle Flight International 13–19 December 2011, p. 35.
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  37. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  38. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  39. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  40. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  41. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  43. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  44. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  45. ↑ Hoyle Flight International 13–19 December 2011, p. 39.
  46. ↑ Niak ke Sayap Pesawat Pengangkut BBM, Jokowi Hampir Jatuh
  47. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  48. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  49. ↑ טייסת הכיבוי קורקעה בעקבות התרסקות מטוס
  50. ↑ Ayton Air International February 2017, p. 33.
  51. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  52. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  53. ↑ a b Bożinowski, Igor. Bałkańskie AT-802 gotowe do sezonu, "Skrzydlata Polska" nr 8/2019, p. 47 (in Polish)
  54. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  55. ↑ Keijsper 2008, pp. 43.
  56. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  57. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  58. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  59. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  60. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  61. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  62. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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Bibliography

  • Ayton, Mark. "Archangel: Crop Duster to Tank Buster". Air International, Vol. 92, No. 2, February 2017. pp. 24–33. Template:Catalog lookup linkScript error: No such module "check isxn".Script error: No such module "check isxn".Script error: No such module "check isxn".Script error: No such module "check isxn".Script error: No such module "check isxn".Script error: No such module "check isxn".Script error: No such module "check isxn".Script error: No such module "check isxn".Script error: No such module "check isxn"..
  • Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International, 13–19 December 2011. pp. 26–52.
  • Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. Template:ISBN.
  • Keijsper, Gerard. "Water-Bombers Required!" Air Forces Monthly, London: Key Publishing, July 2008 Issue.
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External links

Template:Sister project

Template:Air Tractor aircraft

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