Air Tractor AT-802 explained

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 820gal^[2] standard fuselage-mounted retardant tank, the Fire Boss can have optional 35gal 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

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 9000lb 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 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

• – two seat (tandem) cockpit
• – single-seat cockpit
• – two seat (tandem) armored military version, modified with sensors and reinforced for weapons carriage^[20]
• AT-802U Sky Warden – An ISR Strike Aircraft based on AT-802U.^[21] The AT-802U was selected in August 2022 as the winner of the United States Special Operations Command Armed Overwatch programme, with an initial buy of 6 airframes.^[22]
• or AT-802AF – An aerial firefighting model 802 equipped with the Air Tractor Computerized Firegate^[23] designed/developed/serviced by Trotter Controls Inc.^[24]
• AT-802F Fire Boss – AT-802F equipped with Wipaire amphibious floats for operations from land or water
• – An ISR and light-attack aircraft based on AT-802U, which developed by L3 Platform Integration collaboration with Air Tractor.^[25] L3 rebranded it as OA-8 Longsword for Asia-Pacific region.^[26]

Operators

Civil

The aircraft is popular with aerial application operators.

• Kennedy Air – 5 AT-802F Fire Boss^[27]

• Air Spray
• Buffalo Airways
• Conair Group
• Early Bird Air Ltd^{[28] [29] [30]}

Military and government

• Queensland Fire and Emergency Services^[31]
• South Australian Country Fire Service^[32]

• Military of Burkina Faso 1 AT-802^[33]

• Government of Northwest Territories^[34]

• National Forestry Corporation – 3 AT-802F ^[35]

• National Police of Colombia – 9 AT-802 ^[36]
• National System of Disaster and Risk Management – 2 AT-802 ^[36]

• Croatian Air Force – 5 AT-802A Fire Boss + 1 AT-802F as of November 2014^{[37] [38]}

• Egyptian Air Force – 12 AT-802U (acquired from the UAE in 2016, first spotted in service in January 2018)^{[39] [40] [41]}

• Military of Gambia^[42]

• Pertamina^[43]

• Israel Police in Conjuction with Israeli Fire Department – 14 AT-802F, purchased second-hand from Spain (of which 2 formerly were Fire Boss, but exchanged for standard configuration aircraft)^{[44] [45]} 1 crashed due to mechanical malfunction.^[46]

• 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^{[47] [48]} and 4 AT-802s supplied by L-3 Corporation and originally intended for Yemen.^[49]

• Police of Montenegro – 1 AT-802 + 3 AT-802A^[50]

• Protection and Rescue Directorate of North Macedonia – 3 AT-802A Fire Boss^[50]

• Ministry of Internal Administration - contracts out several AT-802 Fire Boss for aerial firefighting^[51]

• Ministry of Environment (CEGISA) – 3 AT-802A^[52]
• Avialsa T35 – 15 AT-802 + 14 AT-802F ^[53]

• Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief – 4 (of which 2 on order) AT-802F Fire Boss^[54]

• Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency – 4 AT-802 Fire boss^[55]

• 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.)^{[56] [57]}

• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources – contracts out 2 AT-802Fs from Aero Spray of Appleton, Minnesota
• US State Department Air Wing – 2 AT-802s, used to spray herbicides on narcotics fields
• United States Forest Service – Multiple AT-802s, used for aerial firefighting
• United States Special Operations Command – contract for an initial six aircraft with a potential delivery of up to 75 aircraft signed in August 2022 for the Armed Overwatch programme.^[58]

• Yemeni Air Force^[59]

Former operators

• United Arab Emirates Air Force – 24 IOMAX AT-802i BPA^[60]

References

Bibliography

• Ayton, Mark. "Archangel: Crop Duster to Tank Buster". Air International, Vol. 92, No. 2, February 2017. pp. 24–33. .
• 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. .
• Keijsper, Gerard. "Water-Bombers Required!" Air Forces Monthly, London: Key Publishing, July 2008 Issue.
• Book: Simpson, R. W. . Airlife's General Aviation . 1995 . Airlife Publishing . Shrewsbury . 31–32 .

External links

• Air Tractor website

Notes and References

1. Web site: Interagency Standards for Fire and Aviation Operations 2007, Chapter 17 . 2007-08-31 . National Interagency Fire Center . https://web.archive.org/web/20070928013524/http://www.nifc.gov/red_book/2007/Chapter17.pdf . 2007-09-28 . dead .
2. http://www.airtractoreurope.com/aviones/ficha/ficha_tecnica/1 AT-802 Fire Boss Factsheet
3. http://www.wipaire.com/pdf/service_manuals/1002545.pdf Wipaire Fire Boss Service Manual
4. Web site: "Evaluation of Long Term Retardant Drop Patterns from Air Tractor 802 Amphibious Float and Wheel Equipped Aircraft", Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada, February 2006 . 2013-02-24 . 2015-01-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150109004224/http://wildfire.fpinnovations.ca/38/802Report.htm . dead .
5. Trimble, Stephen. "PARIS AIR SHOW: Cropduster-turned-gunship makes Le Bourget debut". flightglobal.com. 15 June 2009. retrieved 7 November 2010.
6. http://www.airtractor.com/new-products-for-2010 Exciting Product Developments In 2009
7. http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2009/06/photos-new-gunship-flies-to-pa.html PHOTOS: New gunship flies to Paris Air Show debut – The DEW Line
8. . Yemen Air Force Flying ex-UAE AT 802 BPAs. AirForces Monthly. Key Publishing. December 2015.
9. . Third UAE Archangel delivered. AirForces Monthly. Key Publishing. December 2015.
10. Web site: Iomax Archangel. . Iomax.
11. https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/dubai-archangel-makes-show-debut-418747/ Archangel makes show debut
12. Web site: Delalande. Arnaud. Erik Prince's Mercenaries Are Bombing Libya. http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20170117180542/https://warisboring.com/erik-princes-mercenaries-are-bombing-libya-88fcb8e55292. dead. 17 January 2017. War Is Boring. 14 March 2017. 14 January 2017.
13. https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-state-department-approves-18-billion-in-arms-d-433444/ US State Department approves $1.8 billion in arms deals
14. News: Stevenson. Beth. Paris: Longsword light attack and }} aircraft makes its debut]. Flightglobal. 20 June 2017. 21 June 2017.
15. Web site: US special operations forces will soon get support from a rugged new aircraft. Kelsey D. Atherton, Popular Science, August 3, 2022. August 3, 2022.
16. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2022-08-03/l3harris-sky-warden-selected-armed-overwatch-program L3Harris Sky Warden Selected for Armed Overwatch Program
17. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/08/01/us-special-operations-command-chooses-l3harris-sky-warden-for-armed-overwatch-effort/ US Special Operations Command chooses L3Harris' Sky Warden for Armed Overwatch effort
18. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/05/10/drones-planes-need-new-weapons-and-sensors-says-special-ops-official/ Drones, planes need new weapons and sensors, says special ops official
19. https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2023/4/27/socoms-new-recon-aircraft-to-pack-big-punch SOCOM's New Recon Aircraft to Pack Big Punch
20. http://www.airliners.net/photo/Air-Tractor-AT-802U/1541355/L/&sid=83b35354842781bae8574ad3dc203c99 Photos: Air Tractor AT-802U Air Truck Aircraft Pictures
21. Web site: Sky Warden ISR Strike Aircraft L3Harris Fast. Forward.. 2022-02-01. www.l3harris.com. en.
22. Web site: [e-mail] . 2022-08-01 . L3Harris and Air Tractor Team Selected for USSOCOM Armed Overwatch Contract . 2022-08-01 . Air Tractor AT-802U . en-US.
23. Web site: AT802A. Air Tractor.
24. http://www.Trottercontrols.com Trotter Controls Inc
25. Web site: L3 Technologies. AT-802L Longsword. 1 February 2022. AIRFORCE TECHNOLOGY.
26. News: Avalon 2017: L3 and Air Tractor marketing AT-802L armed turboprop as OA-8 Longsword. IHS Jane's. Gareth. Jennings. Melbourne. 2017-03-01. 2017-05-02.
27. Web site: Fire Boss Aircraft operated by Kennedy Air in Australia. kennedyair.com.au. 2024-02-11.
28. Web site: Early Bird Air Ltd. Crop Spraying Strathmore Home. 2021-09-10. www.earlybirdairltd.ca. en.
29. Web site: Seeley. Pamela. Early Bird Air Ltd.. 2021-09-10. Strathmore Now. en-gb.
30. Web site: Association. Alberta Aerial Applicators. 2013-06-30. Alberta Aerial Applicators Association. 2021-09-10. albertaaerialapplicators.com. en.
31. Web site: aerial assets.
32. Web site: SA Country Fire Service . 2024-03-06 . SA Country Fire Service . en-AU.
33. Hoyle Flight International 13–19 December 2011, p. 35.
34. Web site: N.W.T. gov't spends $26M on 8 new Fireboss water bombers. www.cbc.ca. 2016-03-16.
35. News: Chilean Government acquires modern planes to fight forest fires.
36. News: La Aviación de la Policía Nacional ahora cuenta con aviones bomberos para combatir incendios forestales.
37. News: 3 million euro worth Air Tractor arrived at Zemunik . www.zadarskilist.hr. 18 November 2014. 2016-11-24.
38. Web site: AT 802 Fire Boss training commences in Zemunik. Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia. 11 December 2014. 28 November 2016. 29 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161129024040/https://www.morh.hr/en/news/news/10714-at-802-fire-boss-training-commences-in-zemunik.html. dead.
39. Web site: Abu Dhabi IDEX Show Highlights Key UAE Developments. ainonline.com. 23 February 2017.
40. Web site: The AT-802U has been acquired by the UAE, Jordan, Egypt and Kenya. shephardmedia.com. 28 September 2016.
41. Web site: Binnie. Jeremy. AT-802 aircraft seen at Egyptian airbase. IHS Jane's 360. 23 January 2018. https://archive.today/20180123150854/http://www.janes.com/article/77262/at-802-aircraft-seen-at-egyptian-airbase. 23 January 2018. London. 22 January 2018. dead.
42. Hoyle Flight International 13–19 December 2011, p. 39.
43. http://nasional.kompas.com/read/2016/10/18/12381251/naik.ke.sayap.pesawat.pengangkut.bbm.jokowi.hampir.jatuh Niak ke Sayap Pesawat Pengangkut BBM, Jokowi Hampir Jatuh
44. News: Israel's new firefighting squadron . Arie . Egozi . Flightglobal . 2011-08-06 . 2011-09-07.
45. News: Israel Firefighting Squadron Acquires More Air Tractor AT-802F Firebombers . Air Tractor News . 2015-08-06 . 2016-12-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161202040131/http://www.airtractor.com/news/2015/08/israel-firefighting-squadron-acquires-more-air-tractor-802f-firebombers . 2016-12-02 . dead .
46. https://www.haaretz.co.il/1.1676809 טייסת הכיבוי קורקעה בעקבות התרסקות מטוס
47. Ayton Air International February 2017, p. 33.
48. Web site: Jennings. Gareth. Jordan receives first upgraded AT-802 turboprop, five more to follow. IHS Jane's 360. 25 January 2018. https://archive.today/20180125235751/http://www.janes.com/article/77357/jordan-receives-first-upgraded-at-802-turboprop-five-more-to-follow. 25 January 2018. London. 25 January 2018.
49. Jordanian Border Patrol Aircraft in Malta. Air International. February 2018. 94. 2. 14. 0306-5634.
50. Bożinowski, Igor. Bałkańskie AT-802 gotowe do sezonu, "Skrzydlata Polska" nr 8/2019, p. 47 (in Polish)
51. Web site: Fogos. Portugal precisa de adquirir quatro aviões Canadair. www.dn.pt. 12 July 2018 . pt. 2019-09-16.
52. Keijsper 2008, pp. 43.
53. Web site: Flota de Aviones . Avialsa . 2011-09-07 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110904190911/http://www.avialsa.com/flota_aviones/ . 2011-09-04 .
54. Web site: K . G. . V Slovenijo prispelo še drugo letalo za gašenje air tractor . 2023-11-28 . rtvslo.si . sl.
55. News: Här är Sveriges nya brandflygplan . sv . . Robin Persson . SVT Nyheter . 3 June 2020 . 15 July 2020.
56. Web site: aerovet . 2024-07-24 . Eighth AT-802 delivered to Türkiye . 2024-08-19 . scramble.nl . en-GB.
57. Web site: 2023-06-12 . Air Tractor Europe agrees to sell 20 AT-802 firefighting aircraft to Turkey. . 2024-08-19 . Air Tractor Europe . en-US.
58. Web site: [e-mail] . 2022-08-01 . L3Harris and Air Tractor Team Selected for USSOCOM Armed Overwatch Contract . 2022-08-01 . Air Tractor AT-802U . en-US.
59. Web site: Binnie . Jeremy . Yemeni pilots carry out airstrikes with AT-802 turboprops. 2016-10-15 . IHS Jane's Defence Weekly . 29 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20161018213940/http://www.janes.com/article/55635/yemeni-pilots-carry-out-airstrikes-with-at-802-turboprops . 2016-10-18 . dead .
60. Web site: UAE AT-802 light strike turboprops flying out of Saudi airbase.